Lyle Sinclair sadly passed away yesterday in the hospital after a short illness. Lyle, a fixture in Boise’s music scene, was known for writing and performing his country music; and country rock songs too. I first met Lyle several years ago; and enjoyed going to his shows at places like Big Mic’s in Kuna, the Eagle Lodge in Nampa and Boise, Sa-Wa-Dee Thai Cuisine in Meridian; and more recently a regular performer at the Barrelhouse in Garden City, where he was one of the first performers to help open up the music scene in the Treasure Valley again.
Lyle and I bonded shortly after we first met, while talking over things we had in common. That turned into a regular breakfast or lunch get together for years, just two friends meeting over coffee and breakfast and taking about various things. Lyle was a treasure trove of stories about Boise. When I moved into the Idanha Apartments, he told me several stories about it and what it meant to him. It turned out that at the time he enlisted in the Navy in the early 70s, he came to the lobby of the Idanha where the enlistment center was. He had a few favorite music stories, including several about meeting one of his idols, Lefty Frizzell. I learned a lot of things when I first profiled him in The Boise Beat.
Lyle was very passionate about his music and had released several albums. He had some wonderful songs, several off his album Simple Country Son, including the title track and Fuzzy Haze, a classic tune that he wrote. His shows weren’t just playing for an audience though—at most of his shows he got a majority of those in attendance up an dancing. I remember one show in particular, where I was planning on taking pictures of Lyle and his band. My plan was to give him a few songs to warm up and then start shooting. However, the dancers were up right at the first song and there was never any time that dance floor was empty that night.
Lyle and I enjoyed our occasional breakfasts together. Eating at local places such as Terri’s Cafe in Meridian and Merritt’s Family Restaurant in Boise, he enjoyed participating in my quest for the best Chicken Fried Steak in the Treasure Valley. More importantly, it just turned into a nice time that we would look forward to, a time to relax but also a time where our friendship deepened. It was also a time when he would tell me about his wife, who he truly loved. Even though I had never met her, I felt like I knew her; and knew how much Lyle loved her.
Lyle Sinclair performed with his full band that included drums, keyboards and sometimes either a pedal steel guitar or even a fiddle. Other times he performed as a duo with long-time friend and bassist Jerry Biggle, made an indelible mark on the music scene in Boise. I remember going to one of Lyle’s shows at the Barrelhouse. Of course, sitting up front and facing the band, I didn’t see much of the audience. When the band had their break, he immediately walked back to the rear area where a group of 20-somethings was back there playing pool. He had seen them stop playing and start moving to the music. He told me that it was the biggest compliment he had received—the fact that this group had not only come to see him play but also knew all the songs he was playing too.
Lyle played at many Senior Lunch events throughout the Treasure Valley. It was just another way that he gave to many the gift of music, besides making it possible for some people who were not physically able to attend the regular dances and shows that Lyle did around Boise.
Lyle Sinclair was raised in Weiser and spent most of his time in the Boise area. He played guitar and sang to tell stories and to make people happy. His legacy in the Treasure Valley and beyond is that he was a consummate entertainer. Both as a musician, a songwriter and a good friend. So long, Lyle; we’ll miss you.
