Steve Earle’s got some stories. You don’t pal around with Townes Van Zandt, sustain a 30-year career in music, survive a devastating heroin addiction, serve hard time, and collect six ex-wives without gaining a few good tales to tell.
Earle’s mistakes, excesses, and fuckups shaped the three-time Grammy winner into one of the most respected living American songwriters. He’s also an accomplished actor, author, playwright, and political activist, often aligning with progressive politics.
For his new album, however, Earle returns to what he’s always done best: swaggering country-rock and story-driven ballads. So You Wannabe an Outlaw? got its start after Earle was asked to contribute two songs to the TV drama Nashville. One of those tracks, “If Mama Coulda Seen Me,” was used for the show; the other, “Lookin’ for a Woman,” was not. While on tour with Shawn Colvin last year, Earle looked at these two songs and had an epiphany.