They are a pair of American originals, two of our nation's most distinctive country-inflected singer-songwriters. Lyle Lovett is the natty, lanky oddball known for his wry concision and deft negotiation of the crossroads between country, blues, gospel, Texas swing, rock and jazz. Steve Earle is the disheveled, burly rabble-rouser formerly famous for self-destructive appetites, since rechanneled into socio-political activism and musical creativity that glides from troubadour folk to blistering rock with a side of bluegrass. They will share an avenue, if not a stage, Thursday night when Lovett plays the State Theatre on 8th and Hennepin while Earle headlines the smaller Pantages Theatre kitty-corner on the next block.

After some solo acoustic dates on a double bill with John Hiatt earlier this year, Lovett is back out with his Large Band, collectively blessed with enough versatile virtuosity to plumb, blend and enliven all the facets of roots music mentioned above. A genuinely feel-good performer, Lovett manages to utilize his rapier wit in a spirit of inclusive bonhomie that's pretty irresistible. The only criticism I have is that he's less prolific lately; after unfurling a half-dozen discs of mostly original material in the first decade of his career (1986-96), he's put out only two since then (the rest have been live albums, soundtracks and cover material), most recently "It's Not Big, It's Large" two years ago.

That said, it's hard to imagine Lovett's Large Band omitting classics like "Here I Am," "Church" and "That's Right (You're Not From Texas)" from the set list. If you haven't partaken, maybe this rendition of "Church" or this version of "That's Right" will be sufficient motivation to rectify that hole in your life's résumé.

Earle, who showed up last fall to participate in a concert protesting the priorities then being ratified at the Republican National Convention, is now touring behind his tribute album to the legendary Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt. Along with a liberal sampling of the 15 Van Zandt covers from "Townes," Earle is folding in anecdotes that seem alternately humorous and deeply affecting, judging from reviews of past shows on the tour. In his own way, Van Zandt (no stranger to self-destruction) helped Earle climb out of the dungeon of his addictions, and Earle's descriptions of those exchanges are as riveting as his choice renditions of "Pancho and Lefty," "Marie," and "Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold."

Here is Earle's take on "Colorado Girl" on the Letterman show, prefaced by a thumbnail sketch of Van Zandt. Here's another live track of Earle on Townes, this time Rex's Blues. And here he is covering "Pancho and Lefty."

Lyle Lovett at the Historic State Theatre, Thursday, July 23, 8 p.m.; tickets $49-$52.

Steve Earle at the Pantages Theatre, Thursday, July 23, 8 p.m.; tickets $31-$36.