jason isbell tour 2021

an image, when javascript is unavailable

Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams Announce 2021 Tour

By Joseph Hudak

Joseph Hudak

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will play a string of West Coast and Texas shows next summer with Lucinda Williams opening.

The 2021 dates with special guest Williams, who released her latest album Good Souls Better Angels in April, begin July 19th in Vancouver and include stops in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. The trek also hits Kansas and Arkansas before concluding with three shows in Texas in August.

Isbell released his new album Reunions in May and celebrated the LP with a crowdless livestreamed performance at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl. In addition to the newly announced dates with Williams, he and the 400 Unit have shows on the books for 2020, but as with most live concerts, those may be affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday, Isbell and his wife and bandmate Amanda Shires will appear with artists like Kacey Musgraves, Dan Auerbach, and Eric Church in an online tribute to John Prine.

Here are Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit ‘s 2021 summer tour dates: July 19, 2021 — Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre July 20 — Seattle @ Paramount Theatre July 23 — San Francisco @ The Warfield July 24 — San Francisco @ The Warfield July 25 — Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl July 27 — Los Angeles @ The Greek Theatre July 28 — San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay July 29 — Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Theatre July 31 — Salt Lake City @ Eccles Theater August 1 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre August 3 — Bonner Springs, KS @ Providence Medical Center Amphitheater August 4 — Little Rock, AR @ First Security Amphitheater August 6 — Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory August 7 — Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater August 8 — Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Meet Laundry Day, the Funniest Band on Your ‘For You’ Page

By Jeff Ihaza

Clara Bow's Family Calls Taylor Swift Song a 'Testament' to Actress' 'Legacy'

Back to the Twenties
By Tomás Mier

Taylor Swift, Drake, Hozier, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week

By Rolling Stone

Pink Files Legal Action Against Pharrell Williams Over Musician's Proposed P.Inc. Trademark

By Kory Grow

Taylor Swift Producers Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner Celebrate 'Tortured Poets' Release

Celebrated Poets

Most Popular

Ryan gosling and kate mckinnon's 'close encounter' sketch sends 'snl' cold open into hysterics, the rise and fall of gerry turner's stint as abc's first 'golden bachelor', i dream of jeannie’s barbara eden showed everyone she’s even more magical at 92 with this rare tribute, masters 2024 prize money pegged at $20m, up $2m from prior year, you might also like, kit harington pushes back against hero roles after jon snow: ‘they’re hard to make interesting’ and i’d rather play ‘f—ed up people’, queen letizia of spain dazzles in liquid maxi skirt, tweed bell sleeves and more looks for netherlands tour hosted by queen maxima, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors, ethan coen rounds out ‘honey don’t’ cast with charlie day, billy eichner, talia ryder, legends promotes levy to ceo, mirhashemi becomes vice chair.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

Join our newsletter!

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Announce Rescheduled 2021 Tour Dates

Jason Isbell, Jason Isbell rescheduled, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Jason isbell tour, Jason Isbell Reunions, Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell Amanda Shires, Billy Strings, David Crosby & Friends, Strand of Oaks, The War & Treaty, Lucinda Williams

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit have announced a preliminary set of rescheduled 2021 tour dates. The Americana outfit was set to hit the road in May in promotion of their new album, Reunions .

Back in February, Isbell and company announced a marathon international tour schedule that would stretch over nine non-continuous months. The tour was scheduled to feature support from Billy Strings , David Crosby & Friends , Strand of Oaks , The War & Treaty , and Lucinda Williams .

Related: John Prine Livestream Tribute, ‘Picture Show’, To Feature Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Dan Auerbach, More

In the new tour schedule released on Monday, the opening acts have been restricted to Williams and Strand of Oaks. Additionally, only the North American rescheduled dates have been released. The tour now begins on April 15th in Milwaukee, WI and continues on to Minneapolis, MN on the 16th; East Moline, IL (4/17); and St. Louis, MO (4/18). Then tour then picks back up on July 19th in Vancouver, BC; Seattle, WA (7/20); San Francisco, CA (7/23—5); Los Angeles, CA (7/27); San Diego, CA (7/28); Reno, NV (7/29); Salt Lake City, UT (7/31); Morrison, CO (8/1); Bonner Springs, KS (8/3); Little Rock, AR (8/4); Dallas, TX (8/6); and finally Austin, TX (8/7—8).

Tickets purchased for the original 2020 tour dates will also be honored at the rescheduled 2021 dates. For tickets and further tour information, head to Jason Isbell’s website . Check out the Live For Live Music concert cancellation tracker for daily updates on the state of live music.

Subscribe to Relix
Radio Charts
Livestream Guide

Current Issue Details

Buy Current Issue

Published: 2020/06/10

Jason Isbell and Lucinda Williams Schedule 2021 Summer Tour

Jason Isbell by Bill Kelly, Lucinda Williams by Dino Perrucci

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit are already looking ahead to 2021, teaming up with legendary songwriter Lucinda Williams for a batch of coast-to-coast dates.

Isbell recently rang in the release of his newest album Reunions with a crowdless show at the Brooklyn Bowl Nashville .

However, these 15 dates with Williams – beginning on July 19, 2021 in Vancouver and closing on Aug. 7/8 in Austin, Tx. – will serve as a late celebration of the new release.

For ticketing information click here .

Check out the full list of 2021 dates below:

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and Lucinda Williams 2021 Tour Dates: July 19 — Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre July 20 — Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre July 23 — San Francisco, CA – The Warfield July 24 — San Francisco, CA – The Warfield July 25 — Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl July 27 — Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre July 28 — San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay July 29 — Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Theatre July 31 — Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater Aug. 1 — Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre Aug. 3 — Bonner Springs, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater Aug. 4 — Little Rock, AR – First Security Amphitheater Aug. 6 — Dallas, TX – The Bomb Factory Aug. 7 — Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater Aug. 8 — Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Show 6 Comments

6 Comments comments associated with this post

Rainydayman

Is there a coast on the Great Salt Lake?

Wait…what happened to Billy Strings?

Now that’s funny.

why is it funny? the tickets we bought for this summer’s tour were for Isbell and Billy Strings. The shows were “rescheduled”. Now I’m finding out no Billy Strings?

Did I miss something? What is “coast to coast” about when they are coming no further East than Little Rock?

“Coast-to-coast” generally implies a band plays in both sides of the country, no?

Note: It may take a moment for your post to appear

Join us on Social

Lucinda Williams

Photo: Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

Lucinda Williams & Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Announce 2021 Tour Dates

Both GRAMMY-winning Americana trailblazers have new albums out now

In a songwriter's dream double-header, Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit will team up for a run of dates next summer across the West Coast and Southwest U.S.

The 15-date run kicks off in Vancouver on July 19 and wraps up with a pair of shows at Austin City Limits Live on Aug. 7 & 8.

Williams recently released her raucous new offering, Good Souls Better Angels, on April 24, and you can read the Recording Academy's exclusive interview about the project here . Isbell and his band also dropped new music recently, treating fans to Reunions on May 15. Both efforts show a pioneer of Americana continuing to push their own songwriting limits.

"There's already a lot of songs in the world; a lot of really, really good ones about all kinds of things. So the challenge more often than not for me is to find a new angle," Isbell told NPR .

For a full list of tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit Williams' website .

Read More: The Rebellious Brilliance Of Lucinda Williams

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016

Upon winning the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album for 'To Pimp a Butterfly,' Kendrick Lamar thanked those that helped him get to the stage, and the artists that blazed the trail for him.

Updated Friday Oct. 13, 2023 to include info about Kendrick Lamar's most recent GRAMMY wins, as of the 2023 GRAMMYs.

A GRAMMY veteran these days, Kendrick Lamar has won 17 GRAMMYs and has received 47 GRAMMY nominations overall. A sizable chunk of his trophies came from the 58th annual GRAMMY Awards in 2016, when he walked away with five — including his first-ever win in the Best Rap Album category.

This installment of GRAMMY Rewind turns back the clock to 2016, revisiting Lamar's acceptance speech upon winning Best Rap Album for To Pimp A Butterfly . Though Lamar was alone on stage, he made it clear that he wouldn't be at the top of his game without the help of a broad support system.

"First off, all glory to God, that's for sure," he said, kicking off a speech that went on to thank his parents, who he described as his "those who gave me the responsibility of knowing, of accepting the good with the bad."

Looking for more GRAMMYs news? The 2024 GRAMMY nominations are here!

He also extended his love and gratitude to his fiancée, Whitney Alford, and shouted out his Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates. Lamar specifically praised Top Dawg's CEO, Anthony Tiffith, for finding and developing raw talent that might not otherwise get the chance to pursue their musical dreams.

"We'd never forget that: Taking these kids out of the projects, out of Compton, and putting them right here on this stage, to be the best that they can be," Lamar — a Compton native himself — continued, leading into an impassioned conclusion spotlighting some of the cornerstone rap albums that came before To Pimp a Butterfly .

"Hip-hop. Ice Cube . This is for hip-hop," he said. "This is for Snoop Dogg , Doggystyle . This is for Illmatic , this is for Nas . We will live forever. Believe that."

To Pimp a Butterfly singles "Alright" and "These Walls" earned Lamar three more GRAMMYs that night, the former winning Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song and the latter taking Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (the song features Bilal , Anna Wise and Thundercat ). He also won Best Music Video for the remix of Taylor Swift 's "Bad Blood."

Lamar has since won Best Rap Album two more times, taking home the golden gramophone in 2018 for his blockbuster LP DAMN ., and in 2023 for his bold fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers .

Watch Lamar's full acceptance speech above, and check back at GRAMMY.com every Friday for more GRAMMY Rewind episodes.

10 Essential Facts To Know About GRAMMY-Winning Rapper J. Cole

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc. via Getty Images

'Decoration Day' At 20: How Drive-By Truckers Dialed Back The Satire And Opened Their Hearts

On their divorce-themed fourth album 'Decoration Day,' the brilliant, perennially misunderstood Drive-By Truckers got realer than ever about family, divorce and the consequences of our choices.

It's a spine-tingling feeling for a Drive-By Truckers album to begin a cappella; although it's only happened on three of them, it feels like a trademark, a wink. And when singer, songwriter and co-leader Patterson Hood comes in alone, it's like a single lightbulb flaring up, illuminating the dusty air, brighter than creation's dark .

"By the time you were born, there were four other siblings/ With your mama awaiting your daddy in jail," Hood warbles through his mealy Alabaman twang at the top of 2002's Decoration Day — one of the cult rock band's most beloved albums. "And your oldest brother was away at a home/ And you didn't meet him 'til you were 19 years old."

So begins "The Deeper In," one of Drive-By Truckers' prettiest and most affecting songs. With immense pathos and an odd sense of sweetness, Hood tells the true story of a brother and sister falling in love with each other, having four babies and going to prison for their incestuous relationship.

Despite this unconventional and taboo subject matter, by the end of these three minutes and 16 seconds, even the uninitiated can behold the Truckers' giant, beating heart.

"It's not like they grew up together as brother and sister gettin' it on," Hood remembered more than a decade later. "They didn't meet until they were grown-ups, and it was just such a sad story.

"A lot of the people I write about are nothing like me, but there has to be some aspect to them that I can feel a certain empathy for or else I'm not interested in writing it," he continued. "I try never to be condescending to the characters I write about, even the really s—y ones."

Which makes it the perfect gateway to Drive-By Truckers' fourth album.

Named for the day that southern churches place fresh flowers on the graves of their ancestors, Decoration Day is their most vulnerable album by some margin, and a pivotal entry in the Athens, Georgia-formed rockers’ discography. On June 17, the album will ring in two decades in DBT fans' ears and hearts.

Since then, Drive-By Truckers have evolved from scrappy, brainy, misunderstood road dogs to a bona fide rock institution. And their ex-guitarist, singer and songwriter Jason Isbell — who made his precocious debut on Decoration Day — has led a GRAMMY-winning solo career that involves things like a GQ spread , an HBO doc and a forthcoming Martin Scorcese flick, Killers of the Flower Moon .

As such, the story of Decoration Day has necessarily been told and retold:

After three failed bands together, Hood and his partner and foil, Mike Cooley — two incredibly distinct yet totally simpatico songwriters — finally get their big break with their fourth. Afterward, their band tours for two years, wherein a gifted, 22-year-old upstart jumps in the van as third guitarist. Within two weeks, he writes two of their finest songs, "Outfit" and "Decoration Day."

Given their breakneck touring schedule, relationships frayed back home. Hood and Cooley write about the attendant emotions, and their lyrical references, characters and themes swirling into a matrix of grief, despondency and regret.

"Everyone in the band was either going through a divorce or on the verge of one when we made that record," Hood tells GRAMMY.com of Decoration Day . "Because that was about the time that we had really hit a tipping point of being on the road 200-plus days a year, and no one making any money. And everyone's wife's saying, 'F— this.' Except for Cooley's wife, who's still here."

But when they picked up their instruments, the result was explosive joy; Hood, Cooley and Isbell remember the Decoration Day era as an unmitigated blast. But more than on any past Drive-By Truckers album, their candid, evocative lyrics made the material penetrate the heart.

In a single line in the shattered "Sounds Better in the Song," Cooley seems to sum up Decoration Day in its totality: "I might as well have put that ring on her finger/ From the window of a van as it drove away."

While it's been beloved by fans since its release — and as Hood says, it still sells well today — Decoration Day can be somewhat subsumed by the two other major albums that precede and succeed it.

But while 2001's Southern Rock Opera and 2005 's The Dirty South also represent DBT at their finest — full of crackling storytelling, elephantine performances, sticky melodies, and idiosyncratic turns of phrase — there's a case to be made for Decoration Day as their crown jewel.

Because from the album opener onward to "My Sweet Annette," "Heathens," "Sounds Better in the Song," and so many other tracks — Decoration Day is arguably the most personal and heart-forward album the Truckers ever made.

Drive-By Truckers' first two albums contained some of their most representative songs, like "The Living Bubba," "Uncle Frank," "Love Like This," and "One of These Days." Still, those tended to be sandwiched between a lot of goofs and piss-takes, from "Steve McQueen" to "The President's Penis is Missing" to "The Night G.G. Allin Came to Town."

As Isbell tells GRAMMY.com, Hood and Cooley's irrepressible humor and irony reached a crossroads on Southern Rock Opera .

"They finally fully accepted a persona, and wrote songs that were specifically for Southern Rock Opera , and a lot of those were in character," he says. "And I think once they did that, and got that out of their system, Hood and Cooley both felt freer to be themselves in songs, and take it a little bit more seriously."

Even when Hood sings in character — like the foreclosed farmer plotting a "banker man's" homicide in Decoration Day 's one-take scorcher "Sink Hole" — there's a splash of real-life battery acid in his delivery; his fury feels wholly genuine.

Likewise, Cooley's "Marry Me" and Hood's "My Sweet Annette" — which Hood once characterized as "two very different views of marital bliss" — don't feel like character songs, despite being constructed as just that. Regardless of who the narrator is, Cooley's small-town bluster on the former, and Hood's pained, regretful delivery on the latter, hit you straight in the chest.

"Hell No, I Ain't Happy" represents the other side of the coin; between your ears and Hood's psyche, there are zero obfuscatory layers. The sound of an opening beercan kicks off one of Hood's most face-peeling meltdowns — capturing the mother of all ragged, unmoored days on the road.

"There's a purdy little girl outside the van window/ 'Bout 80 cities down, 800 to go," he roars. "Six crammed in, we ain't never alone/ Never homesick, ain't got no home."

"Outfit," Isbell's debut song for the Truckers, is also as real as it gets. A fabulously witty, detail-stuffed rundown of advice from his father, it remains one of his signature songs, a hollered audience request ever since.

Isbell calls Hood's loping, gorgeous ballad, "Heathens" his "favorite song of Patterson's — one of my favorite songs anybody's ever written." (Years after getting booted from the Truckers and cleaning up his act, Isbell covered the song for Hood's birthday; today, Hood says the two have grown especially close over the last few years.)

From there, the three songwriters keep slugging out impossibly great song after impossibly great song. The straight-ahead rocker "(Something's Got to) Give Pretty Soon" is one of the band's most perennially rewarding deep cuts — as well as one of their most raw-nerved.

"Maybe what you need is for someone to send you flowers/ Someone strong and mean who can prove he has the power to/ Show you more than charm and take you on your way/ To where you want to be at the end of the day," Hood sings. "And it breaks my heart in two to know it ain't meant to be."

"But it ain't me," he concludes.

In its final stretch, Decoration Day heads into more elliptical territory — starting roughly with Cooley 's chilling "When the Pin Hits the Shell."

Following the title track — Isbell's steely-eyed chronicling of a festering feud between families — the album concludes with "Loaded Gun in the Closet," featuring Cooley at his elusive, riddling best. To overanalyze the lyrics would be to spoil the mystery of whether the gun was ever used — and if so, which of the unwitting spouses will end up on the business end.

As a whole, Decoration Day is an album that you can revisit over and over and over, and still perceive new shades of meaning.

"That whole album is really about love and loss and the choices you make," Hood said about a decade after the album's release. "Dealing with the consequences of the choices you make is a huge overriding theme."

Which applies whether you're an incestuous couple on the lam; an exhausted, punchy rock band barrelling through the middle of nowhere; or a dysfunctional couple with an exit strategy in a waiting firearm: it's all Decoration Day .

In his nigh-definitive breakdown of DBT's discography, writer and musician James Toth characterizes the band's following album, 2004's The Dirty South as such: "If the divorce-themed Decoration Day examines the destruction of a relationship, the glacial, smoldering The Dirty South sounds like the monstrous diesel engine garbage truck that comes to collect the detritus and run over the small pieces."

A remastered, expanded edition, The Complete Dirty South , which features vocal re-recordings and tunes meant to be on the original album, is out June 16 — a day before Decoration Day 's 20th anniversary.

Coincidence or not, this proximity shows how Decoration Day profoundly widened their aperture, and allowed for that masterpiece in its own right. From there, the Truckers have continued to fine-tune all dimensions of their cockeyed universe — the personal , the political , the philosophical , the devastatingly funny . (Many of their songs being all four.)

Thereby, this so-called "Southern rock" band with a deliciously regrettable name were able to transcend their rough-and-ready original parameters, and write songs that shake you to your foundation — a giant handful of which can be found right there on Decoration Day .

One could go on and on. But it sounds better in the song.

Drive-By Truckers' Patterson Hood On Subconscious Writing, Weathering Rough Seasons & Their New Album Welcome 2 Club XIII

Photo: Danny Clinch

On 'Weathervanes,' Jason Isbell Accepts His Internal Pressures And Fears

With a revealing HBO documentary in the rearview and his first major acting role onscreen in the fall, Jason Isbell is coming to terms with having a public face. His new album with the 400 Unit, 'Weathervanes,' is the product of that self-realization.

At this stage, a Jason Isbell album isn't just an album; it's a juncture in his ongoing press narrative, another breadcrumb trail as per his personal life.

His first three after he left Drive-By Truckers represent the man in the wilderness; 2013's Southeastern and 2015's Something More Than Free were reflective of his newfound sobriety and marriage to musician Amanda Shires .

The birth of his daughter figured heavily in 2017's GRAMMY-winning The Nashville Sound ; that album's "If We Were Vampires," a duet with Shires, stands as Isbell's monument to mortality and won a GRAMMY.

With 2020's Reunions came a splashy New York Times feature about Isbell and Shires' marital struggles, with a lede about a brush with a relapse — suddenly, his ascendance seemed freighted, complicated.

All this begs the question: is having his private life codified and illuminated with each record ever irksome, or frustrating, for Isbell?

"Honestly, I think I appreciate that. I think that serves the ultimate purpose of making art — to document your life, because it is really a way of holding on to these things," he tells GRAMMY.com. "If you leave those things behind, they'll sneak up on you, and then you'll find yourself in a bad place, and you won't know why."

Isbell's new album, Weathervanes , is out June 9; it's his sixth with long-running backing band the 400 Unit. At its essence is a psychologically splintered cast of characters , found on highlights like "Death Wish," "King of Oklahoma" and "This Ain't It."

"They're fallible and they're human. And I think they're all trying to do their best in one way or another," Isbell says of the ties that bind them. "There's a lot of me that's in each of them — some moreso than others."

Rather than commenting on his marriage or sobriety, Weathervanes is the product of his changed relationship with pressure, and being in the public eye. The album arrives in the wake of Running With Our Eyes Closed , a raw-nerved HBO documentary about Isbell. He just acted in his first major film, in Martin Scorcese 's Killers of the Flower Moon , headed to theaters in October.

"It's OK to say, 'This is a scary thing to do. I'm afraid that people aren't going to connect with it in the same way, and my work is not going to have the same impact on folks that it's had in the past,'" Isbell says. "And once I learned how to admit that to myself and the people that I care about, things got a lot easier."

Read on for an in-depth interview with Isbell about the road to Weathervanes , how being directed by Scorcese informed his process in the studio and surviving his hard-partying, hard-touring Drive-By Truckers days.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Can you draw a thread between where you were at during the Reunions period, and where you're at during the Weathervanes era? The HBO documentary certainly captured the former.

Yeah, yeah. And then, in the middle, we had the lockdown and all that kind of stuff.

For me, the pandemic era — although it's not finished yet, but what we call that pandemic era, that year or two where we were all stuck in the house — was ultimately a good time for me to revisit some psychological, emotional questions that I had for myself, and I sorted a lot of that stuff.

When the bulk of the documentary was made, I was having a hard time dealing with the pressures of my work, and the pressures of family. And the main reason why I was dealing with that was because I just wasn't recognizing it for what it was, and I wasn't aware of the effect that those things were having on me.

Getting stuck in the house with my family and myself for that long, I think, really helped me; it forced me to confront that stuff and admit what it really was that was causing me difficulties. And once I got through that, things opened up and got a lot easier for me.

I had a really, really good time making Weathervanes . I don't know if I had a good time writing it, because I don't know if that's ever exactly fun. It's fun when you finish a song; it feels like you just left the gym.

But when you're sitting down in front of the blank page, it feels like you're walking into the gym, and you might have just gotten four hours of sleep the night before.

What were you dealing with internally? Just childhood stuff, stuff bugging you from the past?

There was some of that. It was also just relationship difficulties; they were just constant.

Amanda and I have been married for 10 years, and it's the kind of thing where you get in this rhythm of life where you go through the same sort of rituals every day, and you ask the same questions and you get the same answers, and it's easy to get into that monotony and not really reach and look for ways to grow.

I think before the pandemic happened, I'd gotten to a point where I was in this rhythm: go out and play shows, make records, come home, spend time with the family. I was sort of ignoring the pressure of all that, and especially in the work.

I've been very fortunate with my last few albums that they were well-received and things have gone really well. And when I go into the studio to make a record… it was hard for me to admit to myself that that caused me anxiety and a lot of stress, because I didn't like how it made me look. I wanted to look tough and look like I had everything under control.

And after making Reunions , I realized that that's not necessarily the case. And once I learned how to admit that to myself and the people that I care about, things got a lot easier.

What psychological or spiritual wells were you drawing from for these songs?

I try to make these characters, and then I follow them around. And I don't know exactly what they're going to do next. I think that's the only way to keep it really natural. There's a lot of me that's in each of them — some moreso than others. Some of the songs I write, I am writing about me.

But one of the things that I like about songwriting is that you don't really categorize music in that way. You categorize movies and books in that way; there's fiction and nonfiction, there's documentaries and other movies. But for songs, it's all of the above.

So, a lot of this is me, and a lot of it is synthesized characters that have characteristics of multiple people that I know. Then, I just let them act naturally and follow them around, and the themes find there way in there.

I don't have to insert the themes, because there's enough in my unconscious mind that the songs will wind up dealing with real things — as long as I'm honest with everybody.

