Steve Earle

Guide Note:

Steve Earle is an Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, playwright, author, and poet. He's sometimes referred to as the "hardcore troubadour" because of his outspoken political activism, struggles with addiction and multiple run-ins with the law.

Fast Facts:

1. Born on January 17, 1955 at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia
2. Record Label: New West Records
3. Subject of documentary film Just an American Boy
4. Dropped out of school in the 8th grade
5. Plays about 200 live shows per year
6. Spouse: Allison Moorer
7. Son Justin Townes Earle is named for Townes Van Zandt
8. Appears as "Waylon" on The Wire
9. Won Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 2005

1. Guitar Town (1986)
2. Exit 0 (1987)
3. Copperhead Road (1988)
4. The Hard Way (1990)
5. Train a Comin' (1995)
6. I Feel Alright (1996)
7. El Corazon (1997)
8. The Mountain (1999)
9. Transcendental Blues (2000)
10. Jerusalem (2002)
11. The Revolution Starts Now (2004)
12. Washington Square Serenade (2007)

Earle started his career as a songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee in 1975. He would occasionally provide backup vocals on recordings, starting with the song "Desperadoes Waiting for a Train" for Guy Clark (with the help of Emmylou Harris).

His first solo album, Guitar Town, was released more than 10 years later, in 1986. Both it and its follow-up, Copperhead Road, would become significant hits, eventually going Gold.

Earle was forced to quit his musical career in 1993 because of ongoing problems with heroin addiction. In 1994, Earle was arrested on drug and firearms charges, and spent a brief period in jail.

Earle released 2 albums within 18 months of his release from jail in late 1994. Since that time, he has spread out from his country roots and experimented with a variety of genres. His most recent album in 2007's Washington Square Serenade, his twelfth studio album and first attempt at digital, as opposed to analog, production. The album received a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album in 2008.