“No period after E or the show is cancelled!” barks Kitsalano, Lyle E Style’s manager since the early 90s and then slams down the phone. He shoves an aged, half-smoked, unlit Cohiba cigar back in his mouth and mumbles “The kid’s gonna be big! Not huge, but big.”

I left Kitsalano’s office to meet with the relatively unknown singer, songwriter, author and actor to ask him how it all started. “I took music lessons since I was a kid but never played for anyone until 1986 when my parents sent me to a minor seminary. To raise money for the school, we did concerts across North America. I played guitar and loved playing to a live audience so I decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry instead of the priesthood.”

The reality of making a successful career doing what he loved came from a chance encounter in Branson, Missouri with legendary songwriter Bill Dees (Oh, Pretty Woman, It’s Over) which led to a writing partnership and ongoing friendship. Dees comments, “Lyle is the first artist that I have written with since Roy Orbison. His determination, respect of his predecessors and attention to detail express what is needed to succeed as a singer/songwriter.”

Style demonstrates that respect to his predecessors in the book he wrote, Ain’t Got No Cigarettes: Memories of Music Legend Roger Miller. Style’s book, the first one ever written on “The King of the Road” has been receiving impressive reviews and attention worldwide.  The New York Times noted the dual nature of Style's literary contribution: On the surface, it's a book about Roger Miller, "but through a quirk of deliberate or accidental genius, what Style has actually assembled is a living document of country music in its hootin', hollerin' outlaw heyday…" 

The book is a collection of amazing stories from Roger’s close friends and peers including Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Bobby Bare, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Dwight Yoakam and over ninety more. Style even managed to get country superstar Toby Keith to write the foreword. When asked, “Why Roger Miller?” Style responded, “Roger Miller is one of the most talented and intriguing people in the history of entertainment. After becoming a huge fan of his, I wanted to know more about the man behind the music. Unfortunately, no book had ever been written about him, so I decided to write one myself.” Undoubtedly, this Canadian has captured and preserved an important piece of Americana history.

Style is currently preparing for the release of his new CD, Cutting Room Floor, an innovative project where he has chosen to pay tribute to some of the artists who have inspired him to contribute to the music industry. Style explains, “I always wondered if my heroes had any cool songs that weren’t recorded because of their untimely passing or because the songs were too outlaw or dark. As fate would have it… they did. For the new CD, I recorded my versions of unreleased songs written by Waylon Jennings, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Roger Miller, along with nine originals and a cover of ‘Put Another Log On The Fire’. After much research, I found quite a few unreleased songs by these legends. These tracks are the one’s that really hit me as a fan. I’m really proud and blessed to be the first to release these gems.”

Mr. E Style is making his mark in the industry by showcasing what Nashville record producer Larry Butler explains as “an original sound that exhibits his own way of presenting stories through his songs. He is a true crooner and stylist.” With influences ranging from Andy Kaufman to Johnny Cash to Alice Cooper, it’s no wonder that the end result is quite different from the mainstream. Lyle’s unique style is what makes him a distinct alternative country music artist.

When asked about his headstrong manager, with a somber look in his eyes he said, “Kitsalano has caused me more problems in my career than anyone I’ve ever met in my life. Due to his Colonel Parker style demands, I’ve lost two major record label deals, countless acting parts including being left on the cutting room floor for my portrayal of ‘Larry’ on NBC’s Three’s Company movie of the week. Who in their right mind would demand my name being the first to appear on the opening credits? I was a supporting character! Between you and me, I’m looking for a new manager.”

-Johnny Marsala (chief writer www.alternativecountrymusic.com)