Paramount Bristol: Steve Earle & The Dukes

Three-time Grammy Award recipient and 11-time Grammy nominee Steve Earle is a cornerstone artist of Americana music. One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation; he has released 20 albums, a number of them with his longtime band the Dukes. Earle and the Dukes are on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of Copperhead Road, Earle’s third album, which was released to widespread acclaim in 1998. Copperhead Road is called Earle’s first “rock album” because it introduces country music’s storytelling and three-chord structures to rockabilly and contemporary rock music. Earle himself described it as “heavy-metal bluegrass.” It more than lives up to that description, hitting a just-right synthesis of acoustic strumming and electric guitar power chords (not to mention the occasional bagpipe). In addition to performing Copperhead Road in its entirety, Earl includes tunes from his 2017 release “So You Wanna Be An Outlaw” which explores his country songwriting roots and includes collaborations with Willie Nelson, Johnny Bush and Miranda Lambert.

The Mastersons, husband and wife duo of Chris Masterson (guitar and vocals) and Eleanor Whitmore (violin and vocals), have been integral members of Steve Earle’s band for many years and are opening for Earle on this tour. They have released three albums filled with irresistible melodies, buoyant harmonies and stellar songwriting.