By S. Pulse

Prolific songwriter and an OG of the Outlaw Music scene, Steve Earle, will be playing storied Gruene Hall near New Braunfels on Friday, June 24th as well as the Backyard Fritztown Amphitheater in Fredericksburg on Saturday, June 25th.

Earle, along with his band The Dukes, will undoubtedly be performing “Copperhead Road,” “Guitar Town,” “The Galway Girl,” and other fan favorites. In addition, they will perform several songs by long-time Austin resident Jerry Jeff Walker who passed in 2020. Earle, who was a long-time friend of Walker, just released a tribute album honoring Walker’s music titled “Jerry Jeff.” The album unleashes Earle’s gritty voice on the material, lending a new slant on Walker’s classics. For those not versed in Jerry Jeff Walker, he was the personification of the original “Austin cool;” a twinge of country blended with the attitude of hard-partying rebel. In fact, Walker was so cool that he is credited with being the guy who first drove Jimmy Buffett to Key West. While Walker’s song “Mr. Bojangles,” brought him broad commercial success, he is also remembered for classics “Pissing in the Wind” and “Sangria Wine.” On Earle’s tribute album, his reverence for his friend is evident in his execution.

Note that this is Earle’s fourth tribute album. Other tribute albums from Earle include salutes to other great singer-songwriters whom he was close to including “Townes” (a tribute to his idol Townes Van Zandt), “Guy” (a tribute to his friend Guy Clark) and the very personal “J.T” (a tribute to Earle’s late son, the musician Justin Townes Earle). Listening to each of these albums, we are grateful for Earle’s musical memorials and his personal interpretation of each of the artist’s creativity.

In addition to music, Earle is an author, actor, radio host, producer, activist, teacher and has even scored a Broadway show. His multi-disciplined approach to life is fueled by his constant searching for fresh ideas. Whether he is listening to jazz or catching a piece of avant-garde performance art in New York City, Earle is constantly expanding and fueling his creative arsenal. This fusion of ingenuity is on full display in his live musical performances, that often includes storytelling and unexpected cover tunes. Plan now to make the short trip to Gruene or Fredericksburg and witness live the genius that is Steve Earle.

Check out all our concert photos at Austin 101 Magazine.