Steve Earle - Singer-songwriter, Life Achievements and Family
Steve Earle's Personal Details
Steve Earle is a Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, whose albums have a mix of folk, country and rock music
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | January 17, 1955 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Alcoholics, School Dropouts, Musicians, Guitarists, Lyricists & Songwriters, Country Musicians, Singers, Singer-songwriter |
| Spouses | Allison Moorer (m. 2005), Carol-Ann Hunter (m. 1981–1987), Cynthia Dunn (m. 1977–1980), Lou-Anne Gill (m. 1993–1997), Maria Teresa Ensenat (m. 1988–1992), Sandra Jean Henderson (m. 1974–197) |
| Siblings | Stacey Earle |
| Known as | Steve Fain Earle |
| Childrens | Justin Townes Earle |
| Birth Place | Hampton, Virginia United States |
| Height | 180 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Jack Earle |
| Mother | Barbara |
| Net Worth | $18 million as of Jan 10,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Capricorn |
| Born in | Hampton, Virginia United States |
| Famous as | Musician, Singer-songwriter |
// Famous Singer-songwriter
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell is an American singer and songwriter. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family, personal life, birthday, etc.
Israel Houghton
Israel Houghton is a Grammy award-winning American Christian music recording artist, songwriter, producer and worship leader. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.
Bea Miller
Check out all that you wanted to know about Bea Miller, the famous singer & actress; her birthday, her family and personal life, her boyfriends, fun trivia facts and more.
Steve Earle's photo
Who is Steve Earle?
Steve Earle is one of the most recognized names in the American music industry. With over three decades of experience in music, he is today the leading musician of the country and a protégé of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. He popularized the genre of folk and country music and kick-started the neo-traditionalist movement in country music. What is interesting to note is that Steve Earle never completely conformed to the rules of country or rock music and instead derived a music that broke through the mainstream of both the genres. Remarkably, he successfully derived a cult following from both country and rock music fans. Earle’s music career kick started in 1982, as a songwriter in Nashville. During this time, he released his first EP. His first debut album released was ‘Guitar Town’ in 1986. Though drugs and personal problems derailed his career for some time, he bounced back with a revived energy and enthusiasm. Till date, he has fourteen studio albums to his credit, fourteen Grammy nominations and three Grammy awards. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris. Other than music, he has appeared in films and television, written a novel, a play, and a book of short stories.
// Famous School Dropouts
Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski was a German-born American novelist, short story writer and poet. With this biography, learn in details about his childhood, life, works, career and timeline
Henry Cavendish
Henry Cavendish was a theoretical chemist and physicist, renowned for discovery of hydrogen and calculation of the mass of earth. To know more about his childhood, profile, timeline and career read on
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman is one of the most talented actors that the Hollywood film industry can boast of. Browse through this biography to get detailed information regarding her life, childhood, profile & timeline
Childhood & Early Life
Steve Earle was born to Jack and Barbara Thomas Earle in Fort Monroe, Virginia. His father was an air traffic controller by profession. He had four siblings.
He spent much of his growing up years in San Antonio, Texas. Musically inclined since young, he first got hands on his guitar at the age of 11. Within two years, he had mastered the stringed device, emerging third at a school contest.
Inspired by legendary folk-rock musicians Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Woody Guthrie, he dropped out of school at the age of 16 and moved to Houston with his uncle who was also a musician.It was at Houston that he finally met his idol, Van Zandt who became his role model.
Career
In 1974, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He took up various odd jobs during the day to survive a living, while at night dedicated his time to playing music. He even wrote songs and played bass guitar in Guy Clark’s album, “Old No 1’.
In 1975, he made a cameo appearance in the film, ‘Heartworn Highways’. He even found employment as a staff songwriter for a publishing company called Sunbury Dunbar.
