This book examines the life and music of Steve Earle one of the most important and controversial singer-songwriters of our time. Through in-depth interviews with family members producers musicians and with Earle himself this volume traces Steve's journey from southeast Texas to his debut No. 1 country album EGuitar TownE and his descent into drug addiction and on to his triumphant comeback with ETrain a-Comin'E and his subsequent challenging projects with co-producer Ray Kennedy. Rosanne Cash Rodney Crowell Peter Rowan and Norman Blake are among the artists who offer insights into Earle's music.