Steve Earle on David Letterman in 1988 performing Copperhead Road and being interviewed after. His guitarist at the time, Zip Gibson is playing guitar with Letterman's house band.
I saw Steve Earle back in 1990, and I was so excited prior to, so overwhelmed during, that when it was over I still couldn't believe it happened. There has never been a concert before or after. There were about 2400 fans and we were there because we loved Steve Earle. He and his band ran on stage at 20 to 8 and said goodnight at 11:30 with this song -- and never a break. He sang and chatted and it was the best. It is still the very best concert I've ever seen. He's a true legend.
I live in the middle of nowhere. We have to go to Vancouver to see anything. It's not really in the budget to get to many concerts. It was nearly 20 years ago now, Steve was in Vancouver BC, solo. My wife was going on a scholarship program trip so I bought tickets for the concert, an extra plane ticket for me. The feelings you described are exactly what I felt. I have hours of Steve Earle songs on my play list.
Steve Earle is and always has been the real deal. An incredibly talented songwriter and performer. Yeah, he's had his "issues" over the years, but he's never boring. And for those who comment on his looks, take a gander at his gorgeous wife...he's having the last laugh on all of you.
I love everything about this man. Even loaded on smack, he is a better, more talented human than most of us can ever hope to be. He has inspired me both as a person and as an artist. Steve Earle. Yes.
Check out Heartworm Highways on RU-vid. Steve, Rodney Crowell Guy Clark and Friends at Guy's house Christmas Eve 1975. Steve is 20 years old and kicks a**.
@@revolutionday1 This is absolutely not true. I have seen him many times and it is always a great show. He plays long shows, has gathered a stellar band and loves being in front of an audience. He has improved his guitar playing and works hard to keep his voice up, though has some breathing issues due to his past drug and cigarette use.
God bless Steve Earle. Even when he was at the worst of his dope sickness, he never failed to give 100%. I've been a fan for years and years and hope he lives til we are both old folks!
@@warshipsatin8764 probably not too happy with them. I heard a story, no actually read it in Hard core troubadour, that he once dumped a plate of food over Tony Rice's head in a restaurant. I'm pretty sure it was Tony Rice. They were disagreeing over the cover for Exit 0. Tony wanted the usual picture of the artist on the album cover. Steve wanted a picture of the sign. Anyhow according to the book he dumped his plate of food on Tony's head and walked out. I think I'll check that out of the library again and reread it. It was a very interesting story. I may have some of the facts wrong. Guess one good thing about getting old is that you can reread books that you read a long time ago and not remember the ending. Lol It seems like Steve has stayed clean for a while now. Surprised he didn't take a hard fall off the wagon when his son died. I still think he is one of the best songwriters ever.
Very cool clip! Back in the days when the artist performed, then was brought over to chat for a minute! They don't do THAT any more, unless you're a brain-dead prissy pop star! And kudos to Steve Earle for having a heart for homeless children!
i had a 2 week old baby when this came out....Steve Earle, no matter the year, time or political climate, is the best singer songwriter in the world...and i will say that standing on his new coffee table in New York City...i saw him in Minneapolis in March, and am going to see him again in Duluth on July 19...incredible, a wonderful artist and great man...God bless Steve Earle....
I remember the first time I heard this song, on the radio, in 1988. The first thing I thought was "is this the same guy who made just two kickin' rockabilly albums?" The second thing was MY GOD THIS IS A FANTASTIC SONG! I ran out and added Steve's newest to my LP library, wore it out until the grooves went grey. So happy that Steve is clean and sober today, and has lost none of his power. God Bless Steve Earle!
@Erik Tool Thanks loser. Like you know someone's chemical history night to night. Do you have cameras in his bedroom too so you can judge his sex life. Get over yourself dork.
always loved this song, never watched a live version, always the sign of a true musician when the live version is as good or better than the studio version
I'm a latecomer to listening to Steve. I have an ad in my kitchen from IHEG in Northhampton Mass from I don't know how many years ago. He played the Calvin Theater. I never got to go. I didn't know a thing about him, just had heard his name here and there. Well, sometime last year I saw him playing the Bearsville Theater which is in or just outside of Woodstock NY depending who you ask. And he played one song, I said either to myself or out loud, "where has this guy been all my life." Whatever it was he did cut right into me. I put on Goodbye or Valentine's Day and I mean i feel real heartache. For s a little more upbeat but still poignant there's Copperhead or Rich Man's War or Gringo's Tale. Just a few nights ago I listened to Fort Worth Blues for the first time. So the good news is, I'm a latecomer but there's still a treasure of songs from Steve Earle to feel my way around in.