He momentarily returned to Texas and immediately set up a band, ‘The Dukes’. However, his time in Texas was a short-lived one as he moved back to Nashville and started working as a songwriter for the publishers Roy Dea and Pat Clark
His song ‘Mustang Wine’, originally written for Elvis Presley was finally sung by Carl Perkins. Later on, he co-wrote a song with John Scott Sherrill, ‘When You Fall in Love’, which was recorded by Johnny Lee. It made it to the number 14 position on the country charts.
In 1982, he released an EP, ‘Pink & Black’. The following year, the EP was sent to Epic Records, who signed a contract with Earle. In 1983, he signed a record deal with CBS as well, and recorded a ‘neo-rockabilly album’.
Once he had fulfilled the ties with Epic Records, he signed a seven record deal with MCA Records. In 1986, he released his first full length album, titled ‘Guitar Town’. The album was a major commercial hit and garnered positive reviews. It also earned him two Grammy nominations.
After the flying success of his debut album, he released a compilation of earlier recordings titled, ‘Early Tracks’ in 1987 and an album with Dukes titled, ‘Exit 0’. While ‘Early Track’ received positive reviews, ‘Exit 0’ earned him his third and fourth Grammy nominations.
In 1989, he released his next album, ‘Copperhead Road’. Much unlike his previous music explorations, this album had a strong inclination towards rock. It did average business in the US, while in the UK it was better marketed and received.
‘The Hard Way’ album followed in 1990 which further propelled his venture into the world of rock music. The album had a strong rock music and was followed up by a live album in 1991, titled ‘Shut Up And Die Like An Aviator’. It was also co-incidentally the last album of his contract with MCA Records.
Following the end of his contract with MCA, he underwent a period of creative drought. He did not record even a single track thus disappearing from the scene completely.
In 1994, Barbara Behler, John Dotson and Mark Brown released a compilation of his unreleased and unrecorded songs, in an in-house CD titled, ‘Uncut Gems’. The songs were later recorded by prominent artists of Nashville.
The music hiatus finally ended in 1995 when ‘Train’ A Comin’ was released. The album marked his return to folk music, much like his earlier days in music. It was positively received and gained him his fifth Grammy nomination.
In 1996, he formed his own record label, ‘E-Squared Records’ and released the album, ‘I Feel Alight’. The album was unique in terms of its composition as it had traits of country, rock and rockabilly music.
‘El Corazon’ marked his next programmed release in 1997. The album was released on his own record label and earned him his sixth Grammy nomination. Critics even declared the album as the ‘capstone’ of his comeback.
Year 1999 was a time of exploration and experimentation as he made a foray into bluegrass influenced music with the album, ‘The Mountain’ with Del McCoury Band. Despite it being his first ever attempt into the genre, the album was well received and earned him his seventh Grammy nomination.
The new millennium opened on a strong note for this talented musician and he released the album, ‘Transcendental Blues’ that had mix of bluegrass, rock and Irish music. The album won him his eight Grammy nomination.
In 2002, he released the album, ‘Jerusalem’, which openly expressed his leftist views and anti-war and anti-death penalty sentiments. The following year, he released a live album ‘Just an American Boy’
In 2004, he released the album, ‘The Revolution Starts Now’, which had a collection of songs influenced by the Iraq war and the policies of the George W. Bush administration. It finally earned him his first Grammy Award in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album.
From 2004 to 2007, he hosted a radio show on Air America. Meanwhile in 2006, he contributed for a cover of Randy Newman's song ‘Rednecks’.
In 2007, he released his twelfth studio album, ‘Washington Square Serenade’. The album was the first which featured his use of digital audio recording. It also won him his second Grammy in Best Contemporary Folk Album.
In 2009, he released a tribute album, ‘Townes’. The album featured 15 songs written by Townes Van Zandt. The album was commercially and critically well received and helped him bag his third Grammy award in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album.
In 2011, he turned a writer with the release of his first novel and fourteenth studio album, both with the same title ‘I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive’.
Awards & Achievements
Till date, he has received fourteen Grammy nominations in various categories out of which he has won three in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album for, ‘The Revolution Starts Now’, ‘Washington Square Serenade’ and ‘Townes’
In 1986, he was named Country Artist of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine.