There's a wide variety of perspectives and experiences in these songs. What do the Weathervanes characters have in common?

I think when it's done right, they have the same things in common that the listeners have. They're fallible and they're human. And I think they're all trying to do their best in one way or another.

That's maybe what I'm exploring more than anything else — not as a mission statement, but a connector, in hindsight, is this idea that people have different circumstances, influences and pressures exerted on them. But what does it mean to try to keep hope, and survive, and do your best in all these different stations of life?

I'm a Randy Newman fanatic; he can dispense a novel's worth of detail in just a few lines, by implying so much negative space. I've noticed you've written in character from the beginning, like him.

When I met Randy at Newport [Folk Festival], I told him the thing about how much I loved his work and everything, and he leaned in really close where nobody could hear and whispered in my ear, "I like your songs, too." That was a huge, huge moment for me. I said, "Well, you don't strike me as much of a bulls—er, so I'm going to take that."

** One of your guiding lights for Reunions ' sound was the '80s rock you enjoyed as a kid. What was the aural aesthetic for Weathervanes ? And can you talk about the learning curve of self-production? **

I started thinking, OK, here's how these records by Dire Straits and the Police sounded, and this is why they sounded that way, and this is what worked about that, and what translates to now and what doesn't, and what can be replicated and what can't .

So, I brought some of that with me into the Weathervanes recording. Most obviously, on a song like "Save the World," there was an intention I had before I went in the studio. This happens to me a lot. I'll get a big idea, and I'll think, Oh, this is great. We can do the whole record this way.

And by the time I'm in the studio, I'll think, OK, maybe we just use this as a tool. We don't do the entire record like this. Because then, that would take over the concept and distract from everything else.

At first, I wanted to make a dry record. I was listening to [1978's] Outlandos [ d'Amour ], the Police record, and there's hardly any room or reverb or anything . "Roxanne" — all those songs are right in your ear. And that's a flex, because to do that, you have to be able to sing and play with great tuning and great timing.

And the Police — first of all, there's just three of them, so it's easier to do than it is with five or six people. But they also were master musicians, and you have to be really on point to make a dry record like that, or it's going to be a mess when you go to sing the harmony.

That was something that I wound up using as a tool. I think a lot of this record has less reverb and less room on it than you would expect. I think it was done in a way where you don't necessarily notice it off the bat.

Also, watching the Get Back documentary, I thought, Man, these guys didn't have tuners. They just tuned it by ear for the whole record.

I didn't want to torture my guitar techs, so I wasn't going to make a whole record without any tuners. But there are some moments on this record where we tuned by ear rather than tuning to a machine, so it would sound more human. Really, a lot of my production style — if there is such a thing — is how do we get a little dose of humanity of something that is sort of slick and polished.

I interviewed [Drive-By Truckers co-leader] Patterson [Hood] on Zoom last year, and I was struck at how sweet and energetic he was. How did you guys walk away from those hard-touring years alive and intact?

We don't know the answer to that. We got very lucky. Also, we were white and we were male, and I think that plays a lot pinto it. I think if we had not been white, some cop would've shot us all a long time ago.

I don't know if there was some kind of divine intervention in some of those situations, but I still look back on it and think, I don't know how we survived all that . I really don't.

Were there any near-death experiences?

Oh, there were so many. We saw huge, disastrous accidents happen right in front of us. There were times when we'd be on snowy mountain passes and lose control of the van for 20 seconds, and then finally it would snap back into place. I don't know how it happened.

On a different note, you touched on gun violence in "Save the World." I was struck by how un-preachy it was. I felt like I was in your head, or privy to a family meeting.

That's the trick, you know? You have to be really personal with it, I think.

If you're writing a song about a big, heavy topic like that, don't try to ascend somebody else's perspective. Love, romance, breakups, heartbreak, death; we all have experiences with those things.

So, if that's what you're writing about, you're free to take other perspectives other than your own, because we all have that commonality. We know what those things feel like, or what the fear of those things feels like.

But when you're writing about something like school shootings: I have not been involved in one of those. I've not seen one of those go down firsthand. I've been close a couple of times, but it's not something that I could write from the perspective of somebody who was actually in the building. So to be honest with the work, what I have to do is think: How does this affect me? How do I feel about this? And then write from that perspective. I don't think anybody's ever noticed this, but the songs where I'm tackling the biggest, most complicated issues are the ones where I'm writing from the most personal point.

** Give me your personal MVP moments from the members of the 400 Unit on Weathervanes . **

[Guitarist] Sadler [Vaden] has this old Vox guitar that has built-in fuzz effects, and he played on that on "Miles," the last song on the album, and really added something special to that.

It's a vintage guitar, but not a highly collectible, very expensive guitar. It's got this weird kind of freak-out fuzz tone that is included in the instrument, and he used that on that song to great success.

Jimbo [Hart]'s bass on "Middle of the Morning" is just a beautiful groove. It's a simple part, but the timing of it it is just exactly right. He's just right in the pocket.

Chad [Gamble], on the outro to Miles, where there's multiple drum kits happening — I think he handled that beautifully, and built up to that big cymbal crash at the end.

We wanted a gong, but Blackbird [Studio in Nashville] didn't have a gong. They had this crash cymbal that was 72 inches or something; it was huge. It took up the whole reverb chamber. When Chad made the big crash at the end, we were all jumping up and screaming in the control room when it happened because it was so f—ing hilarious.

Derry [deBorja] — I feel like his synthesizer part on "Save the World" was a big moment for him. He spent a lot of time on that. We tried to send the clock from the Pro Tools session to the analog synthesizer and get it to line up.

It proved to be a very complicated exercise, because we were trying to marry new technology and old technology, but he found a way to make it work.

Let's end this with a lightning round. I polled my Facebook friends on what they'd want to ask you; it's a mix of New York music industry people and hometown friends from California.

This one's from Ryan Walsh, who leads a rock band called Hallelujah the Hills. He asks if when "white nationalist monsters" figure out your politics and tell you on Twitter they won't listen to you again, "do they really abandon ship, or is even that promise nothing but some sad barkin'?"

I don't think most of those were ever fans to begin with. I refuse to believe that those people have been actually listening to my songs all along. I think they see something that somebody's retweeted, and then they Google me and they see that I'm a musician, and they say, "I was your fan until just now." I think it's all just a b—shit tactic.

The jazz-adjacent singer/songwriter Dara Tucker says, "I'd like to hear his thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot ."

Oh, Gordon was amazing. I played a song that I wrote, "Live Oak," last week, after Gordon's passing. I mentioned from the stage that I don't think I could have written that song without Gordon's work. The way he dealt with place, and the way he made folk music very specific to his own life.

I think "Carefree Highway" was the first song where I had that kind of lightbulb moment, where I thought, Oh, he's feeling really bad about something. This is not a celebration. This is not hippy-dippy s—. This is somebody saying, "I'm sorry." And that was a big moment for me.

Journalist Tom Courtenay asks, "Does he think Nashville/radio's gatekeeping is fixable, or does it only make sense for anyone remotely subversive to work outside of it at this point?"

I think what, if anything, will fix it, is when this particular brand of straight white male country music is no longer as popular as it is.

I don't think that's a good thing. I would love to see it fixed from the inside. But the way I picture the state of popular country music right now is they're staring at a machine with a whole bunch of buttons, and there's one button that they know will spit out money when they hit it, so they just keep hitting it.

They won't take their hand off of it long enough to try any of the other buttons, even though some of the other buttons might spit out more money.

Singer/songwriter Ephraim Sommers asks, "What is his greatest difficulty, obstacle or weakness as a songwriter, and how has he worked to overcome it?"

Humor is hard. It's hard because I laugh a lot in my everyday life, and it's hard to find a way to work humor into a song. The way that I work to overcome it is just by trying to notice different situational details that would create a funny image in a song.

It's something I'm not very good at. John Prine was great at it; Todd Snider's great at it. But to be funny without being bitter in the kind of songs that i write is a real challenge.

I don't want it to be funny in a self-referential way. I would like for it to be funny no matter who was saying it or writing it. That's a tough one for me, but I just keep trying over and over and over, until finally the joke is present enough for somebody to get it.

I'll close with my own question: What's grist for the mill creatively for you right now? What are you listening to, reading or watching?

Jennifer Egan, The Candy House ; I'm reading that right now. Last night, we watched Guy Ritchie's The Covenant , the war movie. That was good. Of course, I like "Succession."

Right now, I'm just super excited about the Scorcese movie that I was in. I heard rumors that the trailer's coming out tomorrow.

Tell me about that.

That process of working on that movie really found its way into the studio when I went back to record — just the way Scorcese was able to hear other people's opinions and collaborate while still keeping his vision.

Actors are people — they're not instruments — so you can't completely manipulate them, no matter how good you are at directing. So, it's not like the director is the guitar player and the actor is the guitar. There are a bunch of real humans in the room, so they're all going to have opinions and ways of delivering things.

To see him navigate that and hear everything — and still make the movie that he saw in his mind — was a pretty incredible thing for me.

Photos: Alberto Tamargo; Xavi Torrent/WireImage; Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for REVOLVE; Rachpoot Bauer-Griffin/GC Image; Scott Dudelson/Getty Images; Mike Lewis Photography/Redferns; Jim Bennett/WireImage; Jim Bennett/Getty Images

15 Must-Hear New Albums Out This Month: Janelle Monáe, King Krule, Killer Mike & More

From highly-anticipated debuts to long-awaited returns, check out 15 albums dropping this June from Kim Petras, Amaarae, Foo Fighters and many more.

June is an important moment in the year, as it brings us Pride Month, Black Music Month and Juneteenth. It also marks the official start of summer, where rising temperatures invite late afternoons enjoying good music — whether it’s outdoors at one of the season’s many festivals or in the comfort of your own home.

As for the good music, this month brings us plenty of new releases by queer artists, like Kim Petras' long-awaited debut, Feed The Beast , and the Aces’ I’ve Loved You For So Long . Black musicians have much on offer in June as well, including Janelle Monáe (who is also queer) The Age of Pleasure , house music DJ and producer Jayda G ’s Guy , and Ghana-born singer Amaarae’s Fountain Baby . Last but not least, June also marks the return of both Foo Fighters and Lucinda Williams after life-altering events, and the ultimate release of Bob Dylan ’s 2021 concert film soundtrack, Shadow Kingdom .

To inspire you further with their bold artistry and moving stories, GRAMMY.com compiled a guide to the 15 must-hear albums dropping June 2023.

Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

Release date: June 2

In dark times, humans often turn to art. Even if they have no answers for what the future holds, the transmuting power of expression reminds us that, sometimes, existing is enough. But Here We Are , Foo Fighters’ 11th studio album, does just that.

After "a year of staggering losses, personal introspection and bittersweet remembrances," as they state in their website — referring to the sudden loss of longtime drummer, Taylor Hawkins , and of frontman Dave Grohl ’s mother, Virginia — they find both grievance and strength in what has been called "the first chapter of the band’s new life."

In support of this change, Foo Fighters have announced over 25 performances across the U.S. and Europe in the upcoming months. But Here We Are drops on June 2, and features ten new tracks, including promotional singles "Rescued," "Under You," "Show Me How," and "The Teacher."

Juan Wauters - Wandering Rebel

For most of his life, the Uruguay-born, New York-raised singer Juan Wauters was a rover — never for too long in one place. But as he sings on the upcoming titular track of his new album, Wandering Rebel , "During COVID I discovered/ that I like stability."

In a statement, Wauters reflected about moving back to his home country because of the pandemic, and the personal changes that came with it: "New York was the place I always came back to, but I never really had a 'home.' My parents left Uruguay, their home, when I was young. Now, [in Montevideo], I have a place to come home to, and people that are waiting for me."

The 12 songs on Wandering Rebel are defined as "candid reflections on subjects like career, romantic commitment, mental health, and the personal toll of touring," some of which can be seen through singles "Milanesa al Pan (ft. Zoe Gotusso)" and "Modus Operandi (ft. Frankie Cosmos)." As to not lose sight of his itinerant roots, Wauters will embark on a lengthy U.S. tour starting this month.

Bob Dylan - Shadow Kingdom

When the COVID-19 pandemic stalled Bob Dylan’s illustrious Never Ending Tour, he decided to baffle the world with something entirely different.

First released in 2021 as a concert film directed by Alma Har'el, Shadow Kingdom sees Dylan perform 14 tracks from the first half of his career in an acoustic, intimate atmosphere. In the setlist, "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" from 1965’s Bringing It All Back Home marks the earliest composition to be featured, while "What Was It You Wanted" from 1989's Oh Mercy is the latest.

With little-to-no prior information, the film originally premiered on livestream platform Veeps, and swiftly disappeared 48 hours after. On June 2, an official soundtrack release will revive the experience for all those who missed it.

Rancid - Tomorrow Never Comes

Breaking a six-year absence of new music, California’s boisterous Rancid are back. Tomorrow Never Comes , the band’s tenth album, proves that the verve from one of punk rock’s biggest acts in the mid-1990s is still alive.

Produced by longtime collaborator and Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz, the record holds 15 tracks, but runs just short of 29 minutes — Rancid’s briefest album yet. But judging by singles "Tomorrow Never Comes," "Don't Make Me Do It," and "Devil in Disguise," quick-paced or not, the quality remains the same.

Right after the release, Rancid will kick off an European tour for the rest of the month, before hitting Canada and a few cities in the U.S. starting September.

The Aces - I’ve Loved You For So Long

Pride month celebrations have just gotten the perfect soundtrack: I’ve Loved You For So Long , the Aces’ third studio album, comes out on June 2.

Preceded by the title track and singles "Girls Make Me Wanna Die," "Always Get This Way," and "Solo," the album marks the Utah quartet’s first release since 2020’s LP Under My Influence . According to a press release, I’ve Loved You For So Long is "rife with songs that celebrate their queer identities, juxtaposed by tracks that reflect on their early relationships with Mormonism."

The 11-track collection is also described as "a nostalgic look back at the formative experiences that shaped who they are as a band today, like pages straight from their diaries that will leave their listeners feeling seen and critics wanting more."

Janelle Monáe - The Age of Pleasure

Release date: June 9

Marking her return to music five years after 2018’s Dirty Computer , the chameleonic singer and actor Janelle Monáe ushers in The Age of Pleasure . Her fourth studio album features 14 tracks, including collaborations from Grace Jones , Amaarae, Seun Kuti , and others.

During an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 , Monáe said all the songs "were written from such an honest space," with the goal of being "so specific to this Pan-African crowd who are my friends. I want it to be a love letter to the diaspora."

If its two delightful singles "Float" and "Lipstick Lover" are any indication, it looks like Monáe has nailed her target — while also providing us a much-needed new era for the summer.

Amaarae - Fountain Baby

"Coming back after so long, I had a lot of time to think and reflect on what I wanted my message to be. Last time it was about confidence, this time it’s about love and faith," said Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae in a statement about her single, "Reckless & Sweet."

The mystifying track gives a taste of her upcoming sophomore album, Fountain Baby , set to release on June 9. Following her acclaimed 2020 debut The Angel You Don’t Know , the album also features last month’s cheeky "Co-Star," and points to an expansion of the singer’s avant-garde Afro-pop sound, as well as a celebration of Black women all over the world.

Jayda G - Guy

Canadian producer and DJ Jayda G was only 10 years old when she lost her father, William Richard Guy. However, his memories shaped her life in significant ways, and now she is ready to share them with the world through her upcoming studio album, Guy .

Through a press release, Jayda said that she wanted the album to be "a blend of storytelling, about the African American experience, death, grief, and understanding." The singer also added that "it’s about my dad and his story, and naturally in part my story, too, but it’s also about so many people who wanted more for themselves and went on a search to find that. This album is just so much for people who have been oppressed and who have not had easy lives."

The first single of the project, "Circle Back Around," features archival footage of Jayda and her father — an endearing portrait that ultimately delivers an uplifting message. As she explains further in the press release: "I think it’s just a testament that it’s never too late to look at yourself and try to understand why you are the way you are, and strive to be better. Understanding the Black man’s experience, Black people’s experience in terms of America, and rising above what society tells you you’re supposed to be."

King Krule - Space Heavy

British singer King Krule was inspired by "the space between" his London and Liverpool commutes — both places he considers home — to craft Space Heavy , his fourth studio album.

Written throughout 2020 to 2022, the record was produced by Dilip Harris, and recorded alongside bandmates Ignacio Salvadores, George Bass, James Wilson, and Jack Towell. In April, the hazy "Seaforth" was released as the album’s first single.

King Krule, whose real name is Archy Marshall, will soon embark on a summer tour spanning North America, Europe, and the UK. The first stop is in Minneapolis on July 21.

Killer Mike - Michael

Release date: June 16

It’s been more than a decade since Killer Mike released a solo album (2012’s R.A.P. Music ), but June brings forward new, exciting material from the Atlanta rapper and member of Run the Jewels. Upcoming LP Michael is said to be his "most autobiographical" work so far, and features 14 tracks that depict "an origin story," according to a statement.

2022 singles "RUN" and "Talkin Dat S—!" are also included in the album, as well as this year’s "Don’t Let The Devil" and "Motherless" — whose two music videos form a short film paying homage to Mike’s late mother, Mama Niecy. The rapper is also set to perform a 19-stop tour in the U.S. this summer.

Home Is Where - the whaler

Florida emo band Home Is Where built a reputation for delivering catharsis through their gloomy lyrics and angry melodies. Their upcoming sophomore LP, the whaler , takes that up a notch: It was defined as a project about "getting used to things getting worse" in a press release.

Produced by Jack Shirley and containing 10 interconnected songs, the whaler "paints a bleak picture of a world in an endless state of collapse — of ruined utopias and desperate people faking normalcy — [but] there’s a humanity-affirming undercurrent throughout that screams to break free."

Ahead of the release, the band shared the lead single "yes! yes! a thousand times yes!," and is currently gearing up for a U.S. tour through the East Coast and Midwest in July and the West Coast in September.

Kim Petras - Feed the Beast

Release date: june 23.

The much-awaited debut LP of German singer Kim Petras, Feed the Beast , finally has a birth date: June 23. After struggling with the leaking and eventual scrapping of would-have-been album Problématique , Petras compiled 15 tracks for this new effort — including last year’s mega hit "Unholy" featuring Sam Smith , which earned them both a GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

In an interview with Vice , the singer said Feed the Beast marks "a transition from being an independent artist to being at a major label now. Spearheaded by singles "If Jesus Was a Rockstar," "Brrr," and lead single "Alone" featuring Nicki Minaj , Petras will celebrate the release with a performance at NBC’s TODAY Citi Concert Series, as well as live sets at Governor’s Ball in NYC and Life is Beautiful Festival in Las Vegas.

Lunice - OPEN

Described as a project that "focuses on the natural human ability and behavior of intuition, instinct, openness, flexibility, and adaptation," and also as "a bizarre ride through the Montreal underground," OPEN is the sophomore album by Canadian producer and TNGHT member, Lunice.

Following up his 2017 acclaimed solo debut, CCCLX , the new record aims to be even more dynamic, with every track conceived to be performed live. Featuring collaborations with Cali Cartier, Zach Zoya, Yuki Dreams Again, DAGR and GRAMMY-winning producer DRTWRK, OPEN drops on June 23.

"No Commas," the pulsating first single off the project, sets the mood to the upcoming folly. "This track is the result of multiple natural occurrences where the melody, drums, and vocal performance coincidentally fit with each other in the moment of creation without any prior motive behind it," Lunice said in a statement. "I find these instinctual moments of creativity beautiful and inspiring."

Maisie Peters - The Good Witch

British singer/songwriter Maisie Peters calls herself The Good Witch — the "keeper of the keys and the holder of the cards" to her own universe, soon on display through her upcoming second album.

Written last year while she was on tour, Peters explains that its 15 tracks represent a time when she was "searching for balance between career highs and personal lows," a quality that can be seen through "Body Better," the album’s acutely honest lead single.

"This is my heart and soul, my blood on the page, the collection of stories that I’ve managed to capture in the past year," said Peters. "A true chronicle of my life in recent history, it is my own twisted version of a breakup album and it all draws upon the same couple of months’ worth of experiences and inspirations."

The singer is also set to tour 27 cities in the U.S. and Canada from August to October.

Lucinda Williams - Stories From a Rock n Roll Heart

Release date: June 30

Lucinda Williams is living proof that getting older doesn’t mean getting duller. The Americana legend just celebrated her 70th birthday in January — and the last three years of her life have been some of the most tumultuous yet.

In 2020, her Nashville home was damaged by a tornado. Then, came the COVID-19 pandemic. And lastly, a stroke that affected her ability to play the guitar, therefore changing the way she writes songs. But Williams didn’t let any of that stop her — Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart , her 15th studio album, comes out on June 30, and shows that she’s only getting better.

The project already has three singles out: "New York Comeback," "Stolen Moments," and "Where the Song Will Find Me," and counts on backing vocals from artists like Bruce Springsteen , Patti Scialfa , and Angel Olsen.

Listen To GRAMMY.com's LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 2023 Playlist Featuring Demi Lovato, Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Frank Ocean, Omar Apollo & More

1 Lucinda Williams & Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Announce 2021 Tour Dates
2 GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016
3 'Decoration Day' At 20: How Drive-By Truckers Dialed Back The Satire And Opened Their Hearts
4 On 'Weathervanes,' Jason Isbell Accepts His Internal Pressures And Fears
5 15 Must-Hear New Albums Out This Month: Janelle Monáe, King Krule, Killer Mike & More

Showtime Redefined

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit w/ Kathleen Edwards

Please note this show is requiring all fans to provide PRINTED proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the event OR full vaccination for entry.

All fans must have received a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test within 48-hours before entry to the facility and provide printed proof of a negative result prior to entering the venue. Or, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (at least two weeks after final dose) and provide proof of vaccination – either the original vaccination card or a printed copy of the vaccination card.

Unvaccinated fans under 12 years of age will be required to take a COVID-19 diagnostic test within 48-hours before entry to the facility and will provide printed proof of negative result prior to entering the venue.

Door Time: 6:30 pm

Event time: 8:00 pm.

Everything You Need to Know

Premium Experiences

Learn more about our premium experiences.

Parking & Travel

Plan your evening on n. broad st.

Book The Venue For Your Private Event

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit Announce 2021 Tour Dates w/ Lucinda Williams

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit just released a new LP called Reunions and have announced a set of shows next year with Lucinda Williams opening.

Scroll down to see the tour dates and head here for tickets .

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit 2021 Tour Dates

7/19 — Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre 7/20 — Seattle @ Paramount Theatre 7/23 — San Francisco @ The Warfield 7/24 — San Francisco @ The Warfield 7/25 — Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl 7/27 — Los Angeles @ The Greek Theatre 7/28 — San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay 7/29 — Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Theatre 7/31 — Salt Lake City @ Eccles Theater 8/1 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre 8/3 — Bonner Springs, KS @ Providence Medical Center Amphitheater 8/4 — Little Rock, AR @ First Security Amphitheater 8/6 — Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory 8/7 — Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater 8/8 — Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Watch Jason Isbell Chat with Trevor Noah & Perform With Amanda Shires on The Daily Show

Boston Calling 2020 Lineup: Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers & More

Dead & Company Announce ‘Dead Forever’ Residency at The Sphere

Phish kicks off annual new year’s eve run at madison square garden [setlist/videos], phish announces nye 2023 webcasts via livephish, talking heads announce deluxe ‘stop making sense’ soundtrack, popular posts.

WATCH: What Phish Sounds Like to People That Don’t Like Phish

Coachella 2012 lineup announced, coachella 2006 lineup announced, the national – “this is the last time” on conan, sign up for email updates.

Email address:

Welcome Back!

