Earle long ago established himself as a first-rate singer-songwriter, living up to his legacy as the son of one of the world’s great songwriters, Steve Earle, and the namesake of another, Townes Van Zandt. He's a second generation songwriter from alt-country royal blood who’s made a legacy all his own forging a strong and unusual relationship between roots music's past and its newest arbiters.
The troubadour's early songwriting drew comparisons to heavyweights like Bruce Springsteen, Arlo Guthrie and his own father, Steve Earle, but fans quickly recognized his own original voice as a musician. He earned the Emerging Artist of the Year award from the Americana Music Association in 2009. The same organization gave him its Song of the Year award in 2011 for the title track from Harlem River Blues.
The sound he’s established over his last half dozen records, which is part ragtime country, part old-school Memphis soul, is evident in his latest album 'Kids in the Street'.
"Never has Earle sounded more attuned to the spirit and potential of the roots idioms he works with, or freer to play around with them." - NPR