Hey- Rich here... Best part about summer in the NW is getting to visit with all my Texas and Gulf Coast music pals when they come through the area. Had some great big fun in July when I had the privilege of playing with Lyle Lovett and his Large Band at Maryhill Winery.

Despite all my years of experience, stepping onstage with 18+ world class musicians remains equal parts thrilling and terrifying for the first few minutes. Because the solos fly fast and furious all over the stage, Lyle called me over for a huddle and a heads up on when to take my turn. I pasted on a loopy grin and stood like a relay runner poised for the hand-off. When cellist John Hayden finished his eight bars, I stepped up into the spotlight, dove off the deep end and blew my face off. When I came up for air eight bars later, the guys in the band all shot big smiles my way. Whew! Momentary lapse in confidence restored.


As I got ready to head offstage, Lyle told me to stick around and called out another “audible” to the band. Lead guitarist Mitch Watkins and I would be trading licks on an extended jam at the end of the tune “My Baby Don’t Tolerate.” Fortunately, Mitch went easy on me (fingers on a fretboard can be way faster than lips on reeds) – and the crowd went wild.

When I wasn’t playing, I got to check out the funky stage moves of Lyles’s three legendary background singers, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Sir Harry Bowen and Reverend Willie Green who were set up stage right of my spot. After the show, they each took time to offer very kind words and let me know they dug what I brought to the party. For a musician, it just doesn’t get any better than that :-)