Remember Me

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Add New Playlist

- Select Visibility - Public Private

listening party
existing artist
See all results

No matching results

Try a different filter or a new search keyword.

Search all Bandcamp artists, tracks, and albums

artists PRO view site
edit profile
subscription subscription
view collection
showLinkedBands(!showLinkedBands())" data-test="linked-accounts-header">

Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8/1/2021

By jason isbell and the 400 unit.

Digital Album Streaming + Download

Buy digital album $10 usd or more, send as gift , share / embed.

Jason Isbell Alabama

Nov 25 Eventim Apollo London, UK

discography

contact / help

Contact Jason Isbell

Streaming and Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8/1/2021, you may also like:

Heathens Homecoming 2020 by Drive-By Truckers

supported by 96 fans who also own “Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8/1/2021”

Great sounding recording. HCC was so much fun this year. prs627

Perfectly Imperfect At The Ryman by Margo Price

supported by 86 fans who also own “Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8/1/2021”

"Worthless Gold" is a fucking great song. gstacks

The Georgia E.P. by Death Cab for Cutie

supported by 82 fans who also own “Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8/1/2021”

great assortment of covers. well worth listening to. Wanderlust2021

Storm's Coming by timing

A concept album where meteorology is a metaphor for anxiety, the new one from timing is artful indie at its finest. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 13, 2023

Strays by Margo Price

Margo Price's latest album tackles loss, failure, and freedom over lush pop, psychedelic country, and rock arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 13, 2023

Room 41 by Paul Cauthen

Cauthen's mix of classic country and old-school soul come together on this album about coming back from the brink. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 2, 2019

Live @ Plan 9 by Drive-By Truckers

supported by 80 fans who also own “Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8/1/2021”

Good live album. I love the fans that every time DBT releases anything they compare the old version of the band with the new one. They say the old is better the new is too political….blah blah blah. For me the new version from English Oceans to now is my favorite and their “political stuff” is their best songwriting no question. Ive been a fan since SRO. This band has always been very liberal and political. It’s time fans really research the bands they follow beforehand lmao. Yimmy Kil

Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp

A Guide to Jason Isbell’s Insurgent Country Discography

The Best Country Music on Bandcamp: June 2023

A John Prine Listening Primer

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

terms of use
switch to mobile view

Latest News

Songwriting Legend Linda Perry On Working With Ringo Starr

The godfathers of british blues: cyril davies and alexis korner, the great american songbook: jazz covers, ‘the night’: the four seasons’ magnificent motown surprise, ‘the wildest’: why louis prima was the pre-rock’n’roll crazy man, best jazz songs: an introduction to jazz’s finest moments, the best terri clark songs: powerful, witty country essentials, elton john celebrates 50 years of ‘caribou’ with vinyl reissue, new live video, pearl jam share new album ‘dark matter’, benny the butcher announces ‘everybody can’t go’ tour, ringo starr and his all starr band announce fall tour dates, taylor swift shares new double album ‘the tortured poets department: the anthology’, frank zappa & the mothers of invention to release ‘whisky a go go, 1968’ live album, queen rock montreal heading to disney+ with imax enhanced sound, lucinda williams and jason isbell announce summer 2021 tour.

The 15-date West Coast run kicks off 19 July in Vancouver, BC.

Published on

Lucinda Williams will join Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit on a North American tour next summer. The West Coast dates begin 19 July at Vancouver, BC’s Orpheum Theatre, and conclude in Austin, TX, with a two-night run at the Moody Theater on 7 and 8 August.

Who’s ready? 2021 dates at https://t.co/RcMvlmuTWr pic.twitter.com/ou0APOfFaH — Lucinda Williams (@HappyWoman9) June 8, 2020 The Best Terri Clark Songs: Powerful, Witty Country Essentials Best Loretta Lynn Songs: 20 Essential Country Tunes Best Vince Gill Songs: 20 Country Essentials

Both artists will be supporting new albums. Williams’ Good Souls Better Angels was released on 24 April to rave reviews. American Songwriter praised that her 15th studio album is “Arguably her most intense…This is a devastatingly in your face, take no prisoners presentation from Williams and her band that will leave most serious listeners shattered and perhaps shaking. Few albums connect with this much pure emotional fury, let alone those from artists well into their 60s.” Isbell, meanwhile, released his seventh studio LP, Reunions , in May.

Throughout the past months, Williams has been an active participant in a variety of live-streamed events and benefits, including Willie Nelson’s “‘Til Further Notice” in March (the virtual edition of this year’s Luck Reunion festival), and MusiCares’ “Sessions” series in May, which benefitted COVID-19 relief. Isbell has also been actively connecting with his fans throughout quarantine. Fans can catch him tomorrow night during an all-star live-stream tribute to the late singer-songwriter, John Prine.

Scroll down to view tour dates. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit Lucinda Williams’ official website .

Lucinda Williams’ 2021 dates with Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit are as follow:

19 July – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre 20 July – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre 23 July – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield Theatre 24 July – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield Theatre 25 July – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl 27 July – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre 28 July – San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay 29 July – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort Theatre 31 July, Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater 1 August – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre 3 August – Bonner Springs, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater 4 August – Little Rock, AR – First Security Amphitheater 6 August – Dallas, TX – The Bomb Factory 7 August – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater 8 August – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Moscow concerts Moscow concerts Moscow concerts See all Moscow concerts ( Change location ) Today · Next 7 days · Next 30 days
Most popular artists worldwide
Trending artists worldwide

Tourbox for artists

Search for events or artists

Get the app
Moscow concerts
Change location
Popular Artists
Live streams
Deutsch Português
Popular artists

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

On tour: yes
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is not playing near you. View all concerts
Moscow, Russian Federation Change location

161,263 fans get concert alerts for this artist.

Join Songkick to track Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and get concert alerts when they play near you.

Nearest concert to you

Touring outside your city

Be the first to know when they tour near Moscow, Russian Federation

Join 161,263 fans getting concert alerts for this artist

Upcoming concerts (74) See all

The Sound Amphitheater

Raising Cane's River Center Arena

Mission Ballroom

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Cain's Ballroom

Liberty Hall

Shrine Mosque

Fresh Grass

View all upcoming concerts 74

Similar artists with upcoming concerts

Tours most with.

Former member of Drive-By-Truckers, singer-songwriter Jason Isbell (born February 1st, 1979) went solo in 2007, forging a sound that is instilled with a rootsy, southern swagger, whilst also offering country ballads full of melancholy and themes of redemption.

Growing up in rural Alabama, US, Isbell was surrounded by music from a young age as his large extended family were often playing instruments and making music together, honing his talents at high school and university through playing in various country cover bands. He joined Drive-By-Truckers at the age of 21, remaining with the band for six years, helping to write a number of their songs that went on to critical and commercial success.

By 2007, Isbell had left the group in order to forge a solo career, releasing his debut album, “Sirens of the Ditch,” a bluesy, punk tinged record that was very much rooted in the sound of the South. He then formed his backing band, the 400 Unit and began touring extensively, before returning to the studio in 2008. In the following year, his sophomore effort, “Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit” was released, which took another musical direction, favouring tender country ballads in the same vein as Muscle Schoals.

Isabel toured relentlessly for two years, playing an average of 200 shows annually. In 2010, he took a break from being on the road, returning home to Alabama, an area that had been hit hard by the economic recession. Whilst here, he began to write a new collection of songs that focused on the character so of the area, with simple honest songs that reflected the rural country and lifestyle. “Here We Rest” came out in 2011, an album that was warmly received by critics. A year later, Isbell followed “Here We Rest” with a live album, “Live From Alabama, which was recorded at the Workday Theater in Birmingham, US and at the Crossroads venue in Huntsville, Alabama, US. Isabel then returned to the studio for 2013’s “Southeastern,” an album that held a theme of redemption and sombre atonement, reflective of Isbell’s newfound sobriety. The album received massive critical acclaim, with Isbell sweeping up several awards at the 2014 Americana Music Awards, for ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Artist of the Year’ and ’Song of the Year.’

Live reviews

Friday 22nd January. The Forum. John Moreland/Jason Isbell. It’s fair to say I have been looking forward to this gig for months. As soon as I heard John Moreland was supporting I knew we would be in for a treat. With one of the best albums of last year Moreland has not been across the pond before and Isbell, whose last album I didn’t think as strong as Southeastern, is always a superb live artist.

It’s a big turnout tonight with a nine strong gig going group. All have seen Isbell before and I manage to persuade some to join me for Moreland. The first surprise was the amount of people who were in for a support act. The venue is 80% full which is a testament to his talent. He ambles on stage and rattles though forty minutes of the finest Americana you will ever hear. He is warmly received and the disappointment is that it’s only nine songs, only three from High on Tulsa Heat and you are very much left wanting more. Here’s hoping it’s not too long before he’s back headlining and we can all give him a high as suggested by Isbell later on.

Expectations are always high when we see Isbell. We have seen a couple of times as a fresh faced young ‘un in Drive by Truckers sharing the Jack on stage as they do to five times as a solo artist. He has never disappointed whether it’s solo acoustic with his wife supporting on fiddle to full on rock with the 400 Unit.

It’s the usual mix of old and new solo work with a trip back to a few DBT classics. Standout songs from the new album fair well especially Speed Trap Town, 24 Frames and Ryan Adamseque ‘The Life you Chose’. The ‘Southeastern’ songs just ooze quality although I wasn’t convinced with the arrangement for Travelling Alone.

Highlights for me were the best version of ‘Decoration Day’ I have heard, absolutely stunning as was ‘Never gonna change’ and the guitar interplay between Isbell and Sadler Vaden, late of Drivin n Cryin and a fine solo artist, was superb. The latter song could have come straight from a Neil Young and Crazy Horse album and there is no higher praise.

What struck me this time was the development of Isbell’s voice. From the shy side man in Drive by Truckers he has matured into not only a great singer, songwriter and guitarist but the depth and strength of his voice has gone to another level.

Another top class show from Isbell who is a must see anytime he is over. Keep on rockin y’all.

Report as inappropriate

Monday 30th October. Jason Isbell and the 400 unit. The Roundhouse, London. So it’s I think the seventh time I have seen Isbell since he left the Drive by Truckers in a variety of combinations, solo acoustic, with the 400 unit and without, with Amanda and without but one thing for sure he is a consistent performer who has developed into one of the finest singer writers. His shows are always good and often great.

Support tonight is from the excellent Tift Merritt who I have not seen live for too long. Despite breaking a string on one of her three guitars she delivers a lesson in female country song writing. For those who don’t know her check out ‘Bramble Rose’ a classic and the new album ‘Stitch of the World’ is really good too.

Next up Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, his long standing backing band. They are one of the best bands around and complement Isbell perfectly. Special mention to Sadler Vaden on guitar and backing vocals. He has an understated style but his slide guitar is amazing. He has also produced a couple of great solo records himself. (Hey Jason why not give him the support slot on the next tour).

Over here touring the new excellent album ‘The Nashville Sound’ which is a return to form over in my opinion the patchy ‘Something more than free’. We are treated to most of the album which has some of his best work to date including ‘White man’s world’ and ‘If we were Vampires’ which is not only one of the best songs he has ever written but certainly my favourite song of the year by any artist. I defy anyone who is in a relationship to listen to this without a tear in your eye. Truly moving stuff.

He hop skips and jumps through his song writing back catalogue which only highlights his maturity as a songwriter not afraid to take on contemporary issues. Sound wise I am never truly convinced with the Roundhouse as venue and have yet to find the sweet spot to watch and listen in this iconic venue. But this did not detract from the performance.

Highlights for me included the hard rockin ‘Never gonna change’ and the mellow groove of ‘Travelling Alone’ to the final encore of Tom Petty’s ‘American Girl’

Till the next time, keep on rockin y’all

We were halfway through the first Jason Isbell performance of the weekend when his latest single found its way into the setlist. The song (which uses frames per second as a metaphor for how fast life can change) is much different than what came before, but that’s because Jason Isbell is a much different man than he was before. That line about making friends and then forgetting their names has always reminded me of a photo I took of him not long after he parted ways with Drive-By Truckers. The picture was taken at Larimer Lounge sometime in 2009. The Isbell portrayed in that image would be unrecognizable to those who discovered him post-Southeastern. He is six years younger, but he looks ten years older and at least thirty pounds heavier. He wore a smile on his face as he shared a shot and a beer with us, but there was a blankness in his bloodshot eyes as they threatened to be swallowed by the pillow-sized bags that hung below them. He wore a large hoop in one ear and his curly hair stuck to his sweaty forehead long after he left the stage. He looked like shit. Part of me wants to delete the photo, because I know I wouldn’t want it out there if it were me, but I keep it as a reminder that things really can change in 24 frames. And sometimes those changes are for the better. Isbell forgot our names before we even walked away that night, and he still had a few more destructive years in front of him, but then he made some decisions that put him on a different path…one that led him to perform “24 Frames” from the famous stage at the Ryman Auditorium on the first of a four-night run of extremely sold-out hometown shows. - See more at: http://ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com/2015/11/01/jason-isbell-ryman-residency-2015/#sthash.Lp4nrylb.dpuf

Adding a dark side to country music, Jason Isbell has found a fanbase prepared to turn up in force to his show in order to hear his dose of melancholic country. Although he has been working the live circuit since the early 2000s, his debut solo album came in 2007 and since then each release has seen his cult appeal and reputation grow dramatically.

Through his time with the Drive by Truckers and his solo promotion, Chris has had a lot of experience on the stage so has a truly natural demeanour when it comes to chatting with his audience. They respond well and the cheers seem to grow in volume every time Isbell acknowledges or jokes with them. There is a lot of balladic material so it is not the natural stomping, upbeat country show however this variation goes down really well and it is clear the fanbase are dedicated as they attempt to sing back the choruses to nearly every track aired this evening.

I love Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. I have been a long time Drive by Truckers fan too and first saw Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco in 2011. This show that day was fantastic. I was floored that Jason was the "undercard" to the Hard Working Americans but great, we got to hear him that much sooner. He played a great mix of songs from his Southeastern album and blended in Goddamned Lonely Love and Decoration Day. All very good. My one complaint was the way the sound was mixed. It was way too loud and we were in the balcony and his vocals were so loud that they were distorting. I know his songs very well but can't imagine how a new listener could have understood his fantastic lyrics. His stories are too good to be obscured by lousy mixing. Sorry. Jason is back in Colorado on September 20th at Beaver Creek. I'll be there am truly hoping this gets fixed.

This is a must see concert for fans of rock or country music. Jason Isbell delighted fans by performing his new album "Something More Than Free" in its entirety, alongside his lovely and talented wife Amanda Shires, and his band the 400 Unit. He followed this up with many hits from his earlier solo albums and a couple of songs from his time with Drive By Truckers. In particular, "Cover Me Up", "Children of Children", "Danko/Manuel" and "Codeine" brought the crowd to their feet.

This was my first time at the Ryman Auditorium, and I was very impressed. It is a very intimate and historic venue, one which complemented Isbell's repertoire and between-song chats perfectly.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit started the show with the song Anxiety. Not my favorite song so I was glad he got it over with early. It just got better from there. This was my fourth time seeing him and it doesn’t get old. He did New arrangements of some songs and a song I had never heard. In all he did 6 songs I had never seen live before. He was funny and truly seemed happy to be on that stage.

I will go out on a limb saying the 400 Unit is the best touring band there is right now. Sadler is amazing and the duels him an Jason have on stage are incredible. I could go on and on but I will end saying I smiled from ear to ear when he said next year might be two nights!

Great show. Fabulous set list. Love the new record. I would have liked to hear Amanda's violin and vocals a little louder. What I don't get is when artists turn the bright lights on the audience. Is that to see us better? Stop it. It's too bright, or give us sunglasses. Sub-woofers were a little loud for The Beacon, especially for The Mountain Goats. I was with a bass player so I think I apeak with some authority. Just sayin. Sounds like a lot of complaints but we really loved the show. 'Tied to the Whipping Post' was flawless! Fabulous ending to a very engaging show. How often does everyone stand for an entire concert anymore? Wish I was going back again tonight!

Incredible singer, musician, and song writer! Great show and lovely venue. I do have to say however, it's the first concert I have ever been to where we were told we couldn't stand up??? We had end seats on the sixth row from the stage. No one even directly behind us and we were standing up to the music. Security guard came over and told us we had to sit down or move over to the side because we may be blocking someone's view. Most ridiculous thing I've ever heard at a music concert. But Jason was amazing, everything I had been told about him was completely accurate! He's a legend in the making.

I bought my tickets 4 months ago and after seeing him at the electric ballroom in Camden Town last year i couldnt wait.This man is so talented, he writes great songs and his band the 400 unit are so tight.

switching from electric to acoustic and back again jason shows how good a guitarist he is,

everything about this band is melodic a big removal from his Drive By Truckers days although to keep us all happy he played a couple from his song writing days with them as well. This man is not to be missed and i cant wait for his next tour here

Photos (18)

Posters (59)

Past concerts

View all past concerts

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit tour dates and tickets 2024-2025 near you

Want to see Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit in concert? Find information on all of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2024-2025.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 74 concerts across 9 countries in 2024-2025. View all concerts.

Next 3 concerts:

Gautier, MS, US
Baton Rouge, LA, US
La Vista, NE, US

Next concert:

Popularity ranking:

The Waterboys (2545)
Jason Isbell and... (2546)
Ravyn Lenae (2547)

Concerts played in 2024:

Touring history

Most played:

Nashville (85)
Atlanta (48)
New York (NYC) (46)
Austin (30)
Knoxville (28)

Appears most with:

Amanda Shires (65)
Justin Townes Earle (36)
Shovels & Rope (28)
Josh Ritter (26)
Holly Williams (26)

Distance travelled:

Similar artists

Most popular charts
API information
Brand guidelines
Community guidelines
Terms of use
Privacy policy
Cookies settings
Cookies policy

Get your tour dates seen everywhere.

But we really hope you love us.

Skip to content
Accessibility
Buy Tickets

Date Aug 1 , 2021
Event Starts 7:00 PM
Venue Red Rocks Amphitheatre
On Sale On Sale Now

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

With lucinda williams, event details.

AEG Presents is thrilled to announce JASON ISBELL and the 400 UNIT live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sunday, August 1st, 2021.

Download the Red Rocks app before your visit. From digital ticketing with touchless entry, mobile ordering with express beverage pickup, park and venue maps, visitor tips, original Red Rocks content and more, the official Red Rocks app has everything you need for an unforgettable concert experience.

JASON ISBELL and the 400 UNIT at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 2, 2020 has been rescheduled to August 1, 2021. There is nothing you need to do as your tickets will be valid for the new date.

Find anything you save across the site in your account

Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell Announce 2021 Tour

By Evan Minsker

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have announced a 2021 summer tour with Lucinda Williams . The dates will take them across the West Coast and Southwest next summer.

Find the dates below and grab tickets here . (Pitchfork may earn a commission from purchases made through affiliate links on our site.)

This year, Isbell and the 400 Unit released their new album Reunions , while Williams released her new album Good Souls Better Angels . Read Pitchfork’s “5-10-15-20” interview, “ Lucinda Williams on the Music That Made Her .”

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Pitchfork. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

A Power Ranking of Everyone in the Drake–Kendrick Lamar–Every Rapper Ever Battle Royale

By Alphonse Pierre

Coachella 2024 Weekend 2 Lineup & Schedule: All the Set Times You Need to Know

By Madison Bloom

Charli XCX and Troye Sivan Announce North American Arena Tour

By Matthew Strauss

Fontaines D.C. Announce New Album Romance, Share Video for New Song “Starburster”

By Jazz Monroe

By Paul A. Thompson

The Babies to Reunite for First Concerts in a Decade

Jason Isbell Criticized by Justin Townes Earle’s Widow for Song

Trigger News Amanda Shires , Jason Isbell , Jenn Marie Earle , Justin Townes Earle , Steve Earle --> 271 Comments

Ever since the release of Jason Isbell’s Grammy award-winning 2023 album Weathervanes , there have been concerns swirling around the song “When We Were Close” that was written as a de facto “tribute” to fellow songwriter Justin Townes Earle. The son of Steve Earle and a critically-acclaimed songwriter himself, Justin Townes Earle died on August 23rd by what the family first revealed as a drug overdose in 2020. The rumors about the song seemed mostly concerned with how the family of Earle was blindsided by the supposed tribute, how they were given no warning that it would be released, and that the details in the song are so raw (and in parts, wrong), that it created a painful reminder of Justin’s family, especially Earle’s widow Jenn Marie Earle, and for Earle’s daughter, 6-year-old Etta. Though Jason Isbell and Justin Townes Earle were friends earlier in their careers—including Earle inviting Isbell to play guitar for him during his debut on The Late Show with David Letterman —the two had a falling out. Before Isbell’s career started to take off, it was Justin Townes Earle who was considered at the forefront a new generation of Americana musicians. Though the rumors about the concerns for “When We Were Close” were hard to verify—and the Earle family, nor Justin’s widow Jenn Marie seemed willing to speak about it publicly—it was clear there was a concern. And despite this concern being communicated to Jason Isbell himself, Isbell continued to not just perform the song, but push it forward as a primary single from Weathervanes , including promoting it to Americana radio, leading concerts off with it, and performing it on Jimmy Kimmel Live in October of 2023. Jason Isbell addressed the song in a recent interview , and this upset Jenn Marie Earle to the point where she decided to finally speak out about it publicly. She first posted a screenshot about it to the story feed of Justin Townes Earle’s Instagram account saying, “When you make my daughter cry, and you’re heartless and this is your response … I have so much more to say.” Then in a detailed note posted on social media, Jenn Marie Earle formally addressed her issues with Jason Isbell’s “When We Were Close.” As to not inadvertently mischaracterize or inappropriately summarize her words, the full text can be found below.

