Trying to Make Sense of the Short Life of Justin Townes Earle (Book Review)

In “What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome,” author Jonathan Berstein recounts the life, music, and struggles of singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle who died in 2020 at the age of 38.

In What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome, Jonathan Bernstein traces the life of Justin Townes Earle. The book offers no easy answers for how Earle created great music or how he came to die alone in Nashville at age 38 on August 20, 2020 through an accidental overdose from cocaine laced with fentany. But Bernstein importantly leaves us with a portrait of a troubled man that provides further insight into his musical legacy.

While Bernstein makes no attempts to tie together all of the strands of Earle’s life and music, he provides the reader with a detailed description of Earle’s ups and downs and his music. While he does not delve deep into the recording or writing process, his interviews with others helps bring some insight into the influences and life experiences that helped form the too-short record of a musical life.

The book traces Justin Townes Earle‘s life from childhood through his early musical associations through his solo career and through his struggles with addiction.

Three Themes Running Through the Book

Fathers and Sons. The themes running through the book include Earle’s troubled relationship with his father, musical legend Steve Earle, as well as the son’s devotion to his mother Carol Ann Hunter Earle. Bernstein tries to present an objective perspective of the father-son dynamic, noting it was more complicated than the son often described, with the father — who declined to be interviewed for the book — attempting to play a larger role in the son’s life after the father became sober. But the parental relationships, and Justin’s perception of them, played a large role in his music (which include albums entitled “Single Mothers” and “Absent Fathers”) and in his life choices. Bernstein recounts how near the end of Earle’s life, he sometimes broke down while performing songs like “Mama’s Eyes,” which begins “I am my father’s son. . . .”

Addiction. Another theme running through the book is Justin Townes Earle’s struggles with addiction to alcohol and drugs. Bernstein does a good job of recognizing the story in the context of music history, recognizing “the Myth” believed by many that great music only comes out of addiction and trauma. Although I knew of Earle’s addictions, the book surprised me with the reporting of the persistence of them, so much that the repetition of the problems make you wish you could reach out to Earle. I was surprised to learn that his accidental death was not the result of a short relapse but a long continuing spiral, perhaps a little aided by the isolation during those early days of the Covid pandemic. The addictions often helped make him difficult toward others, such as an eventual break with one-time friend Jason Isbell. But at the same time, as recounted by Steve Earle’s ex-wife Allison Moorer, he was loved and lovable.

The Artist. The third major theme in the book is his ability to make wonderful music through it all, from before he started releasing records, through his debut EP Yuma in 2007 through the eighth and final album released in his lifetime, The Saint of Lost Causes, released in May 2019. Bernstein explains how his music career had its own ups and downs, with the reception of some albums being a disappointment. Near the end of his life, in addition to all his other challenges, he faced what felt like declining relevancy. He found his albums released after 2012 were surpassed in popularity by newer “Americana” artists building upon some of the foundations Earle helped create with his earlier albums.

No Clear Answers

Bernstein recognizes that a person is made up of more than the parts of their lives, and he makes no attempt to tie everything together in a nice bow at the end. But the portrait allows the reader to see the themes and connections, such as the fact that despite the complicated father-son dynamic, Justin Townes Earle’s first recording, the outstanding “Time You Waste,” was released as an extra track on his father’s 2003 album, Just An American Boy.

One may still wonder about Earle’s life and wonder why he was so troubled. It is normal to want more answers. A biographer can never really know everything about a subject. How can one truly know another’s heart and their thoughts? And unless someone is filmed 24/7 since the day they were born, we only know what they and others choose to tell us.

For example, near the end of the book, Bernstein recounts Earle telling an audience about problems in his childhood, includng that he was “abused.” We know that Earle often exagerated his life story, but up to that point, we had not heard that word in the book. Was Earle making it up or just referring to his issues about being abandoned by his father? Or was he referring to something that we might not know about? We can only wonder based on what we know about Earle.

Anyone interested in the music of Justin Townes Earle will be interested in this authorized biography and learn a lot about the singer-songwriter. But, like me, some readers may not find the book an extremely enjoyable read, learning that one of their favorite artists faced so many demons and made so many bad choices.

And it is even sadder to think about all we lost with Earle’s future. Bernstein recounts some of the ideas Earle was considering around the time of his death, such as producing a documentary about John Prine and perhaps finally doing an album with his father.

Then again, I think over time, getting through the sadness presented in the book will make me appreciate Earle’s music that much more. He created such light while facing such darkness in his own life.

What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome: The Authorized Biography of Justin Townes Earle is available at your local bookstore and at Amazon. Note: I “read” this book by listening to the Audible version read by John Pirhalla, who does a great job giving voice to the story.

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A Vietnam Movie About the Continuing Effects of the War: “The Last Full Measure” (Missed Movies)

The 2019 film “The Last Full Measure” failed to be a box office hit, but if you are looking for a lesser known film about the after effects of the Vietnam War featuring some of America’s great actors, check out this movie. You might enjoy it if your expectations are not too high.

