Steve Earle
Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protege of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, he quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and countless others. 1986 saw the release of his record, Guitar Town, which shot to number one on the country charts and is now regarded as a classic of the Americana genre. Most recently, Earle’s 1988 hit Copperhead Road was made an official state song of Tennessee in 2023.
Subsequent releases like The Revolution Starts…Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007), and TOWNES (2009) received consecutive GRAMMY® Awards. His most recent album, Jerry Jeff (2022) consisted of Earle’s versions of songs written by Jerry Jeff Walker, one of his mentors.
Earle has published both a novel I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2011) and Dog House Roses, a collection of short stories (Houghton Mifflin 2003).
Earle produced albums for other artists such as Joan Baez (Day After Tomorrow) and Lucinda Williams (Car Wheels on A Gravel Road)
As an actor, Earle has appeared in several films and had recurring roles in the HBO series The Wire and Tremé. In 2009, Earle appeared in the off-Broadway play Samara, for which he also wrote a score that The New York Times described as “exquisitely subliminal.” Earle wrote music for and appeared in Coal Country, for which he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Earle is the host of the weekly show Hard Core Troubadour on Sirius Radio’s Outlaw Country channel.
In 2020, Earle was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. And in 2023, Steve was honored by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music. Steve’s forthcoming album, “Alone Again (Live)”, is set to release July 12th, 2024.
Website: steveearle.com
Reckless Kelly
Reckless Kelly, the powerhouse Americana/Outlaw Country band, has been igniting stages with their fusion of rock and country since 1996. Led by Idaho natives Willy and Cody Braun, the brothers carry a musical legacy spanning three generations. Joining forces with drummer Jay Nazz in Austin, TX, they’ve left an indelible mark on Texas’s musical landscape. Over nearly three decades, Reckless Kelly has become a staple in the Americana scene, earning a GRAMMY Award and Outlaw Group of the Year at the 2024 Ameripolitan Awards. Their annual festival, The Braun Brothers Reunion, recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2024 and is set to announce its 2025 lineup soon as it continues to raise significant funds for their hometown in Challis, Idaho. The band recently released their 17th studio album, The Last Frontier in September 2024 and is currently on their 2024-2025 tour of the same name.
The Last Frontier features an array of notable collaborations, including a standout title track duet with Kelly Willis and Reckless Kelly’s frontman Willy Braun. Kelley Mickwee lends her powerful harmony vocals, while Bukka Allen’s soulful touch on piano and B3, and Jonathan Tyler’s guitar work, further elevate the project. The album includes songs penned by Reckless Kelly’s Willy Braun, alongside contributions from Jeff Crosby and brothers Gary and Micky Braun of Micky & The Motorcars. Produced at the renowned Arlyn Studios in Austin, Texas, The Last Frontier was co-produced by Cody Braun, Willy Braun, and fellow Texas artist Jonathan Tyler.
In addition to Willy, Cody, and Jay, the band features Joe Miller on bass and Geoff Queen on lead guitar and pedal steel. By the end of 2025, Reckless Kelly plans to step back from traditional touring while still writing, recording, and performing special live events. Willy Braun emphasizes, “We all still love playing together. It’s not a full-scale retirement; we’ll continue to record and perform occasionally but look forward to spending more time at home and exploring other interests.” Cody adds, “Playing to an enthusiastic audience is irreplaceable. We invite fans to celebrate with us on this tour as we move in a new direction.”
Website: recklesskelly.com
