What more can be said about Steve Earle? Discovered by Guy Clark in the 70's, running around with a crowd that included Townes Van Zandt and Rodney Crowell, fine songwriters all. Released the classic "Guitar Town" lp in the mid 80's hitting number one on the country charts. His next three albums were all fine efforts, especially "Copperhead Road" but Steve had a smack problem (did he think he was a jazz musician?) and hit bottom after 1990's "The Hard Way" ending up in prison on heroin and gun charges.
But country music loves a redemption story and Steve clawed his way back. And he wasn't content to just hoe the row assigned to him by Nashville. Even "alt country" wasn't big enough to contain him. Hell, music wasn't big enough to contain him. Dabbling in rock and folk upon his return to recording, Steve also did some acting, became a novelist, wrote some plays, even hosted a radio talk show on Air America (for which this was the title song). Somewhere he found the time to get married seven times, twice to the same woman. He is the father of singer songwriter Justin Townes Earle.
I don't know if the man ever sleeps! Here's hoping that caffeine is his strongest stimulant. This track is the title song from his 2007. Ladies and gents, the always fascinating Steve Earle!
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