Hardcore Troubadour : The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle

Hardcore Troubadour
Author(s): Lauren St John

If Steve Earle weren't a living, breathing person, he'd be a character in a blues song -- a raucous ballad about a gifted rebel who drank too much, lost most of his women in a blizzard of crack and cocaine addiction, and always came out on the wrong side of the law. Somewhere in the midst of all this, he also managed to weld rock to country, the Beatles to Springsteen, and bluegrass to punk, establishing himself among the most thoroughly original and politically astute musicians of his generation. Granted unrestricted access to Steve and his family and friends, Lauren St John has given us a sometimes shocking, often moving, and completely unvarnished biography of one of America's most talismanic sons.

Review(s):
“St. John does a fantastic job...Earle’s story is a reminder that not all addict musicians burn out and die.”
“A sympathetic look at Earle..that doesn’t cover up any blemishes...an on-the-mark biography.”
“A no-holds barred portrait of a controversial artist who came back from the brink.”
“A dark and compelling tale.”
“Steve Earle deserves any attention he gets.”
“Harrowing and inspirational.”
“Hardcore Troubadour offers intimate and accurate behind-the-scenes of the songwriter’s trials and tribulations....a fascinating new biography.”
“Brilliant...St. John manages to demythologize a man whose life often threatens to overshadow his music.”
“St John tells Earle’s story in grisly detail, thereby baring “the stuff that legends are made of.”
“A wonderfully spirited and sympathetic new biography...Earle is a worthy successor to the all–time greats of American music.”



ISBN:  9780007161256