SXSW 2007: Steve Earle

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Unwilling to define himself as a country artist or a roots rocker, Steve Earle found that record labels had a difficult time promoting him in the mid-'80s. His stubbornness paid off, though, and he soon built a cult following that recognized his creative synthesis of genres. After a stint in prison and his abandonment by country radio, Earle has become increasingly outspoken in recent years. His albums Jerusalem and The Revolution Starts... Now feature a striking storytelling sensibility that presents his case powerfully and aggressively.

KUT reflects Austin's diverse live music scene: Americana, rock, folk, jazz, and blues.