This Saturday's installment in the Live Acoustic Venue Association's concert series at Abounding Grace Sanctuary features Colorado troubadour Chuck Pyle.
Every now and then, a musician comes along who touches you deeply and inexplicably. For me, Pyle was one of those musicians.
Before he performed at Abounding Grace in February 2011, I had watched several YouTube videos of him and read many glowing reviews so I could write a calendar entry to promote his show. But it wasn't until I experienced his mesmerizing live performance that I truly came to appreciate what an amazing singer, songwriter, entertainer and human being he is.
I found myself doing something I've never done before - standing in line after his show to buy three of his CDs. They have become favorites in my collection.
Admired as a sly humorist and innovative guitarist, Pyle has performed for the Colorado Legislature, on "Austin City Limits" and at Bill and Melinda Gates' home.
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His song "The Other Side of the Hill" has been performed and recorded by many musicians, including Suzy Bogguss, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Chris LeDoux (who renamed it "Cadillac Cowboy").
Another of Pyle's originals, "Jaded Lover," was made famous by Jerry Jeff Walker, and "High, Wide and Handsome" was recorded by John Denver.
Pyle sees what's best about America and writes songs about love lost and found, forgetful cowboys, heroic highway patrolmen, and brain stems gone "critical."
According to Music Row Magazine, "Every song lover in town should make it a point to seek out this man's music."
Now that I've seen him perform, I couldn't agree more.
Pyle will play from 7 to 9 p.m. at Abounding Grace, 2450 S. Kolb Road, just north of East Golf Links on the west side of Kolb. Doors open at 6:30.
Advance tickets are $15 online at www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/98302, all fees included. Tickets are $20 cash at the door.
Go to www.lavamusic.org for more details and to view a video. Email bonnie@lavamusic.org or call 647-3234 for more info.
Did you know?
The nonprofit Live Acoustic Venue Association, also called LAVA, hosts an evening concert series in the spring and in the fall at Abounding Grace Sanctuary, and has hosted a Music on the Mountain series on Sunday afternoons in the summer on Mount Lemmon.
Source: LAVA Music
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