In light of the fact that The Last Full Measure (2019) grossed only $3 million versus a $20 million budget, most people probably have not seen this film, making it s a movie you might have missed. Should you check it out?

There are some reasons the movie did not attract a large audience. When the film was released, it already was about a war that took place nearly fifty years earlier. The director Todd Robinson was not well known, and at times the production might seem like a TV movie rather than a feature film, with the starring role by a lesser known actor at the time, Sebastian Stan. While featuring some battle scenes, the movie is not really an action story about a battle, and viewers will already know who lived and died at the beginning. Further, the generic title of the film probably did not attract many viewers. Using an Abraham Lincoln quote from The Gettysburg Address that evokes the Civil War only confuses a potential viewer and tells them nothing about what the movie is about. Such a title could be slapped on any war movie (and is also the title of an earlier book about Vietnam). Finally, one reason that reviews were mixed might be that the title and the image on the poster seem to promise a movie set during a fight, most of the film takes place in Washington, D.C., years after the war has ended.

But The Last Full Measure, which took nearly 20 years to make from inception to final editing, is worth your time for two main reasons: First it is a rare film about the aftermath effects of war, doing for the Vietnam War in some ways what The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) did for World War II. Second, it features a number of great performances by many great actors. Even though they come and go, and most of them do not appear together for most of the film, there are wonderful appearances by Christopher Plumber, Peter Fonda, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Lane, Amy Madigan, and John Savage (whose appearance near the end connects the film back to one of the early great Vietnam War films, The Deer Hunter (1978)).

The Last Full Measure is based on a true story of the campaign to get a Medal of Honor for William H. Pitsenbarger, a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman during the Vietnam War. The film includes flashbacks to the battle where Pitsenbarger heroically saved many men. But the majority of the movie is set around the year 2000 where a Washington, D.C. official (Sebastian Stan) is assigned to investigate whether Pitsenbarger should get the Medal of Honor.

While much of the movie, including Pitsenbarger’s heroics, are true, many of the characters are fictionalized to varying degrees. The official’s story is very loosely based upon a real person and many of the vets are fictionalized versions of the veterans who worked to get Pitsenbarger the medal. But those differences do not take away from what the movie is really about. (For more on a comparison of the movie with the true story, check out this article from History vs. Hollywood.)

And what is the movie really about? It is about the effects of war on the survivors, beautifully portrayed by some great actors. I do not want to ruin the film for anyone who has not seen it, but only to suggest you give it a try. Is it a great war movie? No. But if you go in with modest expectations to see a movie about the effects of war on those touched by it, you might be pleasantly surprised that this movie you may never have heard of is a pretty good movie that you missed. You’ll see why so many great actors were attracted to these roles showing characters we rarely have seen on screen.

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RIP: A Brief Encounter with Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard, who died on July 29, 2026, created a beautiful body of music and film, as the author remembers a brief encounter with the artist.

Almost two decades ago, my future wife and I made our first trip to Ireland, a place where we each had ancestors. As part of my preparation, I rewatched the recent movie Once (2007), starring Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová as two struggling musicians in Dublin. Although Hansard, born April 21, 1970, was already known by many for his work with The Frames, like many in the U.S., I first fully discovered him from Once (although had seen his work in movie The Commitments previously). From Once, a sweet love story with a beautiful ending, he won an Oscar for the song “Falling Slowly,” which he wrote with Markéta Irglová, his co-star and Swell Season partner.

Anyway, as we boarded our airplane to Ireland from New York City, who ended up next to me in line but Glen Hansard, waiting to board with a guitar on his back. I made a brief joke about hoping he was being treated well, and we exchanged brief pleasantries. It was a brief encounter, but a nice one, and started off making the trip a little extra special. I last saw him at the airport in Dublin near the baggage claim, walking through the airport with his guitar on his back, much like he looked the last time we see him in Once.

That brings us to the sad news this morning that Hansard died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin early this morning, July 29, 2026, at the age of 56. He leaves behind his wife, a young child, friends, family, and many fans. His distinctive voice lost to us, but his music (and film work) will live on.

In addition to his wonderful original work, Hansard was known also as a great interpreter (including some great Springsteen covers) and duet partner. Even after he became famous, he was often caught busking on the streets of Dublin.

He seemed to truly love music and brought that joy to his listeners. Below he sings Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” with Irglová.

“Yeah, when that fog horn blows / I will be coming home.” RIP.

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Margo Price Meets the Moment Through Woody Guthrie’s “Deportee” (With Help From Joan Baez and Memphis Mariachi)

Margo Price’s new EP “Days of Unrest” includes several timely protest songs, including Woody Guthrie’s “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos).”

Margo Price has released a 9-track EP entitled Days of Unrest, featuring five timely covers of protest songs as well as three original instrumentals as well as Price’s song “Can’t Stand Still.” The protest songs include the Mexican folk song “De Colores,” Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm,” Blaze Foley’s “Oval Room,” and Woody Guthrie’s “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos).” On the Guthrie song, Joan Baez joins Price and the Memphis Mariachi.

