Steve Earle picks up plaudits after Perth show

Dec 15 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

ALT-COUNTRY songsmith Steve Earle has capped a triumphant year with a Grammy award nomination.

The veteran rocker, who played at Perth Concert Hall last week, is among a clutch of hopefuls listed in the prestigious awards’ best contemporary folk album category.

The Recording Academy has nominated Earle’s latest effort, Townes, for the accolade.

Late singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt wrote all 15 tracks on the follow-up to Earle’s previous Grammy-winning album, Washington Square Serenade, which appeared two years ago.

He also landed a Grammy for his 2004 album, The Revolution Starts…Now.

After completing the UK leg of his European tour, bearded troubadour Earle is set to start a series of concert dates in North America on Friday.