On Sunday (8/23) night, the awful news broke that singer/songwriter Justin Townes Earle (son of Steve Earle) had passed away at age 38. Justin’s music has had a profound impact on people over the years, including fellow musicians, many of whom have paid tribute. See tributes to Justin from Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Billy Bragg, Robyn Hitchcock, Frank Turner, The Decemberists’ Colin Meloy, The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, Kevin Morby, Courtney Marie Andrews, Amanda Shires, Lydia Loveless, Dylan LeBlanc, Jonny Fritz, The Head and the Heart, Hiss Golden Messenger, Stephen King, Ron Sexsmith, and more below…
Justin Townes Earle 1982-2020 pic.twitter.com/AzerqkUZa1
— Steve Earle (@SteveEarle) August 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/jasonisbell/status/1297710789726527489?s=21
sending love and condolences to Steve Earle and the entire family of Justin Townes Earle… he was always kind to me and he’s gone too soon
— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) August 24, 2020
I'm saddened to hear that we have lost Justin Townes Earle and at such a young age. I worked with him last year and found him to be a brilliant songwriter and generous soul. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) August 24, 2020
How terrible that the great Justin Townes Earle has died – what a merciless place America has become, that yet another finely-tuned talent has left this world altogether.
— Robyn Hitchcock (@RobynHitchcock) August 24, 2020
Sad news about Justin Townes Earle. We played a handful of shows together over the years. He was a week younger than me but always felt like an older soul. A kind guy and a wonderful songwriter. RIP.
— Frank Turner (@frankturner) August 24, 2020
That version of Graceland is unparalleled.
— colin meloy (@colinmeloy) August 24, 2020
Awful news. My heart is with his family, friends and fans. Always a pleasure playing shows with JTE and running into him over the years. Loved his songs. Rest in power. https://t.co/sqYjXjY5zZ
— Craig Finn (@steadycraig) August 24, 2020
Kevin Morby:
Rest In Peace, Justin Townes Earle. Only played a handful of shows with him, but his performances were always so inspiring. 💔
— Courtney Marie Andrews (@courtneymamusic) August 24, 2020
Jonny Fritz:
RIP Justin Townes Earle.
— Lydia Loveless (@lydia_loveless) August 24, 2020
RIP Justin Townes Earle. I enjoyed our plane ride to Philadelphia many years back. Thanks for the good conversation.
— Dylan LeBlanc (@dleblancmusic) August 24, 2020
RIP Justin Townes Earle…
We had the pleasure of playing a few shows together. He was such an immense songwriter and authentic soul. This year is a thief.
— The Head & The Heart (@headandtheheart) August 24, 2020
The name of Cocaine & Rhinestones comes from a conversation Justin Townes Earle and I had about old country music while on the set of an indie movie we did in Nashville 20 years ago.
— Tyler Mahan Coe (chaotic good) (@TylerMahanCoe) August 24, 2020
Good night, Justin Townes Earle. I opened for you once in Portland and then watched your whole show side stage, totally amazed. You were real.
— Hiss Golden Messenger (@hissgldnmssr) August 24, 2020
Delta Spirit:
Justin Townes Earle was such an incredible writer of narrative — stories that flourished beyond the music they were laid over. The people and places in his songs always felt so touchable to me. Sad to hear the news of his passing.
— Hanif Abdurraqib (@NifMuhammad) August 24, 2020
It appears that Justin Townes Earle has died. I hope it's a hoax but fear it is not. What a loss.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 24, 2020
This is what we lost. Give a listen.https://t.co/cCdYuEYnhp
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 24, 2020
Make. It. Stop.
