Fiery and ornery folk singer-songwriter Steve Earle is raising hell again. That shouldn’t be much of a surprise to anyone who has followed his amazing journey during a music career that has included battles with the law, with drugs and with his inner demons.

This time, though, the “hardcore troubadour” is making a joyful noise and living the good life, settling down with wife No. 7, lovely and talented singer-songwriter Allison Moorer, while taking his music and message to the masses. But if you’re a registered Republican, you’d probably rather tell this candid political junkie where to go.

“Anybody who knows me, knows that I’m something somewhat to the left of a Democrat,” Earle said during a recent record store appearance in Denver. He’ll go back on the road beginning May 28 in Portsmouth, N.H., for a tour to promote his latest release, Townes, a well-received collection of songs written by his late friend and mentor, Townes Van Zandt.

Earle's new record, which was released May 12, debuted last week at No. 19 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, the highest Top 200 debut in his career. It is also the highest position on the Top 200 chart for New West Records.

Earle, who just appeared on the season finale of 30 Rock, has taken the success in stride, though he recently told PBS talk-show host Tavis Smiley, “It’s humbling. It hurts a singer-songwriter’s feelings a little bit when he makes a record that gets more attention definitely than the last record that I made, which is all my songs.”

But the fact that the songwriter was his teacher makes everything all right. “My son (Justin Townes Earle) is named after Townes,” Earle said.

As part of the promotional blitz, Earle made seven in-store appearances in major indie retailers in eight days this month, including one in front of an enthusiastic crowd of about 300 on May 15 at Twist & Shout in Denver. Many of those in attendance purchased the record in advance to get a wristband that assured them a place in line for a meet-and-greet with Earle (and an autograph) after the free show.

Earle, who is scheduled to perform on the Late Show with David Letterman on June 3, is planning to make another Colorado stop on this solo tour, though it's not currently listed on his itinerary. “It’ll be a little later in the year when I come back solo,” he said. “I’m going to wait till the rivers run off before I tour in the mountains. The fishing’s great.”

Article Author: Michael Bialas

A newspaper editor and former college football player, Michael Bialas makes sports his business but exploring and reviewing music, movies, TV and other forms of pop culture are among the games he enjoys playing now.
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