Thoughts on a “tribute song” and suggestions as to what should be considered. We understand that Jason Isbell’s song “When We Were Close” may have not been intended to be a tribute song, per se, but I (Jenn Marie Earle, Justin’s widow) want to offer my thoughts on what I feel, personally – since both myself, and mine and Justin’s daughter, Etta, were both mentioned/referenced in the song – it is our right to share our insight and feelings about it. I also feel that, as the keeper and protector of Justin’s legacy, that it is my responsibility. During an interview this week, Jason shared why he wrote the song (this is, to our knowledge the first time he has addressed it publicly). Here is what he said: “When We Were Close, that song was one of those where I had to say, how many victims [will there be] if I tell the truth, how many victims if I don’t. And then you make that choice. You know, because the song has to exist, you know I don’t know why but I decided on that a long time ago because that’s what I do, that’s who I am. So you know, usually if you tell the truth, you make less victims than if you don’t.” Being the said “victims” he is speaking of, I felt that in response, it is time to share my feelings on this song, the impact it has had on us, and why we had such a strong, visceral, and extremely painful reaction to it that has continued now, almost a year later since it’s release last June. If you are not familiar, here are the specific lyrics to the song that were the most painful (for obvious reasons): “I saw a picture of you laughing with your child, and I hope she will remember how you smiled. But she probably wasn’t old enough, the night somebody sold you stuff that left you on the bathroom tiles. Got a picture of you dying in my mind with some ghosts you couldn’t bear to leave behind…It’s not up to me to forgive you for the nights that your love had to live through, now you’ll never need to look me in the eye.” It is important to me for everyone to understand, that Justin and Jason were estranged (after a difficult falling out) for years before he died. Jason stating that the song “had to exist” seems very inappropriate and hard to comprehend from my viewpoint when you take that into account. Especially mentioning our daughter (a complete gut punch, something Justin would have no doubt been extremely upset about)…and then immediately following Etta’s mention with grotesque graphic details of his death that 1. were absolutely unnecessary 2. were not released to the public (and the details were incorrect) 3. that it is not “his truth” to share, being completely removed from the situation for years up to Justin’s death. It was really no one’s right except for mine, which I did share immediately following the dreadful news, at a time when I could barely think, much less handle the public, but I knew it had to be done. For his fans, and as a warning to others so that he did not pass in vain. I did not receive a compassionate warning ahead of the song’s release (we found out about the song, when this page was tagged in posts about it the day it came out). While it’s not mandatory that he give me a heads up, considering it’s about my husband and mentions myself, and especially my daughter, it would have been a respectful thing to do, so that we weren’t completely blown apart when we heard it as it was celebrated as a new release. Soon after, he was made aware that the song was extremely painful (an absolute trauma trigger) and we hoped the message was taken to heart (although he did not acknowledge it) and we hoped to move on and try to forget about it. However, we learned (due to being tagged in posts, etc) that he was opening most shows with it, and then to our complete shock he chose it as the song to play on Jimmy Kimmel on the first show back after the writer’s strike, undoubtedly to a massive audience – putting the song front and center. ‹That was one of the most painful moments following, because it was clear then that he did not care that this song was traumatizing to Justin’s loved ones and was actually pushing the song above all of the others on the album. He could have chosen any other song. Also, on top of this, he is profiting off of it which I don’t think I need to go into why I have such strong negative feelings about that. Since that time, I, as well as others have reached out to him personally, in an emotional plea to try to make him understand the trauma it has forced on our daughter (she has asked to hear it and it has lead to moments that I can’t bear to share), something she will deal with for the rest of her life. He has not responded, and then made the aforementioned statement, making it clear that he understands there are living, breathing victims. One of which is our innocent daughter. Also, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people all around the world that have shared their tribute songs to Justin with us. There have been such beautiful, heart-felt songs created in his honor, so we know the difference between what Jason wrote and what a real tribute looks like, because none of the others have kept us up at night or sent our daughter into tears. He did not have to write this song, it did not have to exist, but if he really felt that it was necessary, a heads up beforehand would have been greatly appreciated. Also, even though he has finally acknowledged that there are “victims,” he has still not so much as texted me an apology and I just can’t wrap my head around why someone wouldn’t extend that simple and small act of kindness. We deserve that at the very least. We’ve been through the unimaginable and certainly didn’t need this on top of it, but an apology would have been some sort of consolation at least. – Jenn Marie Earle

As a follow up, Jenn Marie Earle also posted a video on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Justin Townes Earle (@justintownesearle)

As Jenn Marie Earle underscores, the issue isn’t just about the way Jason Isbell wrote “When We Were Close.” It’s about how Isbell seemingly refuses to address the issue with the Earle family, while also pushing the song to the forefront of his catalog despite the controversy, or perhaps, because of it. Meanwhile, Isbell continues to benefit from fawning, sometimes outright obsequious press coverage that never mentions his broken friendships with people like Justin Townes Earle, the failure of his first marriage to former Drive-By Truckers bass player Shonna Tucker and the behaviors that led to it, or the severely judgemental and decidedly illiberal presence Jason Isbell takes on social media. Instead, Isbell is canonized in puff pieces, including the one composed by Marissa R. Moss and published to coincide with Grammy voting last October titled “ The Radical Empathy of Jason Isbell ,” which stand in stark contrast with personal accounts of Isbell’s behavior from Jenn Marie Earle, Shonna Tucker, and others. Isbell is currently going through a divorce with fellow performer and songwriter Amanda Shires. What most everyone agrees on, including Jenn Marie Earle, is that Jason Isbell is a brilliant songwriter. Another track from the Weathervanes album called “King of Oklahoma” was Saving Country Music’s 2023 Song of the Year . The song was also nominated for Best American Roots Performance for the 2024 Grammy Awards. Isbell ended up winning the Best American Roots Song Grammy for “Cast Iron Skillet,” and Weathervanes won for Best Americana Album in 2024. The brilliance of Jason Isbell the songwriter is hard to deny. But while the media regularly praises Isbell for his positive attributes, they regularly sweep issues like the concerns with “When We Were Close” under the rug, as Isbell remains lauded, and any criticism of him is commonly considered verboten. This story has been updated.

Amanda Shires , Jason Isbell , Jenn Marie Earle , Justin Townes Earle , Steve Earle

271 Comments

This is called artistic license. Jason can write whatever he wants to. His lyrics can be based on life — or be complete fiction — or be a mixture of the two.

Addiction sucks and causes pain all around. There’s no getting away from that.

I’m sorry JTE’s widow is still feeling the pain but she should look at it head on and move forward, IMO.

As Jenn Marie Earle said in her video, she understands that Jason has a right to say what she wants, and he also should have an opportunity to process his feelings about the death of Justin how he feels fit. This issue that she takes with it is that neither herself nor the rest of the Earle family were notified about it. According to her, the details of Earle’s death in the song went overboard, and are also factually incorrect, and that as she and other have reached out about these issues, Isbell hasn’t engaged with them, but continues to center the song as part of the “Weathervanes” releases, almost in spite of the backlash.

For the record, I heard from numerous sources the week of the release of “Weathervanes” that both Jenn Marie Earle and other members of the Earle family were upset by the song. I chose to not report on it at that time, even though I had some quotes and other information that had been shared, but had been removed from public viewing, or that had been shared privately. I reached out to numerous people in the Earle camp for comment, and they never responded.

I do think that Jenn Marie Earle and the Earle family have made their best efforts to not make this into a big public issue. But with Isbell’s lack of communication, and his most recent comments, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back so to speak, and Jenn Marie felt like she had no other recourse than to address it publicly.

“but she should look at it head on and move forward, IMO.”

I think that’s exactly what she is trying to do by making these statements.

Freedom of Speech never really mentions anything about taste right? 🤷🏼‍♂️

BUT… Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences…

I appreciate your thoughtful reply Trigger.

Still, I don’t think Jason needed to inform Jenn Marie and any other Earle family members about releasing a song. Sure, it’d be a nice courtesy, but I doubt it would have softened the blow anyhow.

The first time I saw Jason Isbell was with the Truckers at a club in NC that was progressive enough to not allow smoking in the club. He said to the crowd “I can’t believe I’m in North Carolina and you can’t smoke in a bar!” Of course he was puffing on a cigarette when he said it. The first time I saw him with his solo show was in a small club in Raleigh that was a barbecue restaurant during the day. Townes Earle opened for him. In my humble opinion he was a much better performer in those days with the 400 Unit and the great Browan Lollar on the second guitar. We saw him many times in those days and the band always passed a bottle of whiskey among each other during the show and Jason puffed relentlessly on cigarettes. I remember thinking we better enjoy this guy now because he’s not going to live long like this. They played inspired shows and put out fabulous records that were moving and that rocked. Then he met Ms Shires and sobered up. Then Southeastern came out and he became famous and suddenly everyone felt like he had something special to say. I’ve seen him twice since then and I thought “I’m glad he’s taking care of himself but the music isn’t as good.” Now it sounds to me like every song is supposed to be a profound statement of importance with a million lyrics crammed in there. Give me “Go It Alone,” “Dress Blues,” or “Tour of Duty “ any day. I’m glad he’s healthier and making lots of money but it sounds forced and full of self importance to me.

He didn’t need to announce it to them. But once he was aware that she was upset about it….he could have manned up and at least reached out. My opinion of him has dimmed. I’m quite sure neither him or anyone else gives a hoot about that though! 🙂

Classy move on your part Trigger to not publish the story when you first got wind of the bad feelings.

The criticisms here seem wholly without merit. Songs aren’t news articles that need to be fact checked. No names were mentioned. Writers draw from their lives. And there’s a lot of truth in that song for anyone who has had a friend die young doing the same shit you do. No author should be forced to reach out to everyone who has ever inspired a song to check if their feelings are going to get hurt. Nothing could ever be written, ever again, if that were the case. Ask everyone who is a friend of a novelist or, I don’t know, dated Taylor Swift, how annoying it can be to see yourself or your friends or parts of you in the story. But good lord, Lorries, you or someone you know may have been the inspiration, but there aren’t royalties to be paid for it, it’s not illegal, and it’s not even unethical. It’s simply creative writing.

Totally agree that artists should have the artistic license to follow their muse. “When We Were Close” doesn’t feel like an offensive song, but a song Isbell composed as a way to process through the passing of Justin Townes Earle. I also agree that Isbell has no obligation to reach out to anyone he writes a song about for approval or even just to notify them.

However in this case, I wouldn’t have hurt for Isbell to reach out. When there was clearly a concern for the song, Isbell could have also been more pragmatic and tried to clear the air. The issues that Jenn Marie Eearle raises are just as much about Isbell’s alleged callous behavior after the song was released as it is with the song itself. The recent interview Isbell gave where he mentioned the song and seemed to couch Justin’s widow and his daughter as sort of collateral damage to a song that will save others was like the straw the broke the camel’s back.

This really does feel like an issue that could have been solved with a quick phone call or email, either before or after the songs release. But according the Jenn Marie, that never happened. Instead, she’s received silence.

I agree with you! Another thought…pretty positive Justin’s Dad is more than capable of writing a rebuttal song that would put Jason in his place.

“Songs aren’t news articles that need to be fact checked. No names were mentioned.”

Not trying to be combative, but I couldn’t disagree more strongly.

When you’re so clearly talking about a well known, specific person, or persons (especially a child), and you’re going to make unchecked claims about something as serious as to how they passed away – I would hope any person with common decency, and especially a father, would be above not just releasing the song without warning, but pushing it the way Isbell has done.

Trigger, it doesn’t matter if they’re factually incorrect. It’s a song. These are lyrics. Isbell isn’t writing a biography. He doesn’t owe them anything. The song doesn’t ever expressly say his name or anything. The family doesn’t have ownership over the idea of someone writing a song about a dead junkie. You’re literally implying that nobody can write a sing about someone they knew unless they go and ask that person’s family member for permission. You sound delusional.

Agree with everything you said here, and have underscored this in numerous comments over the last couple of days, except the last sentence:

“You’re literally implying that nobody can write a sing about someone they knew unless they go and ask that person’s family member for permission.”

I agree that would be delusional. But that also doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t be a good idea. Or at the least, when the widow of the individual you wrote the song about reached out with what she characterizes as a “very loving note,” and Isbell doesn’t even respond, it creates the situation we are in now.

I think a lot of people need to approach this issue reminding themselves of two things: Jenn Marie Earle’s husband is dead. The daughter of Justin Townes Earle no longer has a father. As opposed to trying to win arguments online, I think people need to see the deeper humanity involved here. You don’t have to agree with everything that Jenn Marie Earle is asserting. I certainly don’t. But the idea that you have to fight with a bereaved widow to preserve the reputation of Jason Isbell seems like a loss of important perspective on the seriousness of this matter.

As a small point of clarification, I think a lot of people are arguing with her not to defend Jason, but to defend Justin. I mean, she’s turned his legacy social media pages into her personal page to further what is clearly some very long-standing beef, from long before this song came out. She’s commenting from Justin’s account, as though from his voice, liking some truly nasty comments about Amanda, “real women”, and now even anti-vax and anti-mask stuff. She’s running her dead husband’s reputation into the ground with this behavior. Why does the estranged widow take more precedence than estranged friends? Don’t know if this James is really her father here, but he’s clearly exacerbating the situation, including going after Steve Earle, a father who lost his only child.

Jason doesn’t need anyone to defend him, but it looks like Justin does.

Sorry I meant Larry not James. Looked at the wrong name, d’oh.

I think something to take into consideration here is that neither you, nor I nor anyone else in this thread knows exactly all the details of what has transpired with regard to this whole issue. For all we know, Isbell may have lawyers that have told him it’s in his best interest to leave it alone. In the interview to which you referred in this piece, Isbell said he didn’t want the topic to come back up…obviously difficult for him as well. Then, in her note, Earle’s widow said, “Being the said “victims” he is speaking of…” It did not seem to me that he was referring to her at all. It seemed much more likely that he was referring to drug users. However, I don’t know, neither do you, neither does she and neither does anyone reading this thread. I think that by bringing this issue into this venue, things are possibly made worse. Since we now seem to live in a world full of haters and vitriol, this story gives them (as ignorant of the truth as they may be) a platform to be hateful. You rightly state, “The brilliance of Jason Isbell the songwriter is hard to deny.” Isbell also does a great deal of good with charity work. Let’s not forget all the good he does. You also stated, “But while the media regularly praises Isbell for his positive attributes, they regularly sweep issues like the concerns with “When We Were Close” under the rug, as Isbell remains lauded, and any criticism of him is commonly considered verboten.” I’d have to say at best, that is total speculation on your part and at worst total Bulls**t. Earle’s widow also speaks to the trauma that her daughter had forced on her. The daughter asked to hear the song. She’s either 5 or 6 years old. I doubt, without a play by play explanation of the lyrics that the little girl would have had a clue as to what the song was about. Or mom could have said, “No you’re not going to hear it.” All in all, there is too much gray area, too much speculation and too much judgment going on here. This whole issue should be between Isbell and the widow. It’s really none of my business or yours or your readers’. I think you made a mistake by publishing this story.

As I have explained in other comments, I had been sitting on this story for 10 months, and probably had enough information to publish something about it, but decided it was a private matter, and should be kept as such. Comments posted on this site over the last 10 months verify this. When Jenn Marie Earle published her statement, at that point I would argue it was imperative to publish something about it, and would arguably be a compromise of ethics if I didn’t.

I was very frustrated this morning as I kept waiting for other outlets to pick up on this very important story, and they didn’t. Finally this afternoon, numerous stories have been published, and my guess is there will be 50+ by the end of business tomorrow.

I agree this matter SHOULD have been handled privately. According to Jenn Marie Earle, she sent Jason Isbell a “loving” note to try and do so. When it went unanswered, she took it to the streets.

Jason is a punk and a hypocrite.

Jason Isbell is a smug piece of shit, what else is new

Deep insight you’ve given us there, buddy.

Obviously, you seem to be an expert!

It’s not obvious.

Don’t disrespect Sloth from Goonies that way

Riding on the coattails of grief

I’m Jenn’s dad andwatched Justin’s growth and demise for years and always felt Jason rode in on Justin’s coat tails. With Jason for an even ex friend you surely don’t need enemies Jason has that covered. Justin left Jenn a ton of debt if Jason had any ethics or morality he should spread the wealth in stead he has his manager threaten Jenn. Life’s a trip.

My thoughts and best wishes go out to you and all your family. Stay strong 🖤

And bingo. There it is – the money grab.

We knew the money grab was gonna come. It was always about money. Ain’t no way a 6-yr old knew anything about a song that isn’t on pop radio or their fav TV show unless people go out of their way to expose the child to it.

You people are disgusting

No there is no money grab except that Jason wrote a song that is brutal just to make money. This 6 yr old is very intelligent and knows many artists by their songs and names. She is intelligent and beautiful maybe someday she’ll write a song about Jason she has memory like Justin he was actually very intelligent but how would you know I doubt you ever even met him.

She has never said a word about your money grab it’s about Jason and the pain he causes people.

Larry, I’ve corresponded with Jenn-Marie a few times and she’s awesome. I have so much respect and love for her. She’s doing an incredible job in the face of catastrophic loss and devastation. Sending you all love from Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Thank you for your kind words she is in fact incredible and my granddaughter is out of this world.

Absolute nonsense. Coattails? Isbell had Billboard 200 charting albums and major network tv performances before Justin had ever released a single song. You have no clue what you’re talking about.

Justin was a spoiled nepo baby whose father was beloved in the industry. He was born into his success.

Proverbs 16:18

At the least he is incredibly inconsiderate to an old friends family. We can not guess what is behind the anger he feels toward JTE and his family. My guess is it that he could never be the man that Justin was. He will always be less than, no matter how much he succeeds. His actions do give one the sense of a small and petty person.

Very well said you nailed it.

It was a tribute song. It wasn’t mean spirited. It wasn’t vitriolic. And it wasn’t a money grab. He writes songs for a living. His songs are about what he’s seen, loved and experienced. And he’s great at it. In fact it’s a fantastic song. It was a tip of the hat. What goes pathetically unsaid is that the family is upset a family member died. NOT that a song (every word of that song true to life, by the way) was written in tribute of the deceased.

I agree that the song doesn’t come across as mean-spirited, and I think that Isbell did not mean to harm anyone by it. However, it’s not just the song that is at issue, but Isbell’s actions (or inaction) before and after it was released that Jenn Marie Earle is taking exception to.

You say that “every word of that song true to life, by the way,” but this is what Jenn Marie had to say:

“…and then immediately following Etta’s mention with grotesque graphic details of his death that 1. were absolutely unnecessary 2. were not released to the public (and the details were incorrect) 3. that it is not “his truth” to share, being completely removed from the situation for years up to Justin’s death.”

So according to Jenn Marie Earle, those details were not “true to life.” Granted, I am not privy to the details myself, so I cannot verify this. But it seems to me Jenn Marie would be in a better position to know the details compared to Jason Isbell, who was estranged from Justin Townes Earle, and had been for years at the time of his passing.

I think it’s hard to say what “true to life” means here. The song is clearly from Isbell’s POV, and the lines in question seem to represent the “picture” he has based on the information he knew.

I also think he doesn’t look great in this situation, but it’s impossible to know what things might have looked like if he had given the family a heads up. There seems to be something sort of dishonest about that approach, given that it’s his song. If they’d asked him to change or not release it, then what?

I do think he should have been out front with some plan to make a financial contributions to overdose prevention or any orgs close to the Earle family. I remember seeing his widow at some point looked to set up a nonprofit for this purpose but not sure the current status.

And fwiw, I’m a fan of Isbell but I think JTE is miles away the greatest among the movement/generation of alt-country/americana/whatever songwriters of the 2000s that he and Isbell both represent.

I respect your opinion but you’re way off base in fact not even remotely close. You don’t write a song about a friend that make his supposed friends daughter cry every time she hears it. I’m Jenn’s dad and E’s grandfather. Who are you just someone with an opinion.

“Every time she hears it”? As a father to a 6 year old daughter, I can tell you that your granddaughter shouldn’t know that song exists. Let alone hear it repeatedly. Please spare the child the trauma. Good god.

Isn’t he a better man simply in the fact he sobered up? Let’s be honest here. Justin Earle did not love his family enough to be sober for them. It’s incredibly sad, but true. Jason isbell quit. He chose to live. He chose to stay. That’s a better man. On the “coat tails” subject…no. wrong. Justin Earle was less talented.

This comment is not only hurtful but ignorant to the point of being childish. Firstly, because he died as a result of an accidental overdose due to cocaine laced with fentanyl. Secondly because addiction is an illness. I have not followed the story closely enough to know whether he was still struggling with addition at the time of his death. The fact that he took some cocaine would not serve as proof either way but if he was then it just isn’t as simple as just quitting because you have a family. I really like Jason’s music but i think he has conducted himself poorly. Can you imagine acting in such a way? He should at least personally acknowledge the grief he has caused.

Isbell is a great songwriter. he’s also a controversial person with some unhelpful tendencies

Estranged or not, if he had a song to write, and a good one, it’s his to perform every bit as much as if Willie wrote one for Waylon after he died. Or Audrey writing one for Hank, or Johnny.

However, he’s obviously crossed some line, perceived or otherwise.

The streisand effect tells us that any backlash against something, even innocuous, draws more attention to it than its own existence. Jason Aldean and Oliver Anthony have both demonstrated this lately.

It sounds like a very personal feud between people who should have been able to sit and hash it out like adults.

But there’s one obvious thing about Jason Isbell: he cannot apologize or admit fault.

It’s not that he doesn’t know how, he’s a raconteur of the highest calibre. it’s not that he lacks the vocabulary or communication skills.

He lacks the humility. people on their second divorce usually aren’t good at apologizing.

I’m hoping that taking criticism for this forces Isbell to grow as a person

I will say that songs like White Berretta kind of prove otherwise. We don’t know what happened between Jason and Justin, but there are two sides to every story, and dead men don’t talk. I, for one, have a greater appreciation for JTE as a result of the song, and have actually purchased JTE music as a DIRECT RESULT. In effect, JTE’s reputation and body of work are actually elevated as a result of this pettiness. Would the Earle family feel differently if the roles were reversed, and the surviving Justin wrote about Jason’s hypothetical death in a similar manner? I don’t know, but I guarantee their defense (or denigration) of ‘artistic freedom’ would look very, very different.

When it comes to a song like this. I feel like it isn’t a close call to say the Earle family is in the wrong with this. Justin Townes Earle touched many people and why I can get the sudden feeling of whiplash to have this song out in world. It’s still a story Jason has the right to tell because it has touched him as well, I also have to question how in the world a child knows about the song on what is a very dark Parental Advisory/TV MA record. That just feels either irresponsible or playing for sympathy points.

interesting observation, there. I would say that given the circumstances, the family is no stranger to difficult conversations and while it’s unclear how bad the blood between friends got, it isn’t so much of a stretch to imagine that the family at least keeps tabs on his work (or at least knew what he had created)

I think the incorrect information here is what’s so damning

Is it callous, knowing how personal it must have been? or is it just changing some details deliberately?

We may never know. I’m hoping Isbell just changed the situation for lyrical purposes or to not be too obvious about the details, instead of fudging the truth about the death of a friend and peddling misinformation

If you had a clue about their child you would realize what an ignorant comment that is. E is very smart at six she talks like an adult and processes and has comprehensionyears beyond her age not to mention tall and beautiful. Jenn is doing a fantastic job raising her nothing dark or weird your in the same boat as Jason floundering in ignorance. This is Jenn’s dad I know exactly what’s up with the entire situation. I could get very insulting to you but I won’t.

Please don’t, it won’t help anything and will just make you look like a bitter old guy.

I couldn’t agree more.

I’d love to know how Steve Earle feels about all this. As JTE’s father, and a great songwriter himself who is an addict in recovery that shares Isbell’s “ability” to piss people off, I wonder whether he feels Isbell has behaved badly in any way in connection with his song about JTE. I could well be wrong but I’m guessing he doesn’t; after all, he invited Isbell to perform at the tribute concert to JTE he hosted at the despite the fact that JTE and Isbell had been estranged for years. And while I wish JTE’s widow, child, and father-in-law didn’t feel pained and “victimized” by Isbell’s actions or inactions, they don’t speak for all of JTE’s family.

Jason Isbell is an a-hole.

That’s pretty much my reaction to all this stuff. He’s an amazing songwriter and I will continue to listen to him, but he ain’t the first – nor the last – artist whose public image stands in stark contrast to the actual person.

I’m finding I listen to him less, which is sad because it’s such great music. I was really disappointed by the way he treated Amanda in his documentary. It spoke to a selfishness I don’t see in his music. His music is compelling because it feels authentic and written with empathy. His actual character emerging in contrast to the character implied by his songwriting erodes his authenticity.

Try as I might to separate the man from the music, when I listen to him, I can’t help but think of his now 2nd estranged wife, the way he treated her, and the way he treats his friends and their families with little regard. An authentic, good person doesn’t do that. Being so at odds with the empathy in his songs, it makes them ring hollow – it feels authentic, but he doesn’t actually care about anyone more than himself. Makes me rather cynical of music I once revered. I can still appreciate his music, and him, but much less than I did and with less regard.

I don’t think anyone is shocked that an addict is selfish. But one had hoped, or I did at least, that a recovering addict that writes like he does, was a better person than that. It’s disappointing, and that’s what it feels like now listening to him – always with a tinge of disappointment. So much so I’m not excited to see him at shows any more.

You can always go to the show and wear a JTE T-shirt. Just sayin’…

I wear my JTE baseball tee to most Americana shows.

I have one, too. Picked it up the last time I saw him (May 2018),

Interesting that this article completely fails to touch on Earle’s destructive tendencies. And no, the reasons behind the falling out between Earle and Isbell are known.