The UK’s BBC Radio 2 awarded him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for song-writing in 2004.
In 2010, he was awarded the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty's Shining Star of Abolition award. The same year, he even won a nomination for an Emmy Award in the Music and Lyrics category, for the song ‘This City’, which was written for the television series Trem�.
In 2011, he was granted honorary degree from the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law.
Personal Life & Legacy
He has tied the knot seven times, out of which twice was to the same woman. His wives include, Sandra "Sandy" Henderson, Cynthia Dunn, Carol-Ann Hunter, Lou-Anne Gill, Teresa Ensenat, Lou-Anne Gill and finally to Allison Moorer.
Out of his marriage to Carol-Ann Hunter, Lou-Anne Gill and Allison Moorer, he has fathered three children.
In 1993 and 1994, he was arrested for possession of heroin, cocaine and weapon and sentenced to jail for a year. He then went into a rehab centre where he completed his treatment program.
A political activist, he has time and again voiced his opinion against capital punishment, which he considers to be his primary area of political activism.
Trivia
A multiple Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, he appeared on the HBO series ‘The Wire’ and ‘Treme’.
// Famous Guitarists
Israel Houghton
Israel Houghton is a Grammy award-winning American Christian music recording artist, songwriter, producer and worship leader. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters was a blues musician referred to as the 'father of modern Chicago blues.' Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett was an English musician best known as a member of the band Pink Floyd. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Steve Earle biography timelines
- // 17th Jan 1955Steve Earle was born to Jack and Barbara Thomas Earle in Fort Monroe, Virginia. His father was an air traffic controller by profession. He had four siblings.
- // 1974In 1974, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He took up various odd jobs during the day to survive a living, while at night dedicated his time to playing music. He even wrote songs and played bass guitar in Guy Clark’s album, “Old No 1’.
- // 1975In 1975, he made a cameo appearance in the film, ‘Heartworn Highways’. He even found employment as a staff songwriter for a publishing company called Sunbury Dunbar.
- // 1982 To 1983In 1982, he released an EP, ‘Pink & Black’. The following year, the EP was sent to Epic Records, who signed a contract with Earle. In 1983, he signed a record deal with CBS as well, and recorded a ‘neo-rockabilly album’.
- // 1986Once he had fulfilled the ties with Epic Records, he signed a seven record deal with MCA Records. In 1986, he released his first full length album, titled ‘Guitar Town’. The album was a major commercial hit and garnered positive reviews. It also earned him two Grammy nominations.
- // 1986In 1986, he was named Country Artist of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine.
- // 1987After the flying success of his debut album, he released a compilation of earlier recordings titled, ‘Early Tracks’ in 1987 and an album with Dukes titled, ‘Exit 0’. While ‘Early Track’ received positive reviews, ‘Exit 0’ earned him his third and fourth Grammy nominations.
- // 1989In 1989, he released his next album, ‘Copperhead Road’. Much unlike his previous music explorations, this album had a strong inclination towards rock. It did average business in the US, while in the UK it was better marketed and received.
- // 1990 To 1991‘The Hard Way’ album followed in 1990 which further propelled his venture into the world of rock music. The album had a strong rock music and was followed up by a live album in 1991, titled ‘Shut Up And Die Like An Aviator’. It was also co-incidentally the last album of his contract with MCA Records.
- // 1993 To 1994In 1993 and 1994, he was arrested for possession of heroin, cocaine and weapon and sentenced to jail for a year. He then went into a rehab centre where he completed his treatment program.
- // 1994In 1994, Barbara Behler, John Dotson and Mark Brown released a compilation of his unreleased and unrecorded songs, in an in-house CD titled, ‘Uncut Gems’. The songs were later recorded by prominent artists of Nashville.
