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We all know there's a whole lot more to Steve than his singing and musicianship. He is a thoughtful man of opinions and philosophy as well, and this finds it's way into his music, whether it is the more overt and angry political stuff, or the less heavy handed anti-death penalty songs.

I used to agree with the death penalty. Now, I am not flaky enough to say that one song by Steve Earle completely changed a strongly held viewpoint, but learning songs like Billy Austin, Ellis Unit One and Over Yonder on guitar and singing them made me think about it a little more and really ask myself what it was I was supporting. What does it do to our collective consciousness, what do we really gain, and how fairly is it applied? At the end of the day, is there any way we can ever really be sure, I mean really be sure, that the law and certain individuals aren't serving themselves instead of serving us? (I live in a country where there is no death penalty by the way, and I'm glad for that now, but I wasn't always.)

For me this change in thought has actually brought a measure of peace. Once I let that go I felt less angry, less mean spirited and maybe a little more understanding. It doesn't mean I condone murder - I just don't want to participate in it.  

I'm not looking for any intense debate or anything, it's just food for thought.

hello all.....well, i am a 51-yr old recovering alcoholic/addict and i say "Steve Earle helped me get sober....."  This was my 3rd, and last recovery, it's too hard to go through at my age....so, i have 6 months clean now and everyday has been hell...i've been able to elevate myself somedays to feel better, and i couldn't have made it so far without my NA group.....but, the first three weeks of my  rehab were so terrible....i say the only thing that got me through was apple juice (the only thing i could keep down) and Steve's music....it spoke to me in a different way than it had before and my love of his work goes back a long way...we grew up about 30 miles from each other in Texas, i always felt a certain kinship to him because of that...

 my 19-yr old son loaded all of my music on my MP3 player and i had the earphones in pretty much 27/7 for the first week esp., it was something i could focus on, the incredible sounds that had always been there for me and knowing he was a recovering addict, is a recovering addict, too, gave me just that much more encouragement to stay clean....

i wonder if you knows how much his music means to us and how grateful we are?  it's a real joy to me that he has shared his gifts for all of these years...

i continue to try and stay clean, i've struggled with thoughts of suicide and great despair, but also a sense of pride that this is the longest i've been clean in 18 yrs....

God bless Steve Earle...

Well missintexas, believe I am pulling for you with my heart, mind, spirit and soul. Where you are is a place I've never been, but I have seen and experienced my own share of misery. I've learned we are all stronger than we think, especially when we realize we are all connected some how, some way.

I've also learned what doesn't kill you...ain't always for lack of trying! 

Steve changed my perception of what I could and could not do. Like a lot of people, I have been addicted to alcohol and pills (*coughs* mainly! ). For a while I thought I'd never be able to clean up. Around that time, I listened a lot to Transcendental Blues and basically walked around & felt sorry for myself, then I started thinking, "If this bearded old fart could clean his act up, then I'll be damned if I couldn't do it as well". So I did  (that came out sounding as if it was easy, it wasn't). I most probably would have cleaned up anyway, I don't want to exaggerate the impact of Steve, but it definitely felt good to have him as a positive influence.

 I love you (in a totally hetero way, don't worry Allison!) you bearded old fart, thanks for the inspiration!
 

kmb117:

We don't have a cure for cancer but we've got 16 million different versions of the Lord of the Rings. What. The. Fuck.

my friend, you said it all perfectly...

i can't say Steve has been my only inspiration...just a large part of my getting clean, and trying to stay that way...i come from a long line of addicts who can't admit what they are....but, i say it every week at my meeting, "I'm Joanna and I'm an addict...."  i wish i didn't have to say it, but i am past looking back and wishing for things to be different, when they can't be....i appreciate all of your kindness and support...i don't have much of it at home, but you guys are all the best....

bloodaxe, i appreciated your story, too....you are right to celebrate Steve the way you do, he has touched alot of our lives and when I saw him in Minneapolis, i told him just that...

take care...

Heh, I never agreed with Steve's politics and his music can't change it.

But I don't support the death penalty either.

Maybe he opened my way to other music genres. As a country fan I really loved Guitar Town when I bought it. So I tried other Steve's albums, the newer ones were completely different not much country at all but still I fell in love with them, although sometimes it took some time to accustom. Rocking songs are probably my more favourite now but I like Steve no matter if it's country, rock, folk, bluegrass or anything else. Probably a natural progress of my musical "growth". In any case, Steve has a leading role in it. ;-)
 

hey viky, you and i are in the same boat pretty much, sweetie...i don't agree with the death penalty either, but can't get quite as far, far left as Steve...but, for me, his music is what i love, that and his good heart and convictions to his beliefs....and, you know also, if, God forbid he and Allison and me and my husband were no longer together, i would get on the bus and go off with him!  ha!!

take care, shug....

