Guest Room Sessions: Tony Lucca and Ernie Halter, ‘Michelle’

For the September installment of The Boot's Guest Room Sessions, singer-songwriter Tony Lucca teamed up with his friend Ernie Halter to perform a cover of one of the duo's favorite Beatles tunes, "Michelle."

To record their version of “Michelle,” Lucca and Halter headed to Chicago’s Midway Airport. It's a seemingly odd setting in which to lay down a track, but thanks to a serendipitous meeting on the way to Nashville, an impromptu recording session went down in the terminal.

“We chose to do this at the airport because the two of us always bump into people we know at the airport,” explains Lucca. “This time, we actually bumped into each other, both on our way to Nashville, both with time to spare. We couldn't pass up the opportunity."

Lucca and Halter sing part of "Michelle" in French, and the duo's uniquely layered harmonies create an updated take on the classic tune.

“We picked the song "Michelle" because, oddly enough, Ernie and I, while on tour in England earlier this year, had been talking about the history of the Grammy for Song of the Year and how many songs we couldn't believe were on there,” Lucca recalls. “Turns out "Michelle" won Song of the Year in 1967. Almost 50 years ago.”

Signed to Rock Ridge Music, the Detroit-raised Lucca has been both a musician and an actor (Parenthood fans may recognize him). He also finished third on Season 2 of The Voice and has spent time touring with Sara Bareilles, Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5; throughout fall, Lucca will tour the country with the likes of Alex Dezen, Christian Lopez and Tyrone Wells.