Texas songwriter rocks Breckenridge Tuesday

BRECKENRIDGE, Colorado — Country pop singer Pat Green is set to belt out Tex-centric, beer-drinking rock songs Tuesday in Breckenridge, Colorado. He's part of the Breckenridge Music Festival's Blue River Series at the Riverwalk Center, and his concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

“It's pretty easy to say ‘yes' to a gig in the Colorado Rockies in summer,” Green said.

And Green's no stranger to the area — “When I was younger, I was a big ski buff,” Green said. “It hurts when I fall down now.”

According to Green, he's visited Breckenridge “plenty of times” and even learned to ski at the resort. Though he's already played in Vail, Durango, Aspen and other Colorado towns, this is his first performance in Summit County.

A regular guy

A regular Texas guy, Green started playing music in college “to get more dates.”

And of course he got more dates — “I got my wife,” he said. But, he also started getting recognized.

When Green caught the ear of Willie Nelson in the 1990s, he began touring with him and then other musicians — Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Kenny Chesney, even Dave Matthews.

“Willie was the first one to give us a break and show us around,” Green said. “I'm lucky to have him as a friend.”

And Green gets much of his musical inspiration from his family and friends. Since he's recorded about a dozen albums, it's clear that sparks of creativity have blessed him often.

“Family is an inspiration, life stories, things that are true to me,” Green said. “I used to write a lot about drinking beer when I was drinking a lot of beer. ... Rob Thomas and I once wrote a song about a Los Angeles stripper. I write about anything, Sponge Bob Square Pants included.”

Green's band is based out of Austin, but he lives in Fort Worth with his wife and two kids, a son and a daughter.

“They keep you sane, and I drive them crazy,” Green said, with a laugh. “It all works out.”

Though Green never really set out to rule the music scene, he's been nominated for three Grammy awards, toured with well-known musicians and developed a strong following of fans, especially in Texas.

But, he doesn't seem fazed.

“I want to have a great life,” Green said. “We all have to get born, pay taxes and die. Let's have fun in between.”

When Green is kicking back, he likes his beer domestic, light and cold. His Colorado preference is the Tommyknocker Brewery — “I think its maple ale.”

And he's creative. When asked to describe his music as an inanimate object, he had lots of ideas.

“It's a pool looking over an ocean,” Green said. “You don't have to fight the tides so much — maybe I'm describing me. A pretty view, very comfy. I enjoy my life. I'm not worried about being all ripped up and hot.”

And then Green said, “My music is a VW van. It's not real polished, but it will get you there. It's not proud, but it's effective.”

If you go ...

What: Pat Green in concert

Where: Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Cost: $30 in advance, $35 day of show, and they can be purchased by calling the Riverwalk Center Box Office at 970-547-3100.

More information: For a complete Breckenridge Music Festival schedule or to order tickets, visit www.breckenridgemusicfestival.com.

Caitlin Row can be reached at 970-668-4633 or at crow@summitdaily.com.