After reading all of your posts, I am inspired by all of you courageous folks and I am pulling for all of you.  My story is not as inspiring.  I like Steve Earle because he speaks up for what he believes in.  Like you have all said, I don't lean as far left as he does, but I am glad that he says what he has to say and doesn't let anyone bully him into giving the PC answer.  My first hero, if you will, in life was John Lennon.  Whether you agreed with John or not, you had to admire the fact that he had opinions and he was willing to voice them and fight to be heard, if that is what it took.  We all need to hear the other perspective, no matter what our position might be on a subject. I like that Steve brings his perspective to the table and that he writes thought provoking lyrics. His music makes me think as well as dance.  It doesn't get any better than that for me.  He is one of the last artists out there who writes meaningful songs about things that we can all feel and relate to.  I don't know if wanting messages in my music makes me old, but I hope that it makes me grow and evolve as a person.  Whenever I feel life is beating me up, I put on his music and I take a deep breath and I go back out there to face the music.  He's an interesting man and I am grateful that he is carrying the flag for all of us who don't want to be brain dead zombies.  I have introduced Earle's music to a lot of people and every single one has been impressed and become a fan.  It's contagious.  

 On a side note, I was talking about his music to some friends of mine and there was a guy in our group who plays guitar and was a musician in Nashville in the 80s.  He said that he gave a ride to a number of musicians to a gig somewhere in TN and one of the guys was Steve Earle.  It was the early 80s before Guitar Town was released and he said he doesn't remember a whole lot about it because he was pretty loaded at the time.  However, I thought it was a fun story and I would share it with you all.  BTW, the discussion came up because he played a Steve Earle song for me, per my request.  Small world, eh?

Bloodaxe and MissinTexas, hang in there.  You can do it.  Nothing worth having is ever easy.

For me, Steve has had an impact on my life in two different ways. Musically, Steve is everything I need and want in a musical artist. He gives me thoughtful, important lyrics, a variety of musical styles and sounds that are VITAL for a moody musical gal like myself, quality recordings, and some guitar sounds that just rock my socks off. Steve's music means more to me than even Led Zeppelin. Oh my, did I just say that???

I also admire Steve as a MAN. He ain't afraid to speak his mind, and he ain't afraid to show his emotions about anything. He's smart, he's thoughtful, and he's very generous I've heard. Oh, and he likes Dr. Pepper.  My kinda guy....

I vaguely recall seeing Steve Earle on a Studio 34 show years ago, and thinking, "Man, this guy has something."  A folky/rockabilly,Dylan/Springsteen anthem thing, a real purity about what he was doing.  He had been through the mill and came out even better, that impressed me.  

Found out more about his music and story through a show biz friend, was getting involved in the Death Penalty abolition work locally, began picking a few cd's, must have been somewhat obsessed as I even purchased his novel.

Looking back, I must have been ready for a more spiritual - open to "higher calling' stuff - path at that point in my life. Flyfishing and a life out of doors had provided that to some degeree, but it was not quite enough.  I related politically and musically to what he was doing, but the social service, conscience appealed to me - it becomes necessary to be part of something larger than yourself and doing the right things. Always knew that, but some folks have a way of reminding you, nagging, sparking action, in a good way.  He is one of those people, so I guess he has changed things for many of us, given us the heart to take action..

Lead to exploration of Texas folkies Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock.  I lived around Austin in the 70's, so had scratched the surface of that good stuff then, but have a newfound appreciation of their work, through Steve Earle.  Been attending gigs by local bands, got to support those folks as well..  End up playing "Christmastime in Washington," "Over Yonder," "Chimes of Freedom" almost every morning, good way to start the day, after not owning a guitar for 30 years or so.  Good to be back on on some kind of path, see where it leads.

rmcl, my friend, you were in Austin during it's most incredible era, i think...i grew up 20 miles south of Austin and loved it in the 70s and 80s, i saw lots of wonderful musicians along the way, in little places, not these giant corporate owned stadiums, Gruene Hall in New Braunsfels, little one room places in Austin, lots of music festivals....

Steve continues to change my life and the support and good feelings i get from his music sustains me in my continuing efforts to stay clean...

Yeah, I go back now, still nice, but , like everywhere else, more corporate - glad I was there in those days.  The Salt Lick kiosk in the new fancy airport says it all.  They heyday of Armadillo World Headquarters, Kerrville Folk Festival, the Broken Spoke, Ken Threadgill  onstage, reminiscing about Janis Joplin getting her start in his club, singing Jimmie Rodgers songs - not too shabby.

Hang in there on the sobriety thing, been 18, almost 19 years for me, and it does get easier.  But have to keep the old guard up, keep busy, appreciate how great life is.  Steve Earle music definitely one of the good things, just found some Salt Lick rub and barbqeue sauce at Wild Oats - cheating, but pretty good.