RIP #JustinTownesEarle: Live on Letterman 2011: "Harlem River Blues": https://t.co/RpcJYlmNZC
— Kurt Loder (@kurt_loder) August 24, 2020
Damn. RIP. https://t.co/wt6DGj8Tez
— Riot Fest (@RiotFest) August 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/SammyBrue/status/1297700079684349952
RIP Justin Townes Earle…
We had the honor of having him play our stage. He was such an incredible songwriter and talented soul. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, and everyone who was touched by his music. 📸: @DinoPhoto pic.twitter.com/4QB28lT7B0— The Capitol Theatre 🐿 (@capitoltheatre) August 24, 2020
I am so saddened to learn that Justin Townes Earle has left the world. He was charismatic and wild and demanding, and he captured that trifecta in every song he wrote. Rest easy 💜 https://t.co/5sODPNhHdz
— e m m a s w i f t (@emmaswiftsings) August 24, 2020
RIP Justin Townes Earle. We played shows with him over the years and he was always wonderful. Heartbroken.
— eric slick (@ericslickmusic) August 24, 2020
1st my friend Ron from the Supersuckers, now Justin Townes Earle who I knew & played shows with…this is so sad. My heart breaks for Steve & the Earle family. ❤️🙏
— JESSE DAYTON (@jessedayton) August 24, 2020
My friend, Justin Townes Earle, has passed away. Such a tremendous songwriter…he took me on 2 tours and always treated me so kindly….he understood struggle, he understood joy…I saw him at the peaks and valleys of both through the 13 years I knew him…we will miss you JT ❤ pic.twitter.com/rq74Qu3Hif
— Samantha Crain (@sjcrain) August 24, 2020
Some of my best memories of Justin Townes Earle
1) upon finishing our first tour out with him in 2009, standing outside Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX saying our goodbyes, Justin hands me $400 (apart from our payout) and says "$100 for each of ya, I know it's hard out there"
— Samantha Crain (@sjcrain) August 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/HughAcheson/status/1297716894393421825
Somebody, somewhere is just learning about Justin Townes Earle tonight, and that person is going to look up his songs, and those songs will become part of that person's life.
— Pete Wells (@pete_wells) August 24, 2020
Justin Townes Earle’s music meant a great deal to me over the years. The Good Life, Midnight at the Movies, Harlem River Blues. I played those records over and over again. I’m terribly sad to hear of his passing. My heart goes out to all of his loved ones. May he rest in peace.
— John Gallagher, Jr. (@JohnGallagherJr) August 24, 2020
Rest In Peace Justin Townes Earle. The singer/songwriter has died at age 38. 💔
We had the pleasure of hosting an in-store performance with JTE at Amoeba Hollywood back in 2010 for the release of "Midnight At The Movies." pic.twitter.com/3baJm35Q7y
— Amoeba Music (@amoebamusic) August 24, 2020
Our condolences to the family, friends, fans and everyone in the orbit of Justin Townes Earle.
— Record Store Day (@recordstoreday) August 24, 2020
RIP Justin Townes Earle. 2020 is the worst 😭 pic.twitter.com/EjEH4332Rx
— Late Bloomer (@LateBloomerNC) August 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/RonSexsmith/status/1297935927994703872
We are saddened by the passing of Justin Townes Earle. Sending sincere condolences to his family, friends, and many fans. https://t.co/8mTNTwqoFn
— Joe’s Pub (@JoesPub) August 25, 2020
The #Teamsters Union sends condolences to @SteveEarle and the entire family of Justin Townes Earle – a talented musician and songwriter, gone too soon. https://t.co/7ui853Bxgx
— Teamsters (@Teamsters) August 24, 2020
Thank you for posting this @springsteen song Glory Days by #JustinTownesEarle Pure and simple. Painful loss. Love to all who loved him. https://t.co/42XY7wkUSb
— Nils Lofgren (@nilslofgren) August 24, 2020
We lost one of Americana’s most honest voices last night. Rest in peace Justin Townes Earle. pic.twitter.com/NsAyAmlWQ5
— Spotify (@Spotify) August 24, 2020
It is with a sadness I fear will take some time to settle into the concrete reality of loss, that we learn of the passing of our dear, dear friend Justin Townes Earle. [1/8] pic.twitter.com/moItG4bQyC
— Bloodshot Records (@BSHQ) August 24, 2020
A few Instagram stories from Amanda Shires:
