At first, Earle appeared to be more indebted to the rock side than country, as he played. Earle emerged in the mid-'80s, after Bruce Springsteen had popularized populist rock & roll and Dwight Yoakam had kick-started the neo-traditionalist movement in country music. The recording features the latest incarnation of Steve’s backing band, The Dukes – Chris Masterson on guitar, Eleanor Whitmore on fiddle & vocals, Ricky Ray Jackson on pedal steel, guitar & dobro, Brad Pemberton on drums & percussion, and Jeff Hill on acoustic & electric bass. In the strictest sense, Steve Earle isn't a country artist he's a roots rocker. While somber in parts, the album is ultimately a rousing celebration of a life lived with passion and purpose. James Earle, the three-year-old daughter of Justin and Jenn Earle. closes with “Last Words,” a song Steve wrote for Justin.ġ00% of the artist advances and royalties from J.T. finds Steve Earle & The Dukes covering 10 of Justin’s songs – from “ I Don’t Care,” which appeared on his 2007 debut EP, Yuma, and a trio of selections from his full-length debut album, The Good Life ( “Ain’t Glad I’m Leaving,” “Far Away In Another Town” and “Lone Pine Hill”) to later compositions like 2017’s “Champagne Corolla” and 2019’s “The Saint Of Lost Causes,” which was the title track of Justin’s eighth and final studio album. The album was released digitally on what would have been Justin’s 39th birthday, January 4, 2021, via New West Records. On the new album, J.T., Steve Earle & The Dukes pay tribute to Steve’s late son, Justin Townes Earle (J.T.), who passed away on Augin Nashville.