But allow me to note that Isbell lost someone who was at one point a friend, as well. And Isbell has every right to grieve as well and no one has the right to tell him how to grieve or express that grief. My best friend of twenty years died two years ago. Two of my other friends had in the preceding years had a falling out with him and, after his death, expressed to me that they felt bad that they never had a chance to make it right or get closure of it and that they would always regret that. Perhaps that’s how Jason feels.

But you know what, that really doesn’t matter. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t say that “well, they had a falling out and were no longer close, oh, but also, he owed Justin’s wife some kind of ‘heads up’ that the song was coming.” You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.

More and more, this site just seems to like to shit on Isbell. I don’t know what it is that Jason did to you, Kyle, but ever since “Reunions,” you’ve had a huge axe to grind with Isbell. Reporting on this story is one thing, but at least have the guts to give both sides of the story.

Justin Townes Earle’s personal issues, and issues with addiction have been well documented here. I was the guy that broke the news about Earle going on a drunken tirade, tearing up a green room, and getting arrested in 2010, and took a ton of heat for it at the time:

https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/belligerent-justin-townes-earle-arrested-in-indianapolis/

I also linked to the article that explained that Justin Townes Earle died of a drug overdose, and have written numerous articles both before since his passing about his numerous personal issues.

This article could have sprouted all kinds of tangents. I could have enumerated all kinds of other Jason Isbell issues. Instead I simply contetualized how you have the media praising Jason Isbell for his “radical empathy,” and meanwhile he allegedly refuses to even communicate with the widow of Justin Townes Earle over this issue when communication probably could have resolved it escalating to this point.

Jason Isbell is the reigning Song of the Year winner here at Saving Country Music. “Weathervanes” was marked as the #2 album of 2023 here, and as I said then, it probably was the “best” album of 2023, but decided to give Album of the Year to Gabe Lee since it was actually a country album.

These continued attacks on anyone who ever has anything negative to say about Jason Isbell is one of the reasons a lack of accountability in his career and personal life has persisted. Jenn Marie Earle said it as well and I concur, Jason Isbell is a great songwriter, and this is not a personal attack on him. But setting the record strait about how the family feels about this song seems like something that is in the public interest.

>This article could have sprouted all kinds of tangents

You randomly mentioned his divorce at the end of a paragraph. How is that not a tangent?

Recall that Saving Country Music was probably the only website in country music or entertainment not to report on the Jason Isbell / Amanda Shies divorce. Nonetheless, it speaks to a messy personal life while Isbell daily passes severe judgement upon people on social media from supposed high ground, earning massive spreads in major periodicals for his supposed “radical empathy.”

I’m not sure why so many want to make this about me. Jenn Marie Earle posted a 12-paragraph dissertation on this issue and a video. My question is why nobody else in the press hasn’t addressed this yet? It’s now 24 hours old.

That song looks more like a self reflection than a tribute.

>Recall that Saving Country Music was probably the only website in country music or entertainment not to report on the Jason Isbell / Amanda Shies divorce

I respect that. I didn’t hear about it until you threw it into a paragraph without context.

Yes, fuck his radical empathy and the treatment he gets. But the divorce comment was unnecessary for what is an otherwise (in my opinion flawed but) well crafted article exploring the other side of artists creating stories about real life and real people. I think you above all could cra craft a strong article focusing on that narrative; I don’t think you miss the mark here but I think you could do better.

>It’s now 24 hours old.

It’s Saturday.

Maybe because the same blog posting this is the one that lamented that Cast Iron Skillet was unrelatable because it discussed interracial marriage?

I’m just saying, if you are gonna bash a dudes song for addressing things in the world you know nothing about, don’t be shocked when they question your decision to amplify stories down the line

When “Cast Iron Skillet” was released, it was placed on Saving Country Music Top 25 Current Playlist, reserved for the top songs released at any moment.

Link: https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/newest-adds-to-saving-country-musics-top-25-current-playlist-119/

This was the review for “Cast Iron Skillet” from the 9 out of 10 review for “Weathervanes”:

Link: https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-jason-isbell-the-400-units-weathervanes/

“The mix of simple country wisdom with a progressive story speaks to the command and confidence that Isbell brought to the writing of Weathervanes, which draws its name from this song. Definitely a standout from the album and one of its early singles, it was one of the first signs that Isbell had returned to his top songwriting and storytelling form. “Cast Iron Skillet” does beg the question though, is interracial marriage really the hot button cultural issue it once was? It sure doesn’t feel like it, at least on the same level as school shootings. Despite the signaling to constituents, the songwriting of “Cast Iron Skillet” endures any tough scrutiny.”

You an everyone else picking through reams of positive coverage for Jason Isbell on this website to falsely claim an underlying bias continue to gaslight yourselves and others.

Justin Townes Earle’s widow publishing a 12-paragraph missive and following it up with a lengthy video about how she felt wronged by Jason Isbell and “When We Were Close” is definitely news worth reporting. And as opposed to scrutinizing why I reported on it, or how I reported on it, maybe ask the question why no other outlet reported on it at all, or on the other incidents involving Isbell.

At some point, perhaps it’s fair to conclude that there is a pattern of behavior from Isbell that deserves to be scrutinized, or at least, reported on, that the media is actively and purposely sweeping under the rug, while instead publishing obsequious puff pieces about his “radical empathy.”

Real journalism is giving credit where credit is due, and criticizing where criticism is warranted. Whether it’s taking a very small, passing exception about the perspective of an otherwise great song like “Cast Iron Skillet,” or awarding Isbell the Saving Country Music Song of the Year months before reporting on the bereaved widow of Justin Townes Earle, I think I have been extremely fair to Jason Isbell.

It was not a over dose. It was fentynal. Steve verifies that at his own shows.

Yep – and Steve’s story specifically contradicts the line about “bathroom tiles” that Jenn-Marie takes issue with.

Saw Steve last August. Talked about the dangers of fentynal and how quick it can be. He suggested that Justin probably knew something was wrong and only got a couple of steps before collapsing. And like Lester says, not on the bathroom tiles.

Your article wasn’t exactly fair and unbiased, so maybe it should be labeled an opinion piece.

This seems incredibly unfair to one of the few journalists to remain impartial in the polarized climate we live in.

This story wasn’t about Jason Isbell. it was about the family of Justin Townes Earl. we’ve had every other day, every other review on the song and album to talk about how Isbell felt writing this song.

Today we talk about how earle’s family feels

To argue with that about something we’ve had plenty of time and space to discuss isn’t just unhelpful, it’s rather hurtful.

Ample attention has been given to Isbell. little has been given to the earles.

And yes, the situation is complicated and neither side owes the public anything.

We don’t know why isbell chose not to talk to the family directly. maybe he was ashamed, most likely he didn’t feel like he needed to or possibly didn’t know how to humble himself.

We can empathize with what the family is going through with personal tragedy laid out before all and sundry without starting a witchhunt against Isbell.

Which is to say, Jason Isbell gets enough attention.

Now the Earles can get some.

And we should approach this with empathy for the earles without turning the discussion to what Isbell could or should have done.

Which benefits isbell more than the earles

“we should approach this with empathy for the earles without turning the discussion to what Isbell could or should have done.”

Your whole argument kind of falls apart here because much of the article, and even your own previous comments on it here, discuss “what Isbell could or should have done.”

Once again, you can’t have it both ways.

That was a great post! I feel Jason saw how much he could make off that song and couldn’t resist putting it on his album and promoting as much as possible regardless of how it would hurt Justin’s family and friends. He must have really hated Justin I know Justin was difficult but he didn’t deserve the immense disrespect for everyone involved except himself. Seems like Jason has a huge ego and feels he can do whatever he wants and it’s right because, “That’s just who I am,” to quote Jason from that despicable interview. He has exposed hit true self and isn’t very pretty. That you for your kind words.

Well said, Sir! My thoughts too.

Honestly, the only hate I see in the song is directed inwards?

Like, it’s obviously in very poor taste…but it’s very much a “This is how I feel about this awful thing” song.

“And no, the reasons behind the falling out between Earle and Isbell are known.“

Genuine question; what were the reasons? I don’t know them and when I did a Google search, I only got Isbells version as to what happened.

Earle was in a relationship with a woman who Jason hired as a roadie/crew member and when the relationship ended, Earle wanted Jason to fire the woman. Jason refused because she hadn’t done anything that warranted being fired so Earle basically said “if you don’t fire her, you’re an ah, we’re not friends anymore.”

And Jason had the integrity to not fire someone who had done nothing that warranted firing.

Jason has no integrity bro.

I can’t take seriously anyone who calls a complete stranger “bro.”

You’re irrelevant and lack credibility.

Why don’t you shove where the son doesn’t shine and replace it with dick wad. outside of being Jenn’s dad I probably know more about Justin, Jenn and Jason than you’ll ever know. Who are you some jerk with an opinion with no real facts? Dick wad.

Mr. Maynard Time to give it a rest. That ain’t helping your cause.

Do you kiss your granddaughter with that mouth?

Yay for the internet where people can be whoever they claim to be. In that context “Jenns dad” feel free to read this like I’m Donald Sutherland for all I care.

But if you are really Jenns dad, I’d say congratulations on finding someone to misplace your anger. Jason had absolutely nothing to do with Justin’s death… nor does he owe Justin’s family any explanation of his desire to elaborate on his feelings over Justin’s death to them. They are his experiences, his feelings, his words.

You on the other hand seem perfectly content on using Jason to deflect your obvious and understandable anger at the situation. That’s totally reasonable, as is everything Jenn said about the situation. That doing that alone is not enough for you so you come on a random site and start bashing randos that don’t flock to you, is pretty pathetic and a cry for help more than anything worth commenting further on

I’m so curious to know if Jenn Marie is the reason Justin was so insistent on Jason firing his ex, and the falling out in general. Judging from the comments Jenn Marie is liking and amplifying on Justin’s legacy Instagram, some of which are shockingly sexist and cruel and petty, including ones saying Jason “is c-cked in his marriage” (wtf?), and her father’s comments here about how she’s a “real woman” who “stands by her man until death” (weren’t they separated when he OD’ed?), it appears like she has some deeply ingrained learned misogyny. That breaks my heart. Was Justin also like that in life? It would be so disappointing if that’s the case, but I’m starting to fear it was.

The way I heard it Justin had a girlfriend that worked for him they broke up, I don’t remember her name and two days later she’s working for Jason. Justin asked him to fire her but he wouldn’t. Justin felt like Jason was rubbing her in Justin’s face and had no respect for all the things Justin did for him. I guess that started the feud Jason has no respect for anyone but himself regardless of who it hurts and can rationalize his behavior. So sad he has a lot to learn about how the world really works and affect his actions have on others.

wait, the guy who wouldn’t fire someone’s ex just because he is someone’s ex is the bad guy in your story? not the guy who tried to get his ex fired out of spite?

This ‘ex/roadie’ thing has been related two different ways in this comments section. each one with very different context that reflects very differently on both Isbell and JTE

An earlier comment implies that JTE dated an Isbell roadie and then tried to get Isbell to fire her after they went sour.

The comment above yours says Isbell hired her AFTER the JTE split, possibly in a manner insensitive to JTE

Neither account really delves into what was said between JTE and Isbell nor who was at fault in the breakup.

This is a great example of how rumors and outright misinformation can spread.

Having never heard this story before I hope to remain impartial by saying that it really isn’t anyone’s business and we as people claiming to support the artists shouldn’t spread partial truths or out and out falsehoods, and that we need to only ingest and reflect on what information we actually have in plain terms:

We need to proceed with empathy towards the earls and productive accountability for Isbell if the situation warrants it.

If you had a clue about their child you would realize what an ignorant comment that is. E is very smart at six she talks like an adult and processes and has comprehension years beyond her age not to mention tall and beautiful. Jenn is doing a fantastic job raising her nothing dark or weird your in the same boat as Jason floundering in ignorance. This is Jenn’s dad I know exactly what’s up with the entire situation. I could get very insulting to you but I won’t.

Until I read this I had no idea there was a backstory, that it was in reference to real people. Now that I know…? I guess I will just remember the lodestar: the song is the thing, ignore the artist.

“More and more, this site just seems to like to shit on Isbell.”

Jason Isbell shits on himself. No one needs to do it for him.

This comes as no surprise considering how much of a pompous narcissistic dork Isbell is. Naturally this has only been enhanced by his success and the exaggerated acclaim for both his songwriting and his very mediocre guitar playing. Isbell has spent years fulfilling his self proclaimed calling to be the savior of the voiceless victims and disseminator of the absolute truth via his snarky Tweets. He’s absolutely has made major contributions to ever increasing the divide between Americans with his divisive and close minded grandstanding from the comfort of his Twitter app. So of course he had the brilliant revelation that “this song needed to exist” so he could rescue all the drug addicts and junkies from their fate. (As someone who has much first hand experience dealing with the loss of friends and family to overdoses and drug addiction I can assure you his self serving songs are not saving lives) The very fact that he has no shame in an interview letting us know how important his songs are should tell you everything you need to know.

Well said. Enough with the superlatives about his songwriting. Jason Isbell is a competent songwriter with a below-average voice and over-inflated ego. And he has no class.

I have nothing to say about the controversy that is driving this thread, since it’s not my business and I have no personal knowledge of issues or specifics.

I enter here only to express agreement with whose who are of the view that Isbell’s songwriting skills are bafflingly overrated. I confess I’ve never understood the hype surrounding him. I picked up his most recent release thinking that maybe I have been missing something. I heard nothing to change my mind. Not bad, just (as noted above) “competent.” Another word for a practitioner at that level is journeyman.

Um, I don’t know about this story and all that but Jason Isbell is a fantastic singer and a super guitarist. He used to have epic battles with Browan Lollar in the 400 unit. I saw him do an encore of Hendrix’s Stone Free once and he blew the roof off the place.

He’s a legend in his own mind possibly a flash in the pan we’ll see.

A flash in the pan?? Might want to take those blinders off and step away from the fire, you’re standing too close to the flames.

It did seem odd that Isbell posted a lot less on Twitter when the Oscars campaign for the Scorsese movie was going on.

I wonder what the precedent is for a leading light of Americana who is so belligerent (and now has a divorce to pay off). Someone will know!

He’s doing it on threads….

Didn’t figure it would take long for those who blindly love Isbell to swarm to his defense. The man could burn down an orphanage and his diehards would blame the kids for pushing him to that point.

Did Isbell feel like he had to write the song? Maybe so. It’s cathartic for some people, and that’s fine. But it’s not unreasonable to have a conversation with the late subjects family before trying so hard to make a buck off of it. I’m actually a little shocked that a noted virtue signaler like Isbell didn’t go that route.

Helluva lyricist, but once again, he’s made himself look like a chronic pain in the ass.

Honestly, I think the song is one of the least concerning parts of this issue. I respect those who take issue with it. But Isbell does have creative license to broach whatever subjects he wishes, and I don’t think his original intent was to hurt anyone.

It’s the subsequent actions that have caused this private matter to go public. Jenn Marie Earle and others stayed silent about this for going on a year. It is Jason Isbell who kept pressing the issue with his words and actions until they felt they could no longer be silent.

And yes, now it’s not that Isbell has been callous in how he’s handled this situation, and perhaps should address this situation publicly to try and make amends. It’s that HE’S the victim of JTE’s crazy widow, and a journalist with an agenda. At least according to some of his fans who seem to think he can do not wrong.

Jenn is far from a crazy widow she’s actually very smart and the kind of woman that stands by her man till death do they part. Thanks for you kind observations.

Pssst, “a woman who stands by her man” ain’t the compliment you think it is in 2024.

What world do you live in the one that libtards took the word liberal from the sixties from hippies and twisted it to mean the opposite?

Really surprised at how many of you are defending Isbell here. From a purely creative standpoint, I don’t think it was wrong for Jason to write or even release the song; but his callous treatment towards Earle’s widow and daughter shows a true lack of decency and character on Isbell’s part. Given that Jason himself is a father the idea that he wouldn’t even pause to think of the impact that this would have on Justin’s family speaks volumes for what a piece of shit he is. I have some secondhand knowledge of what he was like with Shonna and none of this seems out of character for how he treats those he is supposedly close with.

Only a supreme narcissist would think that his songwriting “powers” outweighed kicking a widow and her child when they are down. Whatever beef he had with Justin should have been left between him and Justin. He could have written a song about JTE that touched only upon their relationship together, he could have written this song and told Jenn about it beforehand or even used an intermediary to do so if the thought was too uncomfortable, he could have pledged to donate royalties to Etta’s college fund or to a substance abuse prevention charity. In rejecting each and every one of these options, he chose only what would benefit Jason Isbell. Radical empathy my ass.

I’ve seen Jason play twice and have most of his catalog on vinyl. Every music fan has artists where the enjoyment of the music and the reality about the behavior of the creators come into conflict. Some people draw the line at politics (and despite being more sympathetic to Isbell’s positions, his personality on social media over politics is doing his cause way more harm than good), others draw the line when an artist does something unthinkably horrible that they can’t hear past in the music. He may be a talented songwriter and guitar player but I can no longer stomach hearing his music and continued praise of his future work will only serve to remind me of who he truly is.

You keep reposting the same thing to multiple people.

Not sure who you think you’re replying to but I’m clearly on Jenn and Etta’s side in this comment.

@L-E-B — That’s the crazy thing about a lot of Internet comment threads. When a thread gets really heated, after a while, nobody has any idea who you’re responding to–unless you spell it out like I did here.

It was not aimed at you I’m very sorry and thanks for your kind observations. Once again I’m very sorry guess I got caught up in the bs. It’s upsetting when some clown spouts off about something they really have know knowledge of.

I wanted to make sure you got my apology I was relying to a previous comment and it looks like I was responding to you. Please accept my apology.

Thanks Larry. I appreciate that and I’m sorry your family is going through this as someone who is processing significant grief myself right now.

Lake Erie, Hang in there. It’s tough, but doable. Recommend that you don’t go with the – I will conquer this and get over it. Choose instead, to understand that you are going to get through it.

: D Rejoice in the long stretches of sun, and laughter, and love. And just as importantly, let yourself have the moments you need to step back, and just be. 🕊️

I don’t know all the context, but there does seem to be something kind of off about the song and his focus on it. If Isbell is a former addict himself, you’d think he’d be a little less harsh and judgemental towards someone else who was trapped in addiction. Maybe in the name of brutal honesty we can allow an artist to speak ill of the dead, but taking that ugly brutal honesty to Jimmy Kimmel and drawing attention to it, for your own profit and self-promotion? It does seem to lack compassion. And yeah I think a heads up would have been appropriate. The song berates JTE for what he did to his “victims” but then he shows no sensitivity to those victims, completely undermining his self-righteous pose. What an ugly situation. If I’m reading this wrong let me know. I don’t know the details of their biographies.

One important part of this story that is easy to overlook is that it’s not just about the song, but Isbell’s actions before and after its release. He could have sent a note to Justin’s widow and the Earle family alerting them the song was coming. Even if they disagreed with the content of the song, this could have gone a long way. After the song was released, they have reached out to him subsequently to let their feelings be known, and it seems that Isbell hasn’t responded, or taken their concerns seriously.

And even though Isbell has known that the song has been poorly received by Jenn Marie and Earle’s family, he chose to make it a single to promote to radio, and the song he performed on Kimmel.

Though this is the first time this issue has been broached publicly, in the industry and in private, people have been talking about this since the release of “Weathervanes.” Jenn Marie is also not the only one who has been angered by this.

Three days after the release of Weathervanes, someone very aware of the situation left a comment on Saving Country Music:

https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-jason-isbell-the-400-units-weathervanes/comment-page-1/#comment-1522993

That is where I was made aware of it. Isbell had to be aware of it too.

I believe all effort was put out by Jenn Marie Earle and the Earle family to not make this ugly. But when Isbell mentioned the “victims” in the recent interview, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Who are the victims? Dead addicts are the victims.

Your spun and your comment about the money grab is just what Jason did when and why he wrote that song. He could give a shit if it makes a six year old cry every time she hears the song. It’s a real insight into Isbell’s true character that’s why Jenn gets threatening calls from his manager instead calling her and talking it over. So I guess you think somehow Jason is saving lives that really makes very little sense.

Well he was lost in addiction and alcoholism I’m told and Justin cleaned him up bought him a new guitar and took him to Dive Letterman then he bought him a suit to get married in. Jason has a very short memory and very little class. He owes Jenn and her daughter a serious apology if not royalties. He should be ashamed of himself.

Jenn seems to be handling this perfectly.

Let’s look at Jason’s revealing quote:

“ I had to say, how many victims [will there be] if I tell the truth, how many victims if I don’t. And then you make that choice. You know, because the song has to exist, you know I don’t know why but I decided on that a long time ago because that’s what I do, that’s who I am. So you know, usually if you tell the truth, you make less victims than if you don’t.”

There would have been exactly zero “victims” if this song never existed. There are victims due to the song, so he’s bullshitting here.

And think about the extreme audacity for him to think that this song saved anyone, that it prevented even one victim.

That inane arrogance is the source of every single problem with Jason. Come on, man.

He’s saying maybe putting the song out there will make someone in a similar situation think twice. It’s not that hard to understand.

Right, it’s easy to understand.

The point is he’s wrong, the song almost certainly won’t save anyone. Especially compared with JTE’s actual story, which is infinitely stronger and more poignant.

So it’s a dumb and arrogant justification from Isbell. So you’re left asking yourself how he can be so delusional to think he’s a savior.

Nearly as arrogant as thinking you speak for everyone who will ever listen to the song, in my opinion.

Ridiculous.

I like Isbell too, but it’s extremely arrogant to assume your songs make you a savior.

It’s vile to try to justify victimizing a little girl, daughter of your dead friend, by claiming you’re a savior songsmith.

Meanwhile, I’m just pointing out extremely obvious implications from his own words.

That was right on point thanks for having clear vision of what and who Jason really is. Life is all about him and and that’s the reality of his actions.

Well he has definitely hurt Justin’s family and friend do you have a list if those Jason has helped besides himself.

Thing about It, Jason’s truth and the actual truth are usually two different things. Not too many bigger condescending pricks out there than him.

I disagree that she’s handling it prefectly. There’s no reason her 6 year old daughter even has to know that the song exists besides her showing it to her, but she keeps using the daughters reaction to make her point. That painful reaction that she refers to only occurred because she was primed by Jenn, and was completely avoidable. Had the daughter just heard to the song without being primed I doubt there would be any reaction whatsoever or even understood any of the lyrics; she’s 6! That painful moment and reaction is on Jenn.

I of course agree that Jason should have handled this better.

I agree that his phrasing was poor. I do think people are interpreting it through too narrow a lense, though. I don’t think that the song is likely to help someone stop using, but I think it can help in another regard. What it made me think about was if there was anybody in my life I’m currently not speaking to, who could realistically pass any day. It brings up questions like “How deep is this grudge?” and “How would I feel if this person died before we made up?” In that light it is reasonable to think that the song can be of actual value.

This event seems to be a Rorschach test for what folks think about Isbell.

Isbell’s song took this tragedy and managed to make it all about himself. Years after JTE’s death, Isbell had to let us know that he was in the right and that, were he here, JTE would have trouble looking him in the eye and would be asking for his forgiveness.

Had he actually wanted to pay tribute, he could have picked any JTE song and covered it on his hit album, helping to ensure that Ms. Earle and her daughter would be taken care of.

“he could have picked any JTE song and covered it”

This is actually a very sound argument. I think he could have done both, “speak his truth” or whatever, AND support his former friend’s legacy.

Jason Isbell reminds me a lot of Roger Waters. Remarkably talented, but their actions outside of music really make it difficult to call myself a fan of theirs.

