Justin Townes Earle took home song of the year at the 2011 Americana Music Awards for “Harlem River Blues.” It was a fitting end to what has been a long year back from an abyss filled with addictions, demons, rehab and redemption. I have met Justin a handful of times, including a Cubs game with him in Chicago. He’s always been a pleasure to spend time with so I am glad he is reaping the reward for his continued excellence. An edited version of the awards ceremony will be on Austin City Limits on Novemeber 19th.
On the same day of the award, Justin also was the spotlight on Carson Daly’s show. You can see the piece below, after the video of “Harlem River Blues” as performed on Letterman with Paul Shaffer on keys and Jason Isbell on guitar.
In case you missed it (like me), check out JTE and Isbell taking the Letterman stage together with Paul Shaffer. Safe to say they crushed it and hopefully we’ll see more Isbell/Earle collaborations in the future. I absolutely love watching Jason Isbell play the guitar.
On Justin’s list of achievements, I’d say “Letterman Performance” probably lands just after “Performing at the HearYa SxSW party in 2009 when I was nearly deafened by their audio system.”
For those that follow Justin Townes Earle, you probably recall that he was fired from his Dad’s band after developing some “bad habits.” He then found sobriety, his solo song craft, and put out two phenomenal country albums in The Good Life and Midnight At The Movies.
We’re not ones to gossip and normally I’d leave any “off the wagon” rumors off the table, but Justin just announced that his tour is canceled while he enters rehab. The clues have been there. His tour cancellation announcement features a comment from a fan apologizing for helping him score coke. His Twitter profile has shown some “colorful” rants, including a picture of his bleeding ass. He was arrested in Indianapolis after reported issues with fans and the venue. I’ve seen him perform many times over the past few years and his stage banter indicated that he may dipping his toes back in the “bad habits” water – like in San Francisco when he praised the crowd for the city’s high grade weed.
I just figured it was medicinal.
On his latest album, Harlem River Blues, there’s a track called Slippin’ and Slidin’ that sums up his situation with autobiographical lyrics (these may not be entirely accurate):
Why do I try my luck?
I should never touch the stuff.
But it shouldn’t make any difference.
As long as I keep up appearances.
This all didn’t come as much surprise. Staying sober in his chosen vocation is like riding a wagon coated in Crisco. It shouldn’t diminish the quality found in Harlem River Blues, however. This album doesn’t have the stand out tracks that stirred your soul like “Mama’s Eyes” on Midnight At The Movies, but it’s great travelin’ music. “Move Over Mama” sounds like an early Elvis Presley song from the late 50′s, “Workin’ for the MTA” is yet another train song that would make Cash proud, and “Wanderin’” weaves acoustic guitar, fiddle, hand claps and harmonica into a foot stomping barn dancer.
Harlem River Blues didn’t immediately hit me like Justin’s last two albums, but many drives down winding country back roads changed my perspective and I’ve grown to adore it. Justin Townes Earle has been a big supporter of ours. He stopped in for one of our earliest sessions, performed at our first SxSW party, and even watched a Cubs game with us at Wrigley. I’ve watched addiction take the life of someone close to me and I’m thankful that he had the wisdom to seek help. We wish him the very best of luck in sorting this out we’ll be standing in the crowd when his tour is reignited.
In a random encounter at our SxSW 2009 day party, I met a guy that obsessively records Americana/ Alt-country shows around Austin. I’m now on his email list and his tapings and downloads can be found here.
This track was sent out today and it’s too good not to share on a Friday. Justin Townes Earle’s albums just don’t capture the stage presence and character of his live shows. This recording does.
Justin Townes Earle and Dawn Landes recently collaborated on a song called “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.” He’s also getting some unexpected attention as one of GQ’s most stylish men in the world, up against the likes of Johnny Depp and LeBron James. Eh? Justin Townes Earle and Dawn Landes – Do I Ever [...]
Justin Townes Earle just released a video for his song “Midnight At The Movies,” from his album of the same name (Our review). You can also download the tracks from our live session with Justin Townes Earle. Video: Justin Townes Earle – Midnight At The Movies Justin Townes Earle, “Midnight at the Movies” from Bloodshot [...]
Steve Earle once visited Townes Van Zandt at his cabin in Franklin, Tennessee. After doing some hunting in the woods, Earle arrived back to the house to find Townes sitting with a loaded .357 magnum revolver. Townes put a round in it, spun the cylinder, put the barrel to his own head and pulled the [...]
Justin Townes Earle and Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit were in San Francisco last week, so I made the 40 minute commute into the city to check out the show at The Independent. I hired a babysitter and took the wife with me, so I didn’t take any pictures. You can’t interrupt date night [...]
Justin Townes Earle is one tall drink of water. I was really surprised when I met him at SxSW. He’s got to be 6’4″. That’s like 11 feet tall in the indie music world. Anyhoo, JTE will be at The Independent tonight in San Francisco opening for Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. I’ll be [...]
If you haven’t been introduced to LaundroMatinee, let me do the honors. Dodge from MOKB created this website dedicated to live video sessions and he’s had some great acts in recently, including O’Death, Blitzen Trapper and two artists that will be performing at Stimulus Package, our Wednesday 15 hour SXSW Day Party at The Paradise [...]