Earle is intensely talented and marches to the beat of his own drum...and as usual in Nashville, if you're not doing the stuff the circle of 15 songwriters put in front of you, it hurts you.
Not just back in the day. The last few years before he retired Letterman was booking a lot of independent American and Blues artists. He is a serious fan, and has helped artists like Jason Isbell get more recognition.
Listening to this on the day Former President T is being arraigned in NY - I look at days like this & just thank god we have men like Steve Earle & PDT
This was a number one and Steve is legend ..band is terrific..never forgotten..rhythem and melody is phenomenal ..going out airwave and fans loves the sound..Sensational
Know its been 6 years since you posted your comment, but man it would be awesome to hear that song on vinyl playing again. Love all the pops and crackles the records make.
First show I ever went to was Steve Earle in Knoxville, TN. :) From here, used to get a kick out of the Knoxville reference when I was a kid. My dad introduced me to his music when I was really young. Used to ride around listening to Steve Earle on the tapedeck in his truck. I think my next concert was at the same place, not long after, and that one was to see John Prine...another great artist. Then I saw Alison Krauss there not long after that. All back in the mid '90s or so. Good times. Steve was awesome to see live. I think that's when I really fell in love with music. Seeing it all put together on a stage, all the hard work coming together to create an awesome show. Funny too, I noticed this was recorded the same year I was born. '88.
I’m from Morgan County about 45 miles west of Knoxville. I was in the Army in Germany when this came out. The Knoxville mention made my head swell as well! Great times and memories! This whole album is great! ‘Johnny Come Lately’, ‘The Devils Right Hand’ and ‘Snake Oil’, great tunes!!
I moved to Knoxville from Nashville. Nashville isn't exactly Steve Earle's biggest fan due to his politics and his alternative style, but Appalachian people absolutely love him and the tales he tells in his songs about Appalachia.
@@k.g.alatore355 Really? I'd figure that the opposite would be true. Nashville is pretty blue and Steve seems to be as well. In fact, he played the same theater I saw him play at here in Knoxville and a lot of people got up and left because he started rambling on about politics. I still love his music and really nothing he says about politics is going to get me to stop listening. He still writes great music about Appalachia.
I love this song; it was the first song I learned to play on my mandolin. "Galway Girl" was the first I learned on guitar. There will never be anybody like Steve Earle.
grunge got monotonous. hair bands were bad memory. classic rock, been there, done that! (but still do it) I was in a music slump. My cousin's ranch needed work, I needed change. First c.d. he put on while we worked was "Train a comin" Slump over! I've battled hard drugs from16 on. Many detox, rehab..yada, yada. Must be fast on my feet cause on the19th I'll be 62! I've outlived most the folks that said I'd never make it. Steve Earle Knows. He's crammed alot of life into his years. All his albums really "scratch that itch", music wise. Thanks Steve..You're ballads, hard rock, etc. have put a hitch in this old dogs giddyup.
Mark Harris huge Steve Earle fan.........now a mark Harris fan!......giggled right up......mark - scratch that itch with a hitch in your giddy up.....someone write a song all royalties mark Harris.......cheers mate
My family farms here in Kansas. Often my older brother and some close friends would pack a couple coolers full of beer and go driving dirt from about 6pm until early morning. Listening to Earl and loving life. He reminds me of those spring and summer evenings every time I hear his music. He Has no idea we still wore out his CDs in the early 2000s.
Had to go to the kitchen and get a shot glass full of homemade before I watched this....think I'll get me a' nother'n. I was trying to find the Steve, Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell etc. kitchen table jam.
I'm Ohio-born, haven't seen America in 66 years, danke-gott, but when I'd first heard you do this song there was a little bit of peace came with it, guess that's a subdued thank you...
