On July 6, country rock singer-songwriter Steve Earle will be bringing his “Fifty Years of Songs and Stories” tour to Ludlow Garage. Marking 50 years since Earle moved to Nashville, these shows aim to be a stripped-down, solo showcase of popular classics like “Copperhead Road,” as well as some of Earle’s more political songs.
Between the songs, Earle will also be telling stories of his life and career. Mentored by musicians like Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Steve Earle comes from a long line of heartfelt, authentic music that stretches from country to bluegrass and folk to rock.
However, Earle isn’t just known for his music. He has taken on multiple acting roles, including as Walon, a recovering heroin addict who runs a Narcotics Anonymous group in HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Wire. Earle’s music was also featured throughout the show, with the fifth and final season featuring Earle’s take on Tom Waits’ classic “Way Down in the Hole” as the theme song.
Despite Earle having been in the music industry since his move to Nashville in 1975, the country rocker’s first album wasn’t released until 1986. His debut album, Guitar Town, finally put Earle on the map to the wider country and rock audiences in the U.S. However, it was 1988 when he exploded into mainstream notoriety, with his single “Copperhead Road” hitting No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart. To this day, “Copperhead Road” has remained a staple of parties and line dances in the South, and in 2023 became one of Tennessee’s official state songs.
With 61 shows stretching across the country from late May to the end of August, Earle is determined to spread the story of his rise to stardom, fall to addiction and his rise again.
Steve Earle plays the Ludlow Garage on July 6 at 7:30 p.m. More info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.
This story is featured in CityBeat’s May 28 print edition.
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 10, 2025.