The Texan outlaw country songwriter on the genius of Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, his upcoming memoir, and how Elvis Presley nearly made him a fortune…
STEVE Earle has a busy day ahead of him. “I went to SiriusXM to interview Chris Stapleton for my radio show, then I went to the gym. Later I pick up my kids from school, then I’ve got a play tonight, so I have to be at the theatre for 6.30.” Then, with a laugh, “It keeps me out of trouble.”
It seems as if Steve Earle has crammed several lifetimes worth of experience into his 62 years – and not all of it positive. Although he makes light of the (seven) divorces and has a wry take on his period as an addict, you suspect it is music that played a huge role in getting Earle through some very tough times. A troubadour in the mould of his hero, Townes Van Zandt, Earle’s music has swerved from country to rock to bluegrass and folk. His latest album, So You Wannabe An Outlaw, is an old-fashioned country set, featuring guest slots from Willie Nelson and Miranda Lambert. It is one of many current creative Endeavours – besides the off-Broadway play, Samara, he runs a songwriting camp, is writing a memoir and plotting his next novel. “I don’t have any choice when it comes to what I do,” he says, by way of explanation. “It’s like oxygen. I can’t live without it.”
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