They always eat their own.

Imagine if Taylor Swift had to notify each and every ex of hers about which songs were about them.

Jason is allowed to spend time processing his own grief, even to long lost friendships (lord knows, the next record is gonna be wild).

Not for nothing, but why does it matter what she thinks? Its his song and his art. No names are given; it’s an “if you know-you know.”

Her daughter is already growing up without her father. Some day she’ll want to know the truth, and I’m sure she’s not reading the headlines

Well said. Couldn’t agree with you more.

You had me up until this gratuitous swipe:

“…or the severely judgemental and decidedly illiberal presence Jason Isbell takes on social media.”

Completely irrelevant in the context of this article subject matter. Who cares? Since you don’t like his politics his views should be held against him? Seems to be antithetical to your entire purpose in writing this article.

This might be the most relevant point to the entire article. Plain and simple: it is Jason Isbell’s symbolic and counter-productive “activism” on social media along social causes that has created a strong allyship for him across the media landscape, especially among feature writers, and strangely, sports writers, that has insulated him from warranted criticism for otherwise callous and irresponsible behavior.

The LA Times and Marissa R. Moss were the ones that cited Isbell’s “radical empathy,” while the widow of Justin Townes Earle is out here posting 12-paragraph missives and videos about how callous he has been to them in this situation.

Isbell’s has used his political stances as a shield and cudgel, while also hurting the causes he purports to champion by being an elitist and an isolationist as opposed to trying to use his platform and the opportunities he’s been bestowed to persuade people to his side.

Like he said on April 6th, “If you like my music but you’re turned off by my online presence that means you’re one of the people I’m trying to eliminate from my audience.”

This isn’t liberalism. It’s most definitely not activism. It’s a form of bigotry, and if you agree with Isbell’s political stances, you should be offended by these types of proclamations, because it’s an active effort to lose consensus around important causes as opposed to convincing people to your side.

Sounds like an active alcoholic / addict… anybody seen him at meetings? I know it is anonymous. Just saying……….. His anger issues. Violence and acting out of control without remorse. Active behavours for an some one who is using. Or just a dry drunk.

My wife once made the observation that Isbell traded alcohol for activism.

Sounds about right to me.

I can’t speak for whether Trigger likes Isbell’s political views or not, but speaking as someone who votes the same way Isbell does, I think the statement is fair. His constant unlikable vibe on social media only hampers any cause he may think he’s supporting.

Well thank you for the moron we have as a president.

this guy is not real, right? lmao. honky?!

Triggered can’t help himself when it comes to Isbell and like-minded artists. He says it’s all about Justin’s family but than brings up an irrelevant divorce and social media posts. Maybe a self-imposed word limit would help.

Earlier this week when Morgan Wallen threw a chair off a roof, I brought up his numerous other arrests, the fact that he yelled the N-word into the dark Nashville night, and his pattern of seeming to not learn from previous mistakes since he never faced any serious consequences for them. In Wallen’s case, at least the media is all over him any time he stumbles. Justin Townes Earle’s widow been a 12-paragraph statement and released a video about this incident, and so far this is the only outlet that has covered it. That is where you find your bias.

I guess naming “King of Oklahoma” Song of the Year a few months ago was just sandbagging.

“the fact that he yelled the N-word into the dark Nashville night,”

Time for you to grow up, and mature into a man, Trig. Enough.

I say this with all due respect to you Di as a long-time reader and commenter.

Go away. Find another website to obsess over. You bring so much nothing to the table. You sit in the weeds and wait for someone to bring up Morgan Wallen or a rapist so you can defend them.

Not into his music and everything I’ve heard personally about him seems to make him a bad apple. I’m not saying he shouldn’t have written the song especially if it was a personal thing for him. Other artists have done similar but usually unless they were Def trying g to be an A hole, it was just some personal cut on a album that they didn’t really try to make a cut off of. Seems like he’s trying to an A hole.

While I think Jason has a right to write about whatever he wants, I can understand why she would not be happy with the song (and what he said in that interview). However, I think it’s important to talk about drug abuse, and as a recovering alcoholic Jason has a unique perspective here. This lyrics made me think about the risks people take when they use drugs and the impact their actions can have on their loved ones. I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say that Jason has likely helped many people fight addiction with his music and his story. All that said, I think he should acknowledge the pain that his song has caused Jenn Marie and her daughter and apologize.

I think she wants more than an apology.

The number of times her dad has mentioned royalties in the comments is very telling.

Clearly her “dad” on here think$ $he should have more than an apology. Come after me, Larereeee!

Well you’re wrong! I would know I’m her father so cut your bs accusations you know nothing about what she thinks or the type of person she is.

: D Hi Mr. Maynard, Please let your daughter and granddaughter know that there are Many people out here wishing them well.

Also, if it will help ease your mind – do not pay attention to the people who are commenting that this is a cash grab. These people think that they are big, bad, and tough. In reality, they are just your penny a dozen, bullies – hiding behind made up names. Take a deep breath or two, & ignore them. They have nothing.

Wishing you & your family a Beautiful day

Thank you, Trig.

Thank you so much for your kind words I will tell Jenn she can’t stand to hear all the nasty contents she a pretty gentle soul and my granddaughter is smart and beautiful. It’s so disturbing to hear that she cries when she hears that song. If there’s a money grab it’s Justin for writing a song he knows will be hurtful and puts on his album and so heavily promotes it. Again thank you very much.

“Justin left Jenn a ton of debt if Jason had any ethics or morality he should spread the wealth” No, that’s not a money grab. SMH lol How bout you cut your BS denials.

Tragedy inspires art. Should Gordon Lightfoot have apologized to all those lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald for using their loss for commercial gain? Tolstoy to all those lost in Napoleon’s invasion of Russia that provides the background of War and Peace? Rather than taking a side here who is right or wrong, I would simply say people process horrific events differently. There isn’t one truth.

Songwriters should have artistic license, and Isbell has the right to process his grief however he chooses. Jenn Marie Earle said as much in the video she posted about the matter. But I think each of these cases deserves their own autonomous consideration. When I first heard “When We Were Close,” I thought it was a good song, and I didn’t see it as problematic or exploitative at all. Knowing that some of the details in the song are not exactly correct is a little troubling, but that happens in art. I think the bigger question is if Isbell could have handled the release of the song and the aftermath better than he did, instead of couching Jenn Marie and Justin’s daughter as “victims” of the song, but unfortunate casualties to a song that will help others. This is what Jenn Marie is taking exception to.

Lightfoot actually changed the lyrics when performing the Fitz in later years in response to family concerns that the original ones made it sound like crew was at fault.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/edmund-fitzgerald-tribute-song-lyrics-changed-by-gordon-lightfoot/2011/11/10/gIQAv3nb9M_blog.html

I don’t really feel like it is my place to tell Jason Isbell what to do with his song. But I think he perhaps could have addressed this problem by tweaking the lyrics in his live performances, or to not act as if he’s pushing the song to the forefront in spite of the controversy.

Back in 2018, Brent Cobb released a song called “King of Alabama” about country artist Wayne Mills who was murdered in Nashville. He co-wrote it with Adam Hood. After they wrote the song, they decided to give Wayne’s young son Jack a songwriting credit on the song, that way he would always receive royalties from it over time.

Again, it’s not my place to tell Jason Isbell to do that for Justin’s daughter here, but it would have been a gesture that could have gone a long way with this issue.

It’s not Jason’s fault that her dead husband was a junkie.

I think Jason is a phony hypocrite masquerading as a “radical” activist. Since I mostly ignore him these days, I didn’t know he’s getting divorced but that’s the least surprising thing I’ve heard in awhile. That said, and “cold” as your comment may be, I agree. I personally would direct my anger at the guy who selfishly became and remained a junkie, rather than some words in a song. We need harsh criticism and even ridicule of people who do that. Instead what we get are excuses, cope, romanticism, and in this case…deflection.

Like most brilliant artists, Jason has demons that he fights every day. I think he has found that in order to stay sober, he has to be brutally honest with his life and feelings and part of that is to talk about those battles. He is probably my favorite musician, but definitely my favorite song writer. That being said, sober Jason’s honesty seems intimidating, drunk Jason would be terrifying!

This is a good article with some pretty obvious bias. I would like to hear both sides, Jason is a good songwriter and so was Justin, I don’t care much about their personal lives but if someone is a complete a-hole, I might not listen to their music. So far I don’t see that, though I get the bad feelings from Justin’s family. His drug addiction and problems have never been a secret from the public, at least from Americana fans. I’ve seen Steve Earle several times in concert and he has discussed his own addiction and Justin’s openly. I’ll be curious to see if Jason ends up providing a more complete apology / explanation

I want to know what Steve thinks about the song.

I agree that Jason Isbell’s perspective is important to this too, and if he shares that, I will be more than happy to add it here or cover it in an updated article. But let’s remember, Jenn Marie Earle’s statement was not just about the song. It was a reaction to what Jason Isbell thinks about the situation, which he conveyed in a recent interview. In that interview, it appears that Isbell is admitting that Jenn Marie, as well as Justin’s daughter are “victims” of the song, meaning Isbell know the song is hurting them. But he justifies this by saying the song is also helping more people, and that’s the balance he has to weigh as a songwriter.

I linked to the interview in the article, but here it is again is anyone wants to see it:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1121895382477217

At the end of the day, social media (and comment sections like this) are more about self-righteousness and “I’m right and you’re wrong” more than anything else. Trigger is entitled to his views but I agree with them or not. What he has not acknowledged is that he’s written two very different articles. 1) a very good news piece on how JTE’s relatives are very unhappy with Isbell for what they believe are very good reasons; and 2) a tangential rant about how the media has coddled Isbell, (starting with the paragraph beginning with “Meanwhile…”. If This Were Cinema instead of prose, it would be a complete change of scene to pick up a different storyline. There’s a reason the cliche “meanwhile, back at the ranch…” exists. Trigger has done exactly that here. Rant away about the media coverage for isbell. But it has nothing to do with the news story about JTE’s family that preceded it.

I covered this story exactly like I covered the Morgan Wallen chair throwing incident earlier this week, giving all the granular information, and then contextualizing it in the grander picture. Just like Morgan Wallen, Jason Isbell’s behavior fits a deeper pattern. And just like Morgan Wallen, the media plays a role in this by what they choose to cover, and what they choose to not cover.

I have covered the good and the bad with Jason Isbell, and I believe I’ve been very fair. I also know that no matter how I covered Jason Isbell, I was going to be attacked for being biased against him. That’s okay. I don’t run a popularity contest. My job is to cover the news. This was news.

Beautifully written, Trig. Love your writing and your heart.

I am shocked that someone is holding a gun to JTE’s wife’s head, making her listen to the song. Oh, wait, you mean she could just not listen and not say anything? Jesus man. That’s nuts. I guess it is easier to point her anger at Jason than it is at her husband’s selfish decisions.

Wow. Never knew it was only possible to be angry at one person at a time. Interesting insight!

There should be a thumb down button

You never saw friends of Kurt Cobain write explicit songs about his manner of death or reference his daughter in a song like this because they actually loved the guy and were devastated by the loss. Same with Andrew Wood. Nobody listened to the Temple of the Dog album or Alice In Chains’ Would? and came away feeling like they’d been ambushed.

It’s clear this song doesn’t come from a place of friendship and love.

If it was a misunderstanding or good intentions gone wrong he would have attempted to clean it up immediately. As it is, it feels pretty scummy to me.

I remember him writing a song about Neal Casal’s death that pretty graphically references the way he dies. I was kind of shocked when I heard it and I don’t even know him. I agree that he has the right to write whatever he wants, but he def should have given a light “ heads up” to his wife-

I’ve said this a million times before, but Jason Isbell is a textbook example of someone getting above their raising. He’s got a right to write whatever song he wants, but to talk about it as if he didn’t have a choice in the matter is ridiculous. I think that’s what most annoying to me; I think he could have written the song a little differently to address more of their estrangement, but ultimately whatever he wrote had the potential to be hurtful. He didn’t have to add on to it by insisting the song was destined to exist, damn the consequences

“If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you’re the asshole.”

Words Isbell should probably take a look at these days.

Thank you, Marshall Givens. My favorite line from my favorite show.

Such a great show and still holds up.

…do you think Isbell would disagree that he’s an asshole, haha?

I certainly don’t – still remember an interview from a couple years back where he basically said that the only thing he’d put before his art is his daughter, that he knows that mentality makes him an asshole…and he’s fine with it because the art comes first.

I’m sure he wouldn’t disagree, but for lot of people it’s the “holier than thou” attitude where it’s “you’re wrong, not me” that runs contradictory to lot of shit he spews. Some self reflection and time away from Threads would do wonders for the man.

Leaving aside the rabbit hole of whether it’s hypocritical to reject intolerance…I’m pretty certain that Threads is where he gets the crazy out by dunking on people he considers “acceptable targets,” rather than by drinking a fifth of Jack or by screaming at his kid.

And let’s be real – Raylan’s also meant to be the asshole, haha!

Jason seems like someone whose company I wouldn’t enjoy.

Not a question of who’s right or wrong here. The man’s just off putting

To say Isbutt is a pompous jerk is an insult to jerks.

Funny how much criticism I see of Isbell, while you and others claim it’s “verboten”. Seems people are mad that he has fans, and that’s just weird. At any rate, I see people complaining about him nearly any time his name is mentioned. I also find it funny that you and others think more people should consider him being liberal a character flaw. Again, so many people bring up that they don’t like it so often, that there’s a real disconnect between what people claim they can’t do or what isn’t done and what clearly happens day after day. Liberals exist, people get divorced, people are estranged, and yet, if Isbell does it, somehow that makes him exceptionally terrible. This is a childish viewpoint.

For the record, the “verboten” statement was about the press, not the public.

I too am frustrated that I can’t even mention Jason Isbell’s name without people coming out of the woodwork to criticize his politics. “Weathervanes” was perhaps the best album released in American roots music in 2023. I named his song “King of Oklahoma” Song of the Year. One of the great things about “Weathervanes” is that it was so good, even a lot of the people who criticize Isbell for his politics had to shut their mouths and recognize the brilliance.

For the record, I don’t see Isbell’s political persuasion as a character flaw at all. I definitely recognize that this causes an immediate knee-jerk reaction from many others who do, but the point I’ve always tried to make about Isbell and politics goes much deeper.

As I said in another comments above, it’s Isbell’s “If you don’t agree with me, then I don’t want you listening to my music” attitude that is the antithesis of true liberalism. If Jason Isbell truly wanted to fight racism, for example, he’d want as many people listening to his song “Cast Iron Skillet” as possible, especially the people with hardened hearts who might be able to see a perspective different than their own through the allegorical persuasion of a well-written song.

But instead of putting his art first, it’s been Isbell’s pointed, and frankly, bigoted social media presence that people think of first. Instead of actually trying to change the world, and change people’s perspectives through his music, he simply resorts to dunking on people to rack up “likes” and clout.

The reason I share these opinions is not because I hate Jason Isbell. It’s because I think Isbell has a unique opportunity as a gifted songwriter with a platform to really do some good. But he is squandering that opportunity by being so judgemental, and simply trying to earn fawning praise from the press and elite class.

When you see all the immediate and stupid “libtard” comments following any mention of Jason Isbell like a tail, this proves my point.

“If Jason Isbell truly wanted to fight racism, for example, he’d want as many people listening to his song “Cast Iron Skillet” as possible, especially the people with hardened hearts who might be able to see a perspective different than their own through the allegorical persuasion of a well-written song.”

Except those exact people just come to Saving Country Music and rank women based on race.

Jason Isbell is a hypocritical , ego maniac who has traded hurting people by being a self serving drunk , to hurting people by being being heartless and thoughtless. “Clean and then Mean”. Nothing new. Anyone that listens to him should have seen this coming in all of his, judgemental, one sided , know it all lyrics. He was humble and amazing for Southeastern. (Rehab)

Since.. songs are written from a little different perspective I’d say.

I can start off by making it clear that I absolutely love Jason’s music and lyrics, his album Southeastern showing up in my life at a time when I really needed it. I do, however, see why some people can’t stand him. I, myself, do not have much of problem with him in that sense, but I do hate large portions of his fan base (there is no artist in existence worthy of the worship that he receives). With that on the table, on to the issue at hand.

While I can absolutely appreciate JTE’s family feeling uncomfortable with the song in question, I don’t quite get why so many outsiders feel so passionately about it. I think it’s a rather interesting song, in that it deals with both survivor’s guilt and the lingering resentment of having a falling out with a close friend that will be forever unsettled. I’m only speculating here, but I get the feeling that Jason always sort of assumed that he and Justin would, some day, settle everything and be friends again, and his death means that that “some day” will never come. It makes, in my opinion, for an interesting song that I don’t know if I’ve ever heard before, especially as Jason allowed an uglier side of grief, and possibly regret, show. And on the topic of any factual inaccuracies, I don’t really see much issue, as it is a song rather than a newspaper article. (On my speculation on Jason’s assumption regarding their future reconciliation, Jason said in his interview with Marc Maron “We’ll probably be friends again soon […] He’ll get over it.”)

It is obviously both unfortunate and entierly understandable that Justin’s family find the song triggering, but that is something that gets to happen. Jason’s song is about his own truth and his own feelings, and it is perfectly within his right to share it. I agree that it would have been much, much better to give the family a heads up – not to ask for permission, but to simply let them know that “this song is coming out, and it won’t be fun for you to hear.” My own speculation on his reasoning is a lot more forgiving than most. I suspect that he was simply too scared of facing Justin’s wife with it, or even interacting with her at all. Though he certainly hasn’t done himself any favors in regards to how he is perceived when it comes to humility (his explanation for why Ryan Adams didn’t end up producing Southeastern comes to mind), the idea that he is just too ego-maniacal seems needlessly judging.

My two cents.

I love some Jason Isbell songs. But sometimes it seems he’s made a career on the “If there’s blood on the ground, buy real estate (or write a song about it)” mantra. Poverty porn esque. Sure it might open eyes to world apart, but damn that high horse he sits on.

I can’t stand his internet persona and it’s kept me from digging into his recent offerings. And I do align with a lot of his views

I can’t take it anymore… the Isbell clan is out in full force here and evidently can’t see how this guy hurts everyone in his path. I loved his music, discovered Truckers in 2004, but look at the wreckage he has left in his path. Truckers, Tucker, JTE, Shires, and now JTE family. He’s toxic, hypocritical, arrogant, self absorbed and represents what is wrong with today’s society.

Someone said above this whole thing is really just a Rorschach test for how people feel about Isbell. I think that sounds about right. I know Trigger keeps saying that the song itself isn’t really the problem, but that certainly isn’t how Jenn Marie Earle feels. To be clear, I get what she’s saying. The song is really is a really explicit reflection of “damn, I did all the same things as him and I’m still here.” I also get that it’s painful that Isbell mentions (not by name) JTE’s daughter, but I mean, Isbell also has a daughter so it hits him differently. As the father of a young daughter myself, I get it. But if we’re picking out songs that broach JTE’s death that we find hard to listen to, why aren’t we also talking about “We’ll Never Wake You Up in the Morning” by Patterson Hood? Is it because outsiders don’t typically associate Patterson with JTE? If so, then Isbell’s and JTE’s relationship does matter. Jason certainly thinks it does.

And to the point of the estrangement of JTE and Isbell, I don’t think that all of a sudden makes their relationship and how Jason feels about it now off limits. I remember when Jason talked about it in an interview where he explained the falling out, he even said that he assumed at some point they’d work things out. That obviously never happened, and you can detect a fair amount of frustration from this song. I don’t think that feeling is invalid just because JTE died. I lost an estranged friend to drugs and ultimately suicide a number of years ago and I have some really complicated feelings about it and yes, anger and frustration is one of them.

Look, I get it, hearing about JTE’s death is obviously painful for his family. I mean, of course it is. But we’re not talking about fun days of touring like New South Wales. The song is about someone dying, how it could have been the author, how the author isn’t sure why it wasn’t him instead, how he’s coping with their estrangement (“it’s not up to me to forgive you…now you’ll never need to look me in the eye”).

Justin’s death reminds me a lot of how Jason Molina died. There was an extensive story written about his final years that was gut-wrenching. You could see the end coming like one of the trains he used to write about. He tried to get clean, friends tried to help him, family loved him no matter what, but man, addiction is a mother fucker. Molina, apparently, died penny-less and only had his grandmother’s number in his cell phone. I can only imagine how his family would have felt reading that story. But that story needed to be told. In a similar way, Jason probably felt like his story needed to be told. Is that narcissistic? I dunno? The dude is a writer and he can only write about his experiences.

As an anecdote, the first time I ever saw Amanda Shires play live was when she was in a three piece band with Justin and Brynn Davies in Lynchburg, Virginia. To this day it was still one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. Like it or not, Justin and the now former Isbell/Shires families were deeply intertwined for a long time. They were all self-destructive in their own ways for a long time. It’s almost something someone should write about sometime. Might be an interesting story.

…i can understand that justin townes earle’s untimely death got jason isbell to remember a friendship that sadly became estranged and trying to deal with it his way. at the same time i can also understand the grieve and distress the result – a rather graphic piece of musical art – causes with jenn marie earle and her little daughter. she is clearly intitled to raise the issue but jason isbell was also intitled to express his feelings the way he believed was appropriate, frankly, i felt more uncomfortable with the tribute album of jte’s father. then again, that was his way of coming to terms with his son’s death.

the elephant in the room is not isbell’s song – it’s the family’s failiure to prevent a not unlikely tragic outcome that has been looming for a long time. this is, however, a lot easier said than done, when it comes to heavy drug addiction. it just happens that isbell knows exactly what he’s singing about through his own experience and what strong support can achieve. perhaps, it’s that what makes the song so hard to bear for jte’s widow.

I interviewed Isbell in London in January and asked him about this song. He chose his words carefully when answering and didn’t mention JTE by name – it’s interesting how he talks about how difficult the song was to write. The relevant section of the interview is about 24minutes in https://soundcloud.com/ricardoleadieri/leaders-american-pie-5-feb-2024-the-one-with-jason-isbell

Thanks for sharing.

Jason Isbell being an asshole? I’m shocked!

I wonder if JTE asked his father if it was OK to write and record “Mama’s Eyes.”

“Mama’s Eyes” is specifically mentioned in this interview, originally published by the NYTimes, with Steve Earle. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/steve-earle-on-his-son-justin-townes-earle-i-ve-never-loved-anything-in-this-world-more-than-him-1.4449768

Boring dad rocker Isbell is up his own ass all the time. For him, empathy and understanding is a concept, not a reality. Just like his politics.

Turns out he’s just a dick.

First time I heard it I thought it was a good song. Catchy tune. Loved the reference to Rexs Blues and Ft Worth Blues… didn’t know any backstory. Now i know the backstory and the Ft Worth Blues nailed it. Great song. Many layers. And now getting a Jeanene VZ vibe.

One can sympathize with JTE’s family’s feelings towards this and also wholeheartedly believe that Isbell has just as much a right to express his grief using the form, language, thoughts and feelings he is experiencing to do so without apprehension.

I believe Isbell was speaking from the perspective of a songwriter/craftsman in that interview which can come off as vapid or cold when considering the subject matter and real life people depicted. But that perspective is the responsibility listener’s have placed on him so it’s different than simply having a candid conversation about loss.

You can’t tell art what to be, you can’t tell grief how to feel and if you expect either to be expressed or withheld bc of unintended reactions you risk insincerity. Which defeats the purpose of expressing either.

At the end of the day, it’s all gonna hurt anyway

I think there are two separate issues when it comes to this matter. The first is the song itself, and the second is Jason Isbell’s actions before and after the song was released.