- // 1995The music hiatus finally ended in 1995 when ‘Train’ A Comin’ was released. The album marked his return to folk music, much like his earlier days in music. It was positively received and gained him his fifth Grammy nomination.
- // 1996In 1996, he formed his own record label, ‘E-Squared Records’ and released the album, ‘I Feel Alight’. The album was unique in terms of its composition as it had traits of country, rock and rockabilly music.
- // 1997‘El Corazon’ marked his next programmed release in 1997. The album was released on his own record label and earned him his sixth Grammy nomination. Critics even declared the album as the ‘capstone’ of his comeback.
- // 1999Year 1999 was a time of exploration and experimentation as he made a foray into bluegrass influenced music with the album, ‘The Mountain’ with Del McCoury Band. Despite it being his first ever attempt into the genre, the album was well received and earned him his seventh Grammy nomination.
- // 2002In 2002, he released the album, ‘Jerusalem’, which openly expressed his leftist views and anti-war and anti-death penalty sentiments. The following year, he released a live album ‘Just an American Boy’
- // 2004In 2004, he released the album, ‘The Revolution Starts Now’, which had a collection of songs influenced by the Iraq war and the policies of the George W. Bush administration. It finally earned him his first Grammy Award in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album.
- // 2004 To 2007From 2004 to 2007, he hosted a radio show on Air America. Meanwhile in 2006, he contributed for a cover of Randy Newman's song ‘Rednecks’.
- // 2004The UK’s BBC Radio 2 awarded him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for song-writing in 2004.
- // 2007In 2007, he released his twelfth studio album, ‘Washington Square Serenade’. The album was the first which featured his use of digital audio recording. It also won him his second Grammy in Best Contemporary Folk Album.
- // 2009In 2009, he released a tribute album, ‘Townes’. The album featured 15 songs written by Townes Van Zandt. The album was commercially and critically well received and helped him bag his third Grammy award in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album.
- // 2010In 2010, he was awarded the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty's Shining Star of Abolition award. The same year, he even won a nomination for an Emmy Award in the Music and Lyrics category, for the song ‘This City’, which was written for the television series Trem�.
- // 2011In 2011, he turned a writer with the release of his first novel and fourteenth studio album, both with the same title ‘I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive’.
- // 2011In 2011, he was granted honorary degree from the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law.
// Famous Country Musicians
Keith Urban
Keith Urban is a Grammy Award winning country music singer and guitarist. This biography of Keith Urban provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr is the legendary drummer for ‘The Beatles’. He is also a singer, songwriter and actor. This biography profiles his childhood, life, music career, achievements and timeline.
Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson is an American singer, songwriter and actor. This biography profiles his childhood, career, life, achievements & timeline.
Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson was an American musician, singer-songwriter, and an actor. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about his life.
GG Allin
GG Allin was a controversial American punk rock singer and songwriter. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, career, achievements and timeline.
Steve Earle's FAQ
What is Steve Earle birthday?
Steve Earle was born at 1955-01-17
Where is Steve Earle's birth place?
Steve Earle was born in Hampton, Virginia United States
What is Steve Earle nationalities?
Steve Earle's nationalities is American
Who is Steve Earle spouses?
Steve Earle's spouses is Allison Moorer (m. 2005), Carol-Ann Hunter (m. 1981–1987), Cynthia Dunn (m. 1977–1980), Lou-Anne Gill (m. 1993–1997), Maria Teresa Ensenat (m. 1988–1992), Sandra Jean Henderson (m. 1974–197)
Who is Steve Earle siblings?
Steve Earle's siblings is Stacey Earle
Who is Steve Earle childrens?
Steve Earle's childrens is Justin Townes Earle
How tall is Steve Earle?
Steve Earle's height is 180
Who is Steve Earle's father?
Steve Earle's father is Jack Earle
Who is Steve Earle's mother?
Steve Earle's mother is Barbara
What is Steve Earle's sun sign?
Steve Earle is Capricorn
How famous is Steve Earle?
Steve Earle is famouse as Musician, Singer-songwriter