Manlius, NY - Lyle Lovett's lifelong love affair with motorcycles was kindled in the late 1960s riding near his home in Texas with his father Bill. He still owns dad's Yamaha DT-1 and his first "real" motocross bike was a Penton 125. His passion for motorcycles ran so deep that he commuted by bus 30 miles each way for "the experience" of working at Richard Sanders' famous Houston based Cycle Shack. Only 14 at the time, Lyle was too young to join Cycle Shack's official payroll! However his hard work and dedication paid off and at 16 he was presented with a new 125 Husqvarna that he campaigned on local motocross tracks - often with great results. The Lovett family also became heavily involved in the sport with mom Bernell scoring race events and serving as a photojournalist for the local motocross newspaper.
When his busy performing and acting schedules allow Lyle still participates in vintage motocross, often aboard a beautiful vintage 125 Husky. Always up for a great ride, he keeps his helmet and motorcycle riding gear on his tour bus just in case the opportunity to ride should present itself. His love for photography has him chronicling his life as a songwriter and performer and sometimes a trackside photographer. Rumor has it that Lyle may appear in Arlington this Saturday - with camera in hand - to capture images of his Supercross racing heroes like Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen. In the past his photos and articles have appeared in Racer X Illustrated and Men's Journal. It's no secret that Lyle Lovett has achieved superstardom in the world's of music, movies and TV but he has never forgotten his motorcycle roots and love of the sport that he supports often with charity shows and benefits. During interviews he frequently references his motorcycling background and his desire to support the sport he so deeply cares about. Last year Lyle lent his unique and distinctive voice talent as narrator of Todd Huffman's award winning documentary, PENTON: The John Penton Story.
"This is a great honor for me and I am deeply humbled and proud to be recognized for this award by the Legends and Heroes." Said Lovett. "I love their rolling motorcycle museum and I think it's fantastic to have them at every race educating fans to the roots of our great sport. I especially love the fact that this can happen here in the great state of Texas in front of my fellow Texas moto fans!"
"It's a thrill for us to present Lyle with the Legends and Heroes award," states Alex Moroz of the Legends and Heroes Tour. "His contributions to early beginnings of motocross in Texas have been instrumental in the growth of our sport."
The Legends and Heroes of Supercross Moto Museum will host a "Supercross Reunion of Legends" on Saturday during the Monster Energy Supercross "Party in the Pits" from 4-5 p.m. Invited legends include Broc Glover, Steve Wise, Trey Jorski, Dennis Hawthorne, Scott Wallenberg, and "Diamond Don" Rainey. During Saturday evening's pre-race ceremony on the Monster Energy Supercross podium, Lyle Lovett will be presented with the Legends and Heroes award and a personally monogrammed Rockwell timepiece watch.
