Steve Earle Looks Back on "Copperhead Road"

Steve Earle Anniversary Steve Earle and the Dukes are celebrating the anniversary of the release of the album Copperhead Road, including a 30th Anniversary Tour. Uni Records released Earle’s third album on October 17, 1988.

Steve Earle made a conscious effort with the album to reach rock radio. And the songs rocked harder than Earle’s previous two excellent albums, Guitar Town (Remastered)(Bonus Track) (1985) and Exit O (1987).

You can hear Earle making a name for himself from the first chords on the opening and title track. “Copperhead Road” tells the story of a Vietnam vet returning home to grow marijuana.

Copperhead Road also featured one of the greatest songs ever written about guns, “The Devil’s Right Hand,” which was covered by Waylon Jennings.

George Stroumboulopoulos of The Strombo Show from CBC Radio 2 recently talked to Earle about the album. Check out the insightful interview where Earle recounts making the album and the music’s legacy.

What is your favorite song on Copperhead Road? It is hard for me to name one song, but I do love “Even When I’m Blue.” Leave your two cents in the comments.

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Once Upon a Time in a Far Off Land (Steve Earle’s “Nothing But a Child”)

Steve Earle & The Dukes Are Back: “So You Wannabe An Outlaw”

Steve Earle Takes On Confederate Flag in “Mississippi, It’s Time”

Nanci Griffith’s Superstars on Letterman: “Desperados Waiting for a Train”

I woke up this morning, and none of the news was good: Steve Earle’s “Jerusalem” (Song of the Day)

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