Nashville, IN. – It was Friday night and fans of all ages came out to the Brown County Music Center to enjoy an evening with singer-songwriting legend, Steve Earle. Unlike his appearance a year earlier with his backing band The Dukes, tonight’s show was just Steve and appropriately named “Alone Again Tour: Solo + Acoustic“.
Kicking off the evening was upcoming folk artist Zandi Holup hailing from the great State of Pennsylvania. Her website describes her as having deep southern roots and singing about all the world has to offer including “the good, bad, and the ugly”. Zandi gave a stellar performance and had the room listening to every chord strummed and sung. (I even heard one lady mention that the last song made her cry as she was wiping tears from her face). Zandi currently has one single out “Wait For You” and is currently working on her follow-up record to be released sometime in 2023. Make sure to to keep an eye out for Zandi…you’ll definitely be hearing more about this young singer-songwriter.
Since there was no band for tonight’s performance, there was no stage to changeover – just a brief 15 minute intermission before Steve walked out on stage with nothing but a 6-string acoustic and got right down to business. He opened the show with a cover from The Pogues before getting into his own catalogue of hits. Steve was very engaging with the audience; telling the stories behind the songs before playing said songs. He told us of relationships past and the women that led to some of his most popular tunes. He shared a very intimate detail concerning the death of his first born son, Justin Townes Earle and the effects (and often tragedy) associated with the drug Fentanyl along with a warning to stay safe out there. He shared stories of his mentors-idols-friends Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Jerry Jeff Walker. Overall, it was an amazing, intimate almost two-hours of Steve laying his heart out on the stage for all to witness.
It’s not easy to get up on a stage and perform; let alone by ones self for almost 120 minutes but Steve handled it with ease and like a pro. Especially with some unruly folks in the audience whom were intoxicated, loud and overall disrespectful to other patrons & the performance. Steve briefly commented on “how in his past something like that would set him off and he’d be off stage handling it” – but he rose above the moment and continued his performance with looks to the left side of stage when the folks mentioned didn’t take the hint from Steve’s comments or looks.
Steve Earle will continue on the Alone Again Tour: Solo + Acoustic through the end of September. Be sure to check local listings or Steve’s website for dates near you. Steve is also working on his 2nd play with Daisy Brooks Foote and still hosting his long running show on Sirius XM appropriately titled The Steve Earle show: Hardcore Troubadour Radio – make sure to give it a listen.
SETLIST: NASHVILLE, IN.
- If I Should Fall From Grace (The Pogues cover)
- Devils Right Hand
- My Old Friend
- Someday
- Guitar Town
- I Ain’t Ever Satisfied (Steve Earle & the Dukes cover)
- Taneytown
- Now She’s Gone
- Goodbye
- Sparkle and Shine
- You’re the Best Lover That I Ever Had (Steve Earle & the Dukes cover)
- South Nashville Blues
- CCKMP (12-string)
- Transcendental Blues
- Devil I Know
- All Right (6-string)
- It’s About Blood (Steve Earle & the Dukes cover)
- Mr. Bojangles (Jerry Jeff Walker cover)
- Harlem River Blues (Justin Townes Earle cover)
- Tell Moses (Colvin & Earle cover)
- Galway Girl (Mandolin)
- Copperhead Road
Encore:
- Billy Austin (Steve Earle & the Dukes cover)
- Hard Core Troubadour
Show date: 08/18/23