Similarly, there are two separate perspectives on this matter. The first is from folks who glean that Justin Townes Earle’s widow is mad about the song, and the second is the people who take the time to read her statement, and watch the video to understand that it’s not just about the song, but Isbell’s behavior subsequently.

I think most everyone believes that Jason Isbell has a right to write a song about whatever he wants to, and I think any objective observation of the song would conclude that it is not actively callous towards Justin’s family, even if they also conclude after reading Jenn Marie’s perspective how it could be triggering to them due to how the details of Justin’s death are portrayed, especially if they are incorrect.

But if we are to believe Jenn Marie, it’s the fact that her emails and correspondences abut the song have gone unreturned, that Isbell did not attempt to make amends with Justin’s family after his death, and even though he knew Jenn was unhappy with the song, decided to push it as a single and make it a focal point of the “Weathervanes” release. This also seems to speak to a deeper pattern of behavior from Isbell to place himself and his interests above others, despite the continued characterizations in the press that present Isbell as morally superior in a way that he doesn’t appear to be living up to.

I know I am fighting an uphill battle trying to convey the double nature of this story and the nuance behind it. But I think it’s important to separate the song from the man when trying to understand this situation. When you have the widow of one of your old friends writing 12-paragraph dissertations and posting videos about what an asshole you are, there is probably an underlying reason. And in this case, it’s likely an underlying reason that could have been resolved before the situation got to this point.

I get it and I read, an empathize with her statements. But I don’t see it’s presence on the album, release or public performance as separate from the grieving process.

One of the main things an artist decides with their work, besides simply creating, is if or how to present it. This is just as much a part of expression as creating itself, imho. Especially when that work is the expression of one’s grief, it’s just as much a part of the grieving process.

If he communicated with them prior, during or asked for their blessing it almost absolutely would’ve had an effect on how he felt about the song itself, his ability/comfort level recording it, performing it live or even including it on the album at all. Maybe rewriting a line or two to suit real or perceived sensibilities rather than expressing it directly in his own words.. Especially since we know how brutally honest that verse is and the effect it’s had on the family.

If your role as an artist and songsmith is to use the tools, format, skills and trust given to you by your listeners to be as honest with them as possible, anything that may inhibits that path has to be set aside.

If your process for dealing with grief is through that process, then the process(up to and including performance and presentation) has to be prioritized… That may mean you’re going to look like an asshole and sound like one when you say it out loud in interviews. That may mean you are an asshole…

But I will say, when I heard that verse, I felt deeper for JTE’S family than I ever would’ve been able to had it not been expressed the way it was. It’s fucking brutal and I get it. But I’ve felt that same feeling around friends who left children and loved ones behind and I’ve known that sorrow for the berieved through the anger and guilt of a friend’s unnecessary passing, followed by guilt for feeling angry at them… That verse does exactly what art is supposed to do in revealing the harsh reality that is too difficult for someone without Isbell’s craft and perspective to put into words.

And a lot of people wouldn’t have experienced it if it had been influenced, altered, interrupted or not presented in the way it was featured to the public.

And now you know that Isbell called Steve Earle and “he gave his blessing”. Seems like that should be covered.

Oh, yes. You do.

Larry mentioned in one of his comments above that Jason got the ok from Steve Earle, with the caveat that Earle didn’t listen to the song before saying ok. Although I don’t know how Larry would know if Earle listened to it or not.

I’m seeing that now.

I have been talking to folks this morning and clarifying details on this story. My understanding is that Steve did approve Isbell recording a tribute song to Justin, but it’s unlikely he actually heard the song itself. Either way, it’s not Steve Earle’s take on the song that is in question here, but Justin’s widow and her daughter. Nonetheless, it does appear Isbell did make an effort to reach out to Steve at the least.

This was the comment from Larry Maynard in question, which has since been deleted. It was in response to one I wrote about Steve Earle, so I copied it from my inbox notification. It seems as newsworthy as any of his other comments here, and points to a lot more going on behind the scenes in the Earle family.

“Jason called Steve and he gave Jason his blessing without ever even listening to the song. Steve’s a one hit wonder and like Jason is all about his ego and trying to make money. I could give a shit if you ever listen to Justin songs ever again if you’re a fan of Steve’s your probably an ex drug addict and very old.”

(Joke’s on him: I’m 38 and an active marijuana addict.)

There is an update to this story coming where this particular point on Steve Earle’s involvement is clarified. Jenn Marie’s father reached out and requested certain comments of his be deleted.

Many of Larry Maynard’s comments, particularly those regarding Steve Earle, have been deleted after being up all weekend. Why? Why does he get preferred treatment no other commenters receive?

Anyone can reach out and request their comments be deleted. If deleting someone’s comments does not inadvertently delete other people’s comments nested under then in a conversation, those requests will be honored if possible. As I told them, deleting comments doesn’t always erase what was said. Sometimes it can exacerbate the concern.

At this point, the issue of Steve Earle approving the song is moot. In the updated story on the matter, Jenn Marie Earle says directly that Steve Earle approved Jason Isbell recording the song, though she believes Steve Earle had not heard it yet, and was simply approving the idea. She also states that Steve told her about her concerns with the song, “drop it.”

JI is an unhappy person whose “art” is intended to make other people unhappy. I don’t like is songs and think the hype about him is overblown

To me, this entire controversy is caused by the human condition of estrangement. Estrangement can do as much damage to people as addiction. Maybe Jason wrote When We Were Close, to try and resolve his own estrangement with his fromer friend. Estrangement hurts more than the people directly involved. I simple heads up to the family, also estranged, could have gone a long way to healing. Both Jason’s and Justin’s songwriting speak to the human condition with an emotion and understanding that not just anyone can articulate. Being a songwriter myself, I know how difficult it is to discard a really clever phrase, line, rhyme, etc.. I believe Jason is gifted enough to let go of a verse that does not serve the spirit of a tribute. Reaching out to Jenn, aknowledging and her concerns, could serve the resolution of past estrangement.

I’d like to view the entire interview with JI that was referenced in the article. Could you post a link? Thanks…

I have been looking for video of the entire interview to no avail. If/when I find it, I will link to it in the article.

You can find the video portion Jenn Marie references here:

The entire interview can be seen here at about the 6 hour mark. It’s from a seminar stream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taPQcTQJyuU

Thanks for the effort, I appreciate it. Good luck…

In January 2022, Trigger and I went back and forth with me defending Jason. I may have been wrong. Put aside the artistic license versus sensitivity to JT’s family debate for a second – did you catch how completely full of shit JI sounded in that clip? He thinks he has the power to create victims out of thin air if he’s a little more eloquent and sensitive in his lyrics about JT’s death? And that the concern for these imaginary victims that he’ll create outweighs what the pain he acknowledges will be felt by actual victims – JT’s family? And he NEVER responds privately to the widow? Lordy. He’s lost much over the last couple of years: Amanda, Jimbo, empathy, and any shred of humility. If he loses his sobriety, it will be the least shocking news ever because sobriety is unsustainable with empathy and humility – as I know from experience. I’ll be hoping JI finds his way back from whatever self-made desert he’s wondering in now.

Firstly would you really play a six year old this song and tell them it was about their father ? Its a dubious parenting decision in the first place. Justin isnt actually mentioned in the song by name and neither is the daughter so even if it is about JTE it doesnt specifically tell you that Jenn’s put that in his child’s head.

The song doesnt even have a nastiness in it, its a song of a lost friendship and the regret that Jason made it through but his friend didnt . He isnt singing about how great it is that his friend died hes lamenting the loss and proclaiming how lucky he was to come through. Its raw but thats art for you.

Its doubtful that Sara Dylan played a 6 year old Jakob Blood on the tracks and then went hey and this is about your parents divorce.

Jason will get slagged off whatever he does on here anyway, the song will be a heck of a lot easier for Justin’s daughter to hear it when shes actually old enough to understand it at 6 you definately arent . And the subject matter and sense of loss of a good friend might help other people beat their addictions so its a good thing.

Granted its more controversial than Save the world off the same album I mean every sane american would want strict gun control brought in thats not controversial at all. Its more controversial every time theres a mass shooting in America and the lame president offers an apology but does absolutely nothing about it . And Jason gets slagged off for being political then but then there should have been laws brought in years ago .

@Desolation I’d say you are correct. There is no way that a 6-year-old could have been hurt by the song “When We Were Close” unless and adult–presumably Jenn Marie–played it for her and “explained” to her why she “should” be hurt by it.

If a 6-year-old had somehow managed to play this song on her own, she would not be able to understand it and she would have no way to connect the song to her father or her mother or herself.

Forget 6–I challenge anyone to play the recording to a 12-year-old and then ask him what he understood about the song. I’m sure the answer would be nothing. And then you could try giving him the lyric sheet. The answer would probably be close to the same.

Perhaps Jason Isbell should have made contact with Jenn Marie before releasing the song, but at this point, I can fully understand why he would not let himself be dragged into this toxic swamp.

“When We Were Close” is about Justin Townes Earle. Nobody is disputing this.

No, Justin nor his daughter are mentioned by name, but…

I saw a picture of you laughing with your child And I hope she will remember how you smiled But she probably wasn’t old enough, the night somebody sold your stuff That left you on the bathroom tiles

…definitely makes reference to Justin’s daughter, and as Justin’s widow says, is an incorrect portrayal of how Justin was found.

I agree this song is not “nasty.” It was meant to be a tribute, and a way for Isbell to process through his survivor’s guilt. But that lyric was very triggering to Earle’s widow, and it seems like Isbell could have handled this situation better.

That wasn’t the point. The point is that while we all understand who the song is in reference to, there’s no chance a six year old would piece that together by themselves, regardless of how precocious they are.

Not going to get in a semantic argument here, but Desolation clearly stated, “even if it is about JTE,” so the subject of the song was being called into question.

As for playing it for a six year old, I don’t know that I would play that song for any six year old, especially if that six year old was referenced in the song. I can’t really speak to how that happened, but Jenn Marie brings this up specifically in her video. I’m guessing the implication here is that she is either embellishing to lay it on Isbell harder, or she should have shielded her child from the song. Perhaps that’s the case. But the song exists, it’s probably safe to assume that at some point Justin’s daughter will interact with it, and Jenn Marie is doing what most all mothers do, which is to protect their children.

LOL it wouldnt be obvious to a six year old Trigger unless someone had planted the idea in her head , and thats as questionable as Justin recording the song! Makes them as bad as each other really.

Trigger is obsessed with Jason Isbell. That this is a publication called “saving country music” and Isbell doesn’t consider himself a country artist, or really make what would be considered classic country music means his obsession runs deep. Maybe Trigger should go cry on his Trump pillow and wait for the latest guilty verdict.

You’re completely right William Rick. I am pretty obsessed with Jason Isbell. That why I named his song “King of Oklahoma” my 2023 Song of the Year, and called his last album “Weathervanes” the best overall album of 2023.

I find it interesting that so many folks make these moments about me, when this was all instigated by the grieving widow of Justin Townes Earle. I saw a guy post this on Twitter, and I think it’s a really great take on the matter:

https://twitter.com/BenGardner87/status/1779261692880331024

“Idea that is too difficult for some cultists to understand: when Justin Townes Earle’s widow puts out a statement sharing the anguish that she and her child are experiencing as a result of a Jason Isbell song about JTE, one can simply opt not to defend Isbell and argue with her. I admire Jason Isbell a lot. I am a believer in art being honest even when painful and inconvenient. But the man is not God. He is not beyond reproach. And arguing with JTE’s widow as she shares her pain is a WILD decision.”

Interesting how your article about the grieving widow has a headline that starts with “Jason Isbell.” I know. Journalism is hard. But you knew what you were doing, Clickbaiter.

This article is about Jason Isbell writing a song that the widow of Justin Townes Earle is criticizing. That is the title of the article. That is what the article is about. Therefore, it is not “clickbait.”

There are legitimate reasons to question the assertions of Jenn Marie Earle, which you can see up and down this comments section. I would suggest following that line of criticism and debate instead of whatever spitwading you’re trying to do here.

She is obviously still in a lot of pain and fiercely grieving, and I have all the compassion in the world for her. She and her daughter have a tough row to hoe.

That said, I don’t particularly understand her expectations. She wasn’t part of JTE’s life when he and JI were tight, and her connection to the song’s narrative is only through the mention of the child as an anchor point for its perspective. Her shock, hurt, and trauma are legit – it’s a sad damn story, and she undoubtedly feels excluded from even the worst memories of JTE’s life before she and Etta were part of it. She’s struggling and has shit to say, and she needs to say it. She’s got her truth to share without a giant platform.

Relatedly, after a dear friend died an addiction-related death some time ago, his widower struggled with friends sharing of necessary memories from “before his time.” He still avoids some gatherings, because it’s hard for him to connect with people he either barely or didn’t know or those with regrettable estrangement from years ago who are still in the larger social group.

If she had no prior relationship with Jason Isbell before now, I can’t wrap my mind around all this drama over a perceived sleight. My understanding is that Jason reached out to Steve Earle before he laid down that track, which, given the history and the song’s referential lyrics, was exactly what he should’ve done.I

I have no doubt that JI can be a giant douche, but this ain’t it. If she needs to villainous him to get better. He’s evidently OK with that. His karma, not mine.

I hope Jen gets the support and guidance she and Etta need to successfully process and navigate their grief in healthy, functional, effective ways. I hope that in time J.T.’s memory becomes a more comfortable place for those who loved him.

I think the key thing here is that most people don’t have a problem with Jason writing or even releasing the song, but in doing so without having the grace to address Justin’s widow even after she reached out to him to let him know how the song was affecting her family cuts againt the grain of Jason’s image of “radical empathy” and “progressive savior”.

Steve Earle may be famous, but he’s been married like 6 times and was an self-admittedly terrible dad to Justin. I hardly think he gets to be the arbiter of how this matter should be handled.

You’ve got some of the most focused and spot on comments out of all this. 100% agree. Izzys got a real optics problem going here, it makes him look bad. He loses in the court of public opinion. Though somehow, I suspect given the nature of his rabid fan- base and an overly- fawning media, he will be just fine. He took a calculated risk on how he handled this, and came to the conclusion that ultimately no lasting harm will come from the song or his sanctimonious response. I am though, curious how telling 25 to 45% of your fanbase to take a hike, ultimately puts you ahead in any measurable way. Can you imagine Willie Nelson ever talking to his fans the way Izzy does?

If Jason was on the side of the road with a flat tire, it would be really hard for me to stop and help. It appears this guy can’t help but cause pain in other people’s lives.

i bet he has roadside assistance thru his insurance.

Sometimes the best songs are never played.

Isbell is an insufferable prick, but as an artist he has the right to deal with his former friend’s death and grieve the way he wishes (which Trigger has said). I think it’s insensitive the way he has acted toward Justin’s widow, but Isbell has never come across as a good guy, so it’s not surprising.

Isbell stating that he doesn’t want those who disagree with his holy opinions listening to his music is just silly. He’s a good songwriter, but he doesn’t come across as very smart. One day when he realizes he doesn’t know everything, he might actually learn a thing or two.

The division is so great in the world now. People don’t seem to understand that it’s not left vs. right; that’s what the powerbrokers and politicians want us to believe. They love for us to be hating each other, because if both sides ever came together things would really change for the better.

Isbell is easily one of the best songwriters alive. He also speaks his mind and has a lot of political enemies and angered the mainstream “country” establishment.

I don’t know what happened between Earle and Isbell and I wouldn’t take anyone’s word on it. The whole thing seems personal and not newsworthy.

The key takeaway for me is the song was written based on memories while the complaint is focused on legacy. Those two things don’t always align.

“Before Isbell’s career started to take off”

This is absolute nonsense. Isbell was a huge deal ages before Justin Townes Earle was ever a thing. There’s no “riding the coattails here.” Earle was a nepo baby whose father was beloved by the Americana and Country industries. He owes all of his fame and success towards being literally born into the industry. Isbell, meanwhile, worked his way there and achieved fame and success much earlier.

The indie world loved him and he was seen as a hotshot young guitarist and songwriter when he joined Drive By Truckers at just 20 years old. He released numerous Billboard 200 charting albums in his tenure with the band. They hit the top 50.

“Earle inviting Isbell to play guitar for him during his debut on The Late Show with David Letterman”

Yeah and? In 2004 Isbell was on NBC with the Truckers leading them in Conan with the camera dead focused win him for nearly the entire song while he signs and plays. This is years before Earle was ever the lead on a major network performance.

By the time Earle released his debut album in 2008 Isbell had released two albums with Drive By Truckers, and his debut solo album the year prior.

Seems like a strange bone to pick here. There is a big difference between being a member of a band that was well-established before you joined and then getting kicked out, and starting a solo career. I think Jason Isbell would even agree that when he launched his solo career, Justin Townes Earle was more established and successful as a solo artist. Traci Thomas who managed both of them at the same time would definitely agree. I don’t know anyone in the industry who wouldn’t.

What? Isbell literally had a solo career and debut solo album out before Earle had ever released an album. What are you even talking about.

Isbell – Sirens of the Ditch – 2007 Justin – The Good Life – 2008

Isbell’s album had 15 professionally published review up with Metacritic. A year later Justin’s album had 9 reviews.

Isbell was clearly a higher established act.

You don’t know anyone in the industry who wouldn’t argue that an artist without a single release to his name is a bigger act than an artist someone who’s been in major network television, has been on multiple billboard charting albums, and already has an established solo career and music out? You’re absolutely bonkers.

Also Bowflex, this is a line from the song in question, “When We Were Close.”

“But you played so heavy, and you always let me sing a couple Even though you were the star”

So even in Isbell’s song, he’s admitting early on that Justin was the star after he left the Truckers.

@Trig– More than that, what it shows is that Isbell’s song is a SALUTE and TRIBUTE tribute to Justin Townes Earle, meant to burnish his reputation–not cut him down.

And it makes the whole premise of this thread–and the increasingly nasty and irrational rants from the self-appointed protoector of the JTE family and legacy–bogus.

Look, I reviewed the song when it was first released, and thought it was a great, touching tribute to Justin Townes Earle, while also being a way for Isbell to resolve his survivor’s guilt. That said, now that I have seen Jenn Marie Earle’s perspective, I can understand how the way that one line in the song was written could come across as triggering and callous. But moreover, it has been Isbell’s indifference to the issue that made the situation boil over where after 10 months, Jenn Marie decided to take her grievance public.

I have an updated article forthcoming on this where a lot of these details and misconceptions about this story will hopefully be clarified.

Stories about real people are – have always been – altered, edited, jazzed-up or -down, embellished, fictionalized, and doctored in books, movies, theatrical pieces, songs, and “told stories” for a lot of reasons, sometimes with the involvement and input of family/loved ones and sometimes not. Doing it is part of the creative process for many artists. The thought-provoking work of author Emma ClIne comes to mind:

https://www.newyorker.com/books/this-week-in-fiction/emma-cline-06-08-20

I’m trying to not be a c*nt about this, but Jen Marie was married to a creative person for years, so I am gobsmacked that she’s so wrecked about this song right now. If Etta was THAT traumatized, why did she wait ten months before taking action?

You and I both know she’s realized that Amanda Shires gets to single-parent *her* little girl on a Leiper’s Fork estate with fat child support checks and parenting assistance from Jason Isbell. The money Etta gets from Steve Earle’s “J.T.” tribute album goes into a trust, so it probably doesn’t have a daily impact on Jen’s ability to put groceries in the fridge and has in the tank.

Life hasn’t treated her fairly, and she *is* a victim, but not of Jason Isbell or even Justin Townes Earle. She’s a victim of addiction and tremendously tragic circumstances, and now she has the responsibility of raising a little girl all by herself. If internet warrior Larry Maynard really is her father and if no friend tried to help her with that 12-paragraph missive, she’s got bigger problems than “When We Were Close.”

I hope she finds a way to meet her family’s needs and, like I’ve said before, get the help she needs to be healthy and find peace and resolution as she moves through the grieving process with her little girl.

Jenn Marie Earle did not wait ten months to address this. From my understanding, Jenn Marie has been trying to address it for ten months privately to no avail. When she saw a recent interview with Isbell talking about the song and the “victims” it creates, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and she decided to go public with her concerns. That is why the first thing she did was post a video of Isbell talking about the song, and then explained in her statement how that became the last straw.

I can verify that this concern goes back ten months because that is when I was alerted to in via a comment on my album review for Isbell’s “Weathervanes” that I’ve linked to numerous times in this comments section. Just like Jenn Marie, at that time I determined it was a private matter, and I wouldn’t broach it publicly unless someone else did first.

We all understand that the creative process gives artists the latitude to change facts, embellish or emphasize certain things, or leave other things out. Jenn Marie has said herself that this is not about trying to limit Jason Isbell’s creativity. It’s about delivering a callous line that she believes was unnecessary, and hurt herself and her young daughter. And instead of communicating with them, apologizing, or even acknowledging the issue, Isbell ghosted them.

Isbell isn’t admitting anything. These song lyrics are fictional. This isn’t an interview. In your own article you’re literally writing about how Isbell gets the facts wrong (allegedly) in the lyrics to this song if it really is about Justin.

Nevermind, you’re right. “When We Were Close” is a fictional song, not about Justin Townes Earle. I apologize for wasting your time.

Jason sure know how to bring it out in people, don’t he?

so you mean to tell me that the same guy who said he is trying to eliminate people from his audience that don’t like his online activity wrote an insensitive song that made a little girl cry. he’s a great song writer and an even greater POS

I think the article lacked some scrutiny. If I had to steel man the Isbell absolutists, there was little digging into claims made by Jenn Marie Earle, a few to note: JI opened shows with the song – Not every single one…. Pushed as single – one of the few sub 4 min songs. Some parts are untrue – what parts? Jenn called JI and JTE enemies – why is she playing her husbands enemy’s music to her child. Didn’t consult the Earle family – JI reached out Steve. What other reasons might someone post a 12-paragraph post – money? – sounds like JTE left some debts behind.

Typically you add the note if saying SCM has reached out for details etc, and anticipate readers questions. Based on the largely unhinged comment section, there seems to be much more going on, and while you can’t cover it everything, it does make me look forward to a follow up piece from SCM.

Ultimately I think this read as another smoking to Jason isbellls continued assholery, sort of a gotcha moment. I agree with pretty much all your points on the divisiveness he brings, but I didn’t see the usual depth of scrutiny you put to all sides.

Hey GRunner,

Thanks for the feedback.

So first off, please understand that I have been sitting on this story for 10 months. I did reach out to Jenn Marie Earle and others for comment, and received no response. Perhaps one of the reasons for that is I reached out via Twitter, and I’m not sure if Jenn Marie is operating that account anymore. Either way, if it was up to me, I would have gotten comments from Jenn Marie, Steve Earle or others in the Earle family, as well as reached out to Jason Isbell’s camp for clarification or comment, and published the story. I agree, that would have been the best way to handle this, so that all the facts could be vetted, arguments steel manned, and sources cited.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. After biting her lip about this issue for 10 months, Jenn Marie Earle decided to take to social media and address the situation directly after seeing an interview where she believe Isbell characterized her and her daughter as the necessary “victims” of Isbell needing to get “When We Were Close” out to the public to hopefully spare other “victims.” This was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Jenn Marie Earle is not an artist, or a publicist, or a journalist. I agree that the manner in which she broached this subject could have been better, and that certain things she states are perhaps embellished or need further clarification. But she is a civilian. She is also the bereaved widow of Justin Townes Earle who believes she needs to protect her daughter from the characterizations in the song, which also from a factual standpoint are false (the tile floor).

