Love and Theft entertain more than 230 at the Lodge

BY Dawn Rankins

More than 230 people attended the second concert of the Canyon Lake POA-hosted Concert at the Lodge Series since the beginning of the pandemic on Saturday with country duo Love and Theft.

The crowd was clearly amped up and ready for some lively music. The concert was chalked full of such with not only Love and Theft, but by Makayla Philips who was backed up by Kenny Marquez.

Makayla is known for covering popular songs as America’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer winner and American Idol finalist. But at Saturday’s concert, she chose to perform her originals, with only an acoustic backup.

Love and Theft dazzled the audience with songs and stories based on their lives. Love and Theft members Eric Gunderson and Stephen Liles thanked the audience for supporting them and promised a full night of songs.

Eric told the audience about a story regarding the group’s hit song, Whiskey on my Breath. He told of an injured vet who was ready to give up on life when a friend stopped by and eventually played the song for him.

Makayla Phillips and Kenny Marquez enjoy a moment between acts at the Love and Theft Concert. Makayla, with Kenny backing her up, was the opening act at the Saturday concert at the lodge. Photo by John Foster.

Whiskey on my Breath had such a huge impact on the vet that he chose to live, rather than take his own life. Eric said this is one of the greatest gifts the duo has ever received. Their song had a role in helping save the life of this man.

Throughout the concert, the pair told about how much they loved being in Canyon Lake. They said they were both a little bummed that because of a flight delay, they arrived later than expected and had to cancel a Canyon Lake Golf Course round of golf.

The duo has been together for 15 years and met through a mutual friend. Eric and Steve write together and continue to work hard in perfecting their sound, a sound that they both love, they said.

Love and Theft took to the stage at the Lodge and put on a 75-minute concert as part of the Canyon Lake POA’s Concerts at the Lodge Series.

They have performed 67 times at the Grand Ole Opry. Steve says the only thing that still makes him nervous about performing is when he’s performing at weddings, the Grand Ole Opry and when they are asked to perform the National Anthem.

Eric said the harder a person works, the more successful they become. The duo is beyond grateful for their audiences and for their success and both said they take none of it for granted.

When Canyon Lake Concert Producer Doug Schultz introduced the duo to begin the concert, the crowd immediately rose to its feet and through applause welcomed Love and Theft to the stage.

“It was so gratifying to see the Canyon Lake audience having so much fun, both during the concert and after the show with the meet and greet,” Doug said. “Makalya was stunning with her powerful vocals. Love and Theft’s  harmonizing was what got them nominated for so many awards and their 75-minute set showed exactly that. Canyon Lakers absolutely loved both acts. What a show.”

Canyon Lake’s Mindy Tucker decided to celebrate her birthday by going to the concert Saturday night. Not only did she receive an evening full of song, but also gets a kiss on the cheek by Love and Theft’s Stephen Liles and a band-led Happy Birthday song by the audience.

Mindy Tucker celebrated her birthday with mom, Karen Rush, for the first time in many years and they chose to celebrate the occasion at the Love and Theft concert. The two of them weren’t the only ones celebrating the birthday. Love and Theft led the entire audience in singing Happy Birthday to Mindy.

Among the concert goers were Canyon Lakers Rick and Cheryl Dumas who said they love to be able to come to these concerts, have a couple of drinks and enjoy a night out without having to go far from home. They said they loved Saturday’s concert.