We previously have written about how Guthrie was inspired to write “Deportee” by a 1948 plane crash that killed 28 undocumented immigrants. In the case of the album, Price sings “Deportee” as part of a statement about our current times and treatment of immigrants in the U.S. These are songs have meant a lot to her for a long time (such as playing “Deportee” at Farm Aid 40), as her embrace of protest music is not something new for Price.

Margo Price recently explained to Salon about her choice to include “Deportee,” a song she has been singing for some time, on Days of Unrest: “[I]t needs to be sung and we cannot look away from what is happening right now. We cannot act like this is normal. I mean, I think a lot of people think that I’m radical because I’m talking about this stuff. But I think 20-30 years from now, we’re going to say, ‘Why are more people not concerned about the way that folks are being treated right now. It’s inhumane.”

Check out Price’s cover of “Deportee” with Joan Baez in the official lyric video, which includes current events.

Part of the proceeds from sales of Days of Unrest will go to The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, which helps immigrants facing detention and deportation. The members of Memphis Mariachi are José Patiño, Eniel Pineda, Alejandro Quijano, Martín Granados, José Pérez, and Juan Viamontes.

Days of Unrest is available at Amazon and other locations. Leave your two cents in the comments.

Remembering the Bicentennial Minute During the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

Those that remember the American Bicentennial in 1976 recall a national celebration that contrasts sharply with the America of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. But for those of us old enough to remember the United States celebration of the 200th anniversary in 1976, the current semiquincentennial celebration seems to pale in comparison to the 1976 Bicentennial.

In 1976, you could not escape hearing about the Bicentennial. In 2026, most of what we hear about the 250th celebration seems related to controversy and cancellations rather than celebrations. There are books about the American Bicentennial celebration on Amazon (and that is not counting things like Bicentennial cookbooks published in many communities in 1976). I don’t think there are many, if any, 250th celebration cookbooks, and it is hard to imagine a very long book for future generations to read about our current efforts to celebrate.

Why Did the Bicentennial Feel Different From America’s 250th Birthday?

What happened to our celebration? There are a number of reasons one may point to for the disappointment with the current anniversary, including the divisions on social media and other forms of entertainment that all make it more difficult for uniting Americans around anything. Maybe we lost something about our connections to our communities that fifty years ago did much of the 1976 planning. Also, it is easier to say “Bicentennial” than “Semiquincentennial,” so how do you celebrate something you can’t remember the name of?

Some argue that the government failed to plan properly. Or maybe the current White House resident hijacked the holiday to make it more about himself, making the Semiquincentennial partisan versus the more (but not completely) bipartisan Bicentennial.

So, instead of celebrating, for many, the this year’s anniversary is more for acknowledging the faults of the country and thinking of ways to heal. For many, they will have their barbeques and fireworks, but it will be just like any other Fourth of July.

Maybe 200 seems like a more important number than 250, or maybe people do not feel like celebrating. Yet,in 1976 we also also faced inflation, gas shortages, political scandals, and other issues but still found a way to reflect and party.

Maybe, a failure of commercialism is partly to blame. Whether good or bad, fewer media sources and less product access allowed companies in 1976 to create more focused marketing around the Bicentennial that continuously reminded us of the celebration. All of your favorite products, including soda and beer, included special versions labeled for the Bicentennial.

In our house, we bought Bicentennial medallions off television, giving them as gifts. I also remember drinking a lot of 7-Up to collect the Bicentennial cans, collecting a can representing each of the fifty states. When you stacked up the fifty cans they revealed an image of Uncle Sam.

Yes, today, you may buy 250 shirts and hats on Amazon or at your local store. I bought a shirt at Lowes. But anyone can make a shirt and sell it online these days. For better or worse, there is no official merchandise that any of us would recognize, in contrast to the well-recognized licensed Bicentennial symbol.

The Uniting Thread of the Bicentennial Minute

Finally, today’s more fractured entertainment universe means we do not have the daily reminders of the anniversary we had in 1976. In the mid-1970s, for more than a year, we watched the Bicentennial Minutes, remembered by most Baby Boomers and members of Generation Jones (like me). Every night on TV there was a favorite actor or personality who would tell us an important event that happened 200 years ago that night.

As July 4 and the Declaration signing approached, each episode reminded us of the approaching holiday. With no Netflix, no cell phones, no streaming options, and mostly just network TV, the Bicentennial Minutes were a communal event.

The Bicentennial Minutes ran for more than two years, beginning on July 4, 1974 and running through December 31, 1976. The last episode featured President Gerald R. Ford.

During that time, as a kid, I took out my blue tape recorder every night (audio only, we did not have VCRs in those days), waiting between CBS shows for a few minutes before 9pm. As the Bicentennial Minute started, I pushed the Record/Play button to record the audio off of the TV. We did not have the Internet so it was the only way to preserve the important history lessons we received every night on TV.

Here is actor Darren McGavin on April 2, 1976.

I don’t recall how many I recorded on my blue tape recorder. And I don’t know how often I ever listened to the audio cassette. I do not even remember what happened to those cassette tapes.

But creating the recordings seemed important to do at the time. It was an American thing to do.

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