As is patently obvious from many of the comments on this issue both here and on social media, there is a cohort of individuals commenting on this subject that simply did not read Jenn Marie’s 12-paragraph statement, or watch her video. Instead, they simply heard that she takes issue with the song, and are commenting on that. As I have been trying to underscore, reading what she wrote, and seeing what she said is critical to understanding this situation. It’s not just about the song, but Isbell’s actions before and after. As I have said numerous times, a thoughtful email, text message, or phone call probably would have avoided this private matter going public, even if it didn’t resolve it.

Since Jenn Marie Earle posted such a lengthy statement and video, I decided to center my coverage around her words, while contextualizing them into the greater behavior pattern of Isbell, as well as the way the media approaches everything that involves Isbell.

Jenn Marie Earle posted her statement and video midday Friday. It is now midday Monday. It was plausible to say that the media was off for the weekend, and would not cover it until the next week. Now it is patently clear that he media will not cover this issue at all. This is INSANE. This is a massive news story. If people don’t like my coverage of it, okay. But where are the other stories about it? The fact that there is complete silence about it speaks to two things: The complicity of the media to cover up anything that may cast Isbell in a negative light regardless of the relevancy to the public, as well as the environment of fear Isbell fans have created around Isbell where if you say anything critical they will come after you with ad hominem attacks upon your character. THIS is why the media is refusing to cover a story that is fiercely relevant to the music community. They see what’s happening to Saving Country Music. And it doesn’t matter how I reported on the story. The fact that I reported on the story at all is the biggest problem.

Though some are characterizing the final paragraphs of this story as a tangent, the fact that there is not even one single other story about this matter, even a simple news story or even one defending Isbell, is the reason those final paragraphs needed to be said. I am not perfect, and neither is this article. But at least it exists.

FYI, since posting this comment, Whiskey Riff, and now Rolling Stone have posted articles about the matter.

Appreciate the all extra details and background. Your interactions in the comments section of the site always add more context to an article is one of the most valuable parts of SCM.

I think this is a rare moment that I will take up for ol’ Isbell. It’s a song. It’s his coping. It’s his art. And why does the child know about the song? Yes, songs are powerful. I know a woman that can’t listen to “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” b/c of the way her parents separated. I’d feel different if this were a book/movie deal saying this is what how it all went down.

I usually enjoy reading SCM but this article and the commentary aren’t making anyone in this situation look good. It’s really depressing actually.

Many things can be true at the same time. The one that’s jumping out at me is that survivor’s guilt and grief is complicated and painful for all parties except for the one who made the choices that led to them not surviving.

Dear Ms. Earle, First, my deepest condolences to yourself and your daughter for your loss. And I am sorry Mr. Isbel’s song (which I have to say I like) has caused you pain. But may I say that when he said the thing about there being fewer victims if he wrote it, the victims I took it to mean were your husband and the far too many like him (including my brother) who have been lost to the scourge of fentanyl being sold as something else. If you do not see it that way, I understand – but I have wonder whether my brother, had he heard it, might not have left his grandsons too young for them to remember him, and his granddaughter never to meet him.

Again, I am so sorry for your (and the world’s) loss, and know that you are in the thoughts of those of us who, alas, understand completely.

When I first read this article and Ms. Earle’s statement, I was incredibly sympathetic to the Earle family’s position. Though I was more understanding of the fact that JI didn’t initially reach out (I mean, it’s not like there’s an Emily Post guide as to whether/how you should approach the family of your estranged friend in this situation), silence when a grieving widow reaches out, seemed, at the least, a bit heartless.

That said, and while my heart still aches for their loss, the social media response (which has included liking/elevating comments that the song shouldn’t exist), coupled with the comments in this section from those connected (or claiming to be) with the Earle family such as “He owes Jenn Marie and her daughter a very serious apology, if not royalties” and that “he should spread the wealth”, collectively make me see why JI might have been wary of reaching out. He probably should have anyway.

He’s stated (albeit in an incredibly pompous fashion) that this song has/will save lives. That, anecdotally, appears to be true: there’s a poster in the Jason Isbell sub-reddit who stated that the very visceral lines that pain the Earle family inspired him to get sober after his own daughter had found him passed out. One of the responses to the JTE social media post was from another parent, who stated that the song had helped her maintain her sobriety for her children’s sake (she respectfully acknowledged that this didn’t negate in any way the understandable anguish the Earle family feels hearing the song).

Since he feels like it’s important that the song is out there to help save lives, I’d also love to see a donation from the proceeds to a charity/charities that combat addiction and/or assist their families. That would be a tangible way to help save lives through this song.

As to Trigger’s apt point that it’s unfair for JI to receive media coverage for his radical empathy, I mean, yes, it’s hard to understand how any reporter can write that with a straight face, given his abrasive online persona alone. Love his music, agree with him on many, though not all, things, but it strikes me as poor reporting to celebrate him for something he often fails to demonstrate.

I continue to hope that the Earle family can find peace and healing; addiction is a monstrous disease that has broken too many of our collective hearts.

Humans experience grief differently, but there is no escape from the enormity of the process. I am saddened by the fact that JTE is no longer alive. But my grief is from a fan’s perspective. Grief experienced by those that had profound friendships or intimate relationships is way different. We cannot assume their feelings. Just respect them. A song was written by a songwriter. Was his intention one of catharsis for an old friend whom he lost. Is it guilt because it should have been him? Did he write the song to intentionally hurt specific people? The song has caused pain and heartache to JTE’s intimate family. Does he owe them an apology or a head’s up? I’m no therapist but I know my grief, my grief from a shocking death of my brother. It was too soon, it was unnecessary, it shouldn’t have happened…I was angry. It’s one of the inescapable emotions of grief. I believe Jason is entitled to his grief (and his song), I also believe JTE’s wife is entitled to her grief. The rest of us should stay out of it.

You are missing the point. It isn’t about the song and isn’t about him grieving. His lack of empathy for JTE’s family is bothering folks, including me. If Jason weren’t so prone to grandstanding, it would be expected. However, seeing him show a complete lack of empathy towards JTE’s family goes against his songs, words, and everything I thought he stood for. My thoughts of him as a person have changed tremendously between the documentary and this situation. To me, it’s clear he’s an egotistical asshole who cares solely about himself. I don’t show empathy to folks who are selfish. Doesn’t mean his music isn’t great but it does make it less authentic.

Wait, you mean to tell me Amanda’s single now!?

Hold my calls.

Love him or hate him, you can’t argue that he doesn’t move the needle. Look at all those comments.

Jason Isbell is an amazing songwriter.

Jason Isbell is a detestable, self-important, arrogant, hypocritical asshole.

It would be a nice gesture if Jason Isbell would give Jenn Marie Earle a call to try to clear the air.

Jason Usbell has no obligation to the Earle family.

Jenn Marie Earle has a right to feel offended by the song.

Jenn Marie Earle has the right to make whatever parenting decisions she feels are best for her six-year-old daughter.

If Jenn Marie Earle’s six-year-old daughter is crying over this song, it is 100% the fault of Jenn Marie Earle..

All of these can be true at the same time.

Russia’s TVEL announces managerial changes

!{Model.Description}

Rosatom' TVEL Fuel Company on 3 August said managers had been replaced at three enterprises. The new leaders will head the enterprises of the machine-building cluster of the Vladimir region - the Kovrov Mechanical Plant (KMZ), the Vladimir Tochmash and Mashinostroitelny Zavod (MSZ) in Elektrostal, Moscow Region.

Anatoly Gavrikov, who previously headed KMZ has been appointed General Director of Tochmash. Gavrikov has been working in the industry for over 15 years and has worked his way up from a leading process engineer of the design and technological department to head KMZ.

Roman Vladimirov, who previously held the position of Deputy General Director for Production at Tochmash, has become the new head of KMZ/ He has worked in the industry for over 20 years and began his career at Tochmash as a design engineer.

Dmitry Bagdatiev, who had headed Tochmash since 2017, was appointed General Director of MSZ. Under his direct supervision, a sectoral project was implemented to concentrate the production of KMZ and Tochmash at the industrial site in Kovrov. Igor Dar'in, who previously headed MSZ, will continue to work at the enterprise as Deputy General Director.

TVEL President Natalya Nikipelova, introducing the new managers, noted that they are facing large-scale tasks, in particular preparation an increase in the production of gas centrifuges at KMZ, further development and increase in the volume of special-purpose products at Tochmash, as well as the rebalancing of the production at MSZ "due to the increase in the volume of products”.

Terms and conditions
Privacy Policy
Newsletter sign up
Digital Edition
Editorial Standards

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

With marty stuart and the fabulous superlatives, jason isbell and the 400 unit, marty stuart and his fabulous superlatives, important health update.

Attention fans!

There are updated health and safety requirements to attend the Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit show at The Andrew J Brady Music Center on Friday, December 11, 2021. With the number of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta Variant, ALL ATTENDEES of this event must be FULLY VACCINATED against COVID-19 .

In attending the event you certify and attest that you and all individuals in your party attending the event will follow the below regulations:

• All fans 16 years and older must be vaccinated against COVID-19 (at least two weeks after final dose, no later than November 26 ) at the time of the event and provide proof of vaccination - either the original vaccination card, a digital copy, or a printed copy of the vaccination card with an appropriate ID matching the name on your documentation. Negative PCR or Antigen test results will not be accepted for entry.

• Patrons under 16 will be required to wear a mask.

• Patrons with a medical exception will be asked to provide a note from a doctor.

PLEASE NOTE:

• These terms will apply to all members of your party before they are allowed to enter the event and to any users of the tickets purchased by you

Concert Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE JASON ISBELL CONCERT

Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives will begin at 8:00pm and Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit will close the show.
There are 3 points of entry at The Andrew J Brady Music Center: Mehring Way, the Parking Garage, and Race Street. For a venue map, CLICK HERE .
The Andrew J Brady Music Center is accessible via the Central Riverfront Garage and is within walking distance to several parking lots and the Cincinnati Bell Connector. For Directions and Parking, CLICK HERE .
For your convenience, The Andrew J Brady Music Center concession areas accept cash, credit cards OR use the Rooam App for fast, contactless payment. Click here for Rooam's mobile website to enter your information and start a tab! Each time you go to a concession stand just give the bartender your tab number and at the end of the night you can close out your tab from your phone and add a tip for the stellar service! Please note, there is a $1.00 fee for using Rooam.
If you have Mobile ticket(s), make sure to download your ticket(s) prior to arriving at the venue. To download your mobile ticket(s) to your phone, go to "My Events" in the Ticketmaster App and select "Add To Wallet" (on iPhone) or "Save To Phone" (on Android).

One of the most respected and celebrated songwriters of his generation, Jason Isbell and his band The 400 Unit will return to Cincinnati this December to perform back to back headline shows at the new Andrew J Brady Music Center on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11. Both nights will feature support by special guests Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives .

JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT

What happens after an artist has achieved his dreams? That was the major question Jason Isbell was asking himself leading up to the creation of his newest album, Reunions , recorded with the 400 Unit and produced by celebrated producer Dave Cobb. After all, four-time Grammy winner Isbell is at the top of his game. He is widely acclaimed as one of our best songwriters and possesses a devoted audience who have pushed his last two albums to the tops of the charts.

“Success is a very nice problem to have but I think ‘how do I get through it and not lose what made me good in the first place?’” he says. “A lot of these songs and the overall concept of this album is how do I progress as an artist and a human being and still keep that same hunger that I had when I wasn’t quite so far along in either respect.”

Isbell’s solution: to go back in time with his hard-gained knowledge. The result is a seamless collection of ten new songs that delve into relationships with lovers, friends, children, parents, and one’s self. There are rousing anthems that will have stadiums singing along, lyrical standouts that highlight some of Isbell’s best writing to date, moving looks at youth and childhood, a deep dive into the challenges of relationships, and deeply personal songs about alcoholism and parenthood. All of them offer us an artist at the height of his powers and a band fully charged with creativity and confidence.

MARTY STUART AND THE FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES

Marty Stuart is a five-time GRAMMY-winner, platinum recording artist, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Americana Music Association, Grand Ole Opry star, country music archivist, photographer, musician, and songwriter. Since starting out singing gospel as a child, Stuart has spent over four decades celebrating American roots music. His teenage years on tour with bluegrass legend Lester Flatt in the ’70s were followed by six years in Johnny Cash’s band in the ’80s, and a chart-topping tenure as a solo artist in the ’90s.

Recently, The Country Music Association announced the induction of Marty Stuart into the Country Music Hall of Fame’s class of 2020 in the Modern Era Artist category. Stuart is inducted alongside Dean Dillon (Songwriter Category) and Hank Williams Jr. (Veterans Era Artist). “It is the ultimate honor in Country Music,” says Stuart. “I’m so honored to be included in this class and I’m honored to be included alongside Hank Jr. and Dean Dillon. I love those people. To be officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame is beyond words. I’m usually not at a loss for words.”

When it comes to transforming country songs into tangible experience, Stuart has a secret weapon: the Fabulous Superlatives. Made up of guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry Stinson and new member, bassist Chris Scruggs, the Superlatives are an extension of Stuart himself.

“The Superlatives are missionaries, they’re fighting partners. They’re my Buckaroos, my Tennessee Three, my Strangers. They’re my legacy band and have been since Day One,” says Stuart.

Ticket Information

Click here to view ticket prices.

While supplies last. Tickets are subject to price increase based on demand, applicable taxes and Ticketmaster fees. All events rain or shine. Dates, times and artists subject to change without notice. Limit 8 tickets per person.

Please note that Artist VIP packages do not include access to venue amenities including the CityView Lounge.

All guests entering the venue are subject to a metal-detector screening, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by The Andrew J Brady Music Center security personnel. The purpose of the inspection is to detect prohibited items and is for the safety of our guests and our staff.

More Concerts

Orville peck - stampede tour, with special guests durand jones and debbii dawson, this event is mobile only. tickets will not be sold at the box office..

Get Concert Updates

This is a past concert

This concert occurred on Saturday December 11, 2021 .

Moscow Metro Tour

Page active

Description

Moscow metro private tours.

2-hour tour $87: 10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
3-hour tour $137: 20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off.
Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
Have fun time with a very friendly local;
+ Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

Drop-off at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
+ Russian lunch in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

Every day each car in Moscow metro passes more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Moscow subway system is the 5th in the intensity of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is 90 seconds .

What you get:

+ A friend in Moscow.
+ Private & customized Moscow tour.
+ An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
+ An authentic experience of local life.
+ Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
+ Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
+ A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
+ Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
+ Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

IMAGES

jason-isbell-2021-tour-dates
Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell reveal summer 2021 North American
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Expand 2021 Tour
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Taps Lucinda Williams for Summer 2021
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Announce Rescheduled 2021 Tour Dates
Jason Isbell

COMMENTS

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
A 10th anniversary, newly remastered version of Isbell's now classic album "Southeastern" is available now. Complete with original demos, a live performance of Southeastern from December 2022 at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, TN, and a lyric booklet containing scans of Jason's original handwritten lyrics and liner notes from Charles Hughes.
Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams Announce 2021 Tour
Here are Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 's 2021 summer tour dates: July 19, 2021 — Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre. July 20 — Seattle @ Paramount Theatre. July 23 — San Francisco @ The ...
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Tickets
Hitting the road in summer 2022, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are dialed in and sure to deliver a powerful performance, so make sure to get your tickets soon. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Live in Concert. Jason Isbell was born into a musical family in Green Hill, Alabama, in 1979.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Expand 2021 Tour
By Andy Kahn May 18, 2021 • 11:53 am PDT. Photo by Steve Rose. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit added several tour dates to their 2021 schedule. The confirmed new shows will take place in August ...
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Announce Rescheduled 2021 Tour Dates
Photo: Ron Valle; from 10/22/19. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit have announced a preliminary set of rescheduled 2021 tour dates. The Americana outfit was set to hit the road in May in promotion of ...
Jason Isbell and Lucinda Williams Schedule 2021 Summer Tour
Check out the full list of 2021 dates below: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and Lucinda Williams 2021 Tour Dates: July 19 — Vancouver, BC - Orpheum Theatre. July 20 — Seattle, WA - Paramount ...
Lucinda Williams & Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Announce 2021 Tour
In a songwriter's dream double-header, Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit will team up for a run of dates next summer across the West Coast and Southwest U.S. The 15-date run kicks off in Vancouver on July 19 and wraps up with a pair of shows at Austin City Limits Live on Aug. 7 & 8. Williams recently released her raucous new ...
The Met Philadelphia
Unvaccinated fans under 12 years of age will be required to take a COVID-19 diagnostic test within 48-hours before entry to the facility and will provide printed proof of negative result prior to entering the venue. Purchase Tickets. Door Time: 6:30 pm. Event Time: 8:00 pm.
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
One of the most respected and celebrated songwriters of his generation, Jason Isbell and his band The 400 Unit will return to Cincinnati this December to perform back to back headline shows at the new Andrew J Brady Music Center on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11. Both nights will feature support by special guests Marty Stuart and ...
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit Announce 2021 Tour Dates w/ Lucinda
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit 2021 Tour Dates. 7/19 — Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre 7/20 — Seattle @ Paramount Theatre 7/23 — San Francisco @ The Warfield 7/24 — San Francisco @ The Warfield
Jason Isbell injects The Met with lyrical, lively rock and roll
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jason Isbell and his band, the 400 Unit, shine at Philadelphia theater ... Sep 16, 2021. Jason Isbell (center) and the four-piece 400 Unit (featuring bassist Jimbo Hart and drummer Chad Gamble) in action Sept. 15 at The Met in Philadelphia. ... Isbell's North American tour continues Sept. 17 with a show at the ...
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Are Going On Tour In 2021
Check out Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit's upcoming tour dates with Williams below, and revisit our recent interview with Isbell here. 07/19/2021 — Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre. 07/20/2021 ...
Live at Red Rocks
Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8/ 1 / 2021 by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, released 26 April 2022 1. Intro 2. Overseas 3. 24 Frames 4. Hope The High Road 5. Something More Than Free 6. Dreamsicle 7. It Gets Easier 8. Outfit 9. Elephant 10. The Life You Chose 11. Last Of My Kind 12. Only Children 13. Stockholm 14. Cover Me Up 15.
Lucinda Williams And Jason Isbell Announce Summer 2021 Tour
Scroll down to view tour dates. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit Lucinda Williams' official website . Lucinda Williams' 2021 dates with Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit are as ...
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Find information on all of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2023-2024. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 15 concerts across 1 country in 2023-2024.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
AEG Presents is thrilled to announce JASON ISBELL and the 400 UNIT live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sunday, August 1st, 2021.. Download the Red Rocks app before your visit. From digital ticketing with touchless entry, mobile ordering with express beverage pickup, park and venue maps, visitor tips, original Red Rocks content and more, the official Red Rocks app has everything you need for an ...
Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell Announce 2021 Tour
June 10, 2020. Lucinda Williams, December 2019 (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images) Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have announced a 2021 summer tour with Lucinda Williams. The dates will take them across ...
Jason Isbell Criticized by Justin Townes Earle's Widow for Song
Ever since the release of Jason Isbell's Grammy award-winning 2023 album Weathervanes, there have been concerns swirling around the song "When We Were Close" that was written as a de facto "tribute" to fellow songwriter Justin Townes Earle.The son of Steve Earle and a critically-acclaimed songwriter himself, Justin Townes Earle died on August 23rd by what the family first revealed as ...
Open Highway Music Festival pausing in 2024, vows to return
The popular St. Louis area festival, last held at Chesterfield Amphitheater in 2023 with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Blackberry Smoke, is pulling itself off the summer concert calendar and ...
"Metallurgical Plant "Electrostal" JSC
Round table 2021. "Electrostal" Metallurgical plant" JSC has a number of remarkable time-tested traditions. One of them is holding an annual meeting with customers and partners in an extеnded format in order to build development pathways together, resolve pressing tasks and better understand each other. Although the digital age ...
Russia's TVEL announces managerial changes
5 August 2021 . Print Email . Rosatom' TVEL Fuel Company on 3 August said managers had been replaced at three enterprises. The new leaders will head the enterprises of the machine-building cluster of the Vladimir region - the Kovrov Mechanical Plant (KMZ), the Vladimir Tochmash and Mashinostroitelny Zavod (MSZ) in Elektrostal, Moscow Region. ...
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
Attention fans! There are updated health and safety requirements to attend the Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit show at The Andrew J Brady Music Center on Friday, December 11, 2021. With the number of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta Variant, ALL ATTENDEES of this event must be FULLY VACCINATED against COVID-19. In attending the event you certify ...
Rosatom State Atomiс Energy Corporation ROSATOM global leader in
The refueling at BN-800 is scheduled for January, 2021. The BN-800 reactor was initially launched with a hybrid core, partially loaded with uranium fuel produced by Elemash, TVEL's fabrication facility in Elektrostal (Moscow region), and partially with experimental MOX fuel bundles manufactured at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors in ...
Moscow Metro Tour with Friendly Local Guides
2-hour tour $87: 10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off. 3-hour tour $137: 20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams Announce 2021 Tour

Joseph Hudak

Meet Laundry Day, the Funniest Band on Your ‘For You’ Page

Clara Bow's Family Calls Taylor Swift Song a 'Testament' to Actress' 'Legacy'

Taylor Swift, Drake, Hozier, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week

Pink Files Legal Action Against Pharrell Williams Over Musician's Proposed P.Inc. Trademark

Taylor Swift Producers Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner Celebrate 'Tortured Poets' Release

Most Popular

Verify it's you

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Announce Rescheduled 2021 Tour Dates

Jason Isbell and Lucinda Williams Schedule 2021 Summer Tour

Show 6 Comments

Rainydayman

Note: It may take a moment for your post to appear

Most Popular

Join us on Social

Lucinda Williams & Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Announce 2021 Tour Dates

GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016

Looking for more GRAMMYs news? The 2024 GRAMMY nominations are here!

'Decoration Day' At 20: How Drive-By Truckers Dialed Back The Satire And Opened Their Hearts

On 'Weathervanes,' Jason Isbell Accepts His Internal Pressures And Fears

15 Must-Hear New Albums Out This Month: Janelle Monáe, King Krule, Killer Mike & More

Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

Juan Wauters - Wandering Rebel

Bob Dylan - Shadow Kingdom

Rancid - Tomorrow Never Comes

The Aces - I’ve Loved You For So Long

Janelle Monáe - The Age of Pleasure

Amaarae - Fountain Baby

Jayda G - Guy

King Krule - Space Heavy

Killer Mike - Michael

Home Is Where - the whaler

Kim Petras - Feed the Beast

Lunice - OPEN

Maisie Peters - The Good Witch

Lucinda Williams - Stories From a Rock n Roll Heart

Showtime Redefined

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit w/ Kathleen Edwards

Door Time: 6:30 pm

Everything You Need to Know

Premium Experiences

Parking & Travel

Book The Venue For Your Private Event

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit Announce 2021 Tour Dates w/ Lucinda Williams

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit 2021 Tour Dates

Related Posts

Watch Jason Isbell Chat with Trevor Noah & Perform With Amanda Shires on The Daily Show

Boston Calling 2020 Lineup: Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers & More

Dead & Company Announce ‘Dead Forever’ Residency at The Sphere

WATCH: What Phish Sounds Like to People That Don’t Like Phish

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password

Add New Playlist

Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8​/​​​1​​​/​​​2021

Digital Album Streaming + Download

discography

contact / help

Songwriting Legend Linda Perry On Working With Ringo Starr

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Nearest concert to you

Upcoming concerts (74) See all

Similar artists with upcoming concerts

Live reviews

Photos (18)

Posters (59)

Past concerts

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit tour dates and tickets 2024-2025 near you

Similar artists

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell Announce 2021 Tour

Jason Isbell Criticized by Justin Townes Earle’s Widow for Song

271 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Russia’s TVEL announces managerial changes

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

Concert Information

Ticket Information

More Concerts

Get Concert Updates

Live at Red Rocks - Morrison, CO - 8/1/2021