Monday night Nightline Upclose is repeating a profile of Steve Earle which originally ran on Nightline last year. Because of football, it may air even later than the normal 12:05 a.m. time on the east coast.

Here is the description from their email newsletter:

"My core objections to the death penalty is about the damage it does to my
spirit for my government to take people's lives if what we live in is
ostensibly a democracy. There is no they, it's us. We're killing people.
I mean, we are involved and our hand is involved in every single one of
these killings." — Singer and songwriter Steve Earle

Steve Earle has found himself in the midst of controversy...again. Next
month will be the release of his new album with the song entitled "John
Walker's Blues" written in the perspective of John Walker Lindh, the
21-year-old American who pleaded guilty to fighting with the Afghan
Taliban.

Perhaps the best way to introduce you to Steve Earle is to let you read a
portion of Chris Bury's opening to the broadcast:

"This burly, tattooed man has been divorced six times, done his time in
prison, and in the mid-'90s nearly killed himself with drugs and booze.
But he came back from all that stronger and more committed to stand up for
his beliefs. He thinks art is inherently political, and in this case he
is speaking out for everyone's civil liberties...even if it's John Walker
Lindh.

"UpClose tonight...Nightline correspondent Dave Marash's profile of Steve
Earle done at the time when he was fighting for a cause even closer to his
heart."

Program note: Because of a football game on ABC, Nightline and UpClose
will be delayed.

Tom Bettag
Executive Producer
Nightline