Justin Townes Earle

Justin Townes Earle

Justin Townes Earle is an American singer-songwriter and musician from Nashville, Tennessee. He is identified with folk, alt-country, americana, indie and country music, and his work draws on early country, blues and gospel forms while also sitting within a modern acoustic style.

Background

Earle is the son of alternative country artist Steve Earle. He is named after Townes Van Zandt, and his own writing and performance style places him within the lineage of American roots music.

Recording career

His first release is Yuma from 2007, a set of songs written when he is fresh out of rehab. The release later appears on Bloodshot Records, which also has three further albums of his in its catalogue. His subsequent albums include The Good Life, Midnight at the Movies and Harlem River Blues, with those records showing his blend of charm, wit and rhythm.

Midnight at the Movies receives an Americana Award nomination. In 2011, Harlem River Blues wins the Americana Music Award for Song of the Year.

Recognition and touring

In 2009, Earle tours with Old Crow Medicine Show, The Felice Brothers and Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings as part of The Big Surprise tour. He continues touring through 2010. His 2012 album Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now receives critical acclaim and is listed at number 37 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 50 albums of 2012.

Death

Earle dies in Nashville in 2020.