‘American Treasure’: Steve Earle & The Dukes unfurl country-bred gems, charm in GR

The ‘Listening Lawn’ show in downtown Grand Rapids on an exquisite Wednesday night displayed Earle at his best. Plus, check out a recap of Five for Fighting with Grand Rapids Symphony at Meijer Gardens.

 

SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERIES FROM STEVE EARLE, FIVE FOR FIGHTING

Last October during a visit to New York City, I crammed into a new Brooklyn music venue – Brooklyn Made – with hundreds of other fans for a sold-out solo show by singer-songwriter and country rebel Steve Earle.

Initially a bit disappointed that his band, The Dukes, wouldn’t be joining him that night, I was quickly transfixed by Earle’s stories, anecdotes and a career-spanning set that unfurled songs ranging from his 1986 “Guitar Town” debut to his poignant 2021 “J.T.” tribute to the music of his late son, Justin Townes Earle.

As a guy-and-his-guitar kind of show, it stood out due to the enduring, superbly crafted songs that Earle has churned out year after year.

But make no mistake, Earle’s rock ’n’ roll heart – and country-bred soul – benefits from his musically muscular and accomplished backing band.

So the Listening Lawn debut of Steve Earle & The Dukes in downtown Grand Rapids on Wednesday – with The Whitmore Sisters opening – raised the musical bar, so to speak, with a full-band treatment of Earle’s catalog.

I asked my bandmate, pal and fellow Earle admirer Charley Honey to accompany me for Wednesday’s show outside Studio Park and trade insights on various facets of the show, from the songs chosen for the evening to the addition of the Dukes. (Full disclosure: Our band, The Honeytones, has actually hosted a Steve Earle tribute night in the past.)

JOHN: So what’s your impression of this opener? Their harmonies made me feel like I’m in the Appalachias on a warm summer night — even though Eleanor and her husband, Chris Masterson, are from L.A. these days. Definitely feeling the retro country flavor, and you can tell these sisters grew up singing together. And a Mellotron? How groovy is that?
CHARLEY: I love these women’s sound. Eleanor’s voice reminds me of Susanna Hoffs, a nice warm alto. Their close harmonies are spectacular. Tasteful guitar work from Chris Masterson. And yeah the Mellotron is a swell touch. These women sound like they’ve been singing together since they were in the womb.

JOHN: Now that Earle is on stage, it’s hard not to be awed by the instrumental prowess of The Dukes, not to mention their harmonies. He started with four Jerry Jeff Walker songs from his new “Jerry Jeff” tribute album. Fabulous twang. What’s your take?
CHARLEY: Yeah, they’ve got a tight-knit gritty MOJO. Duane Eddy is alive and well in Masterson’s guitar. Good to hear Earle’s ragged rasp is fully intact. “Someday” has lost nothing over the years.

JOHN: So the overcast skies and temperature are frankly perfect. And while I’ve been to lots of shows on this downtown piazza, this may be the first time I’ve sat through a full-fledged concert. It feels like a really intimate, audience-engaging affair. The mood may be the antithesis of “’I Ain’t Ever Satisfied,” which Earle just cranked out.
CHARLEY: Agreed. There’s a sweet coziness in this enclosed space, which lends to more warmth between Earle and us. Kind of like a theater in the round or, if I may, old Tiger Stadium.

JOHN: Such sweet fiddle and pedal steel solos.
CHARLEY: It’s that unbeatable combo of folk, country and rock that Earle does so well – with a good strong dose of Celtic (“Dixieland” and “The Galway Girl”) to keep our toes tapping.

JOHN: I’d love a little more banter and repartee because he’s so good at it, but he’s also got a massive inventory of songs to try to touch on in a single evening. I like his quip, “There’s been some traffic,” talking about all the women and wives in his life. I also loved his comment about “The Devil’s Right Hand” now becoming a gun-control song. Bravo.
CHARLEY: He knows his legend looms large when it comes to women. And he says, “I am not above re-purposing a song” (when it comes to tunes inspired by his various loves). Hilarious.

JOHN: Of course, Earle has WAY too many songs to hit every critical juncture in his career, but I’m OK with his set list tonight. Might have liked to see more stuff from “Exit 0” or “I Feel Alright.” But I love the rebellious, rockier stuff: “Fixin’ to Die” to end the main set was SO Earle.
CHARLEY: Who else can fit “Bojangles” and “Fixin to Die” into the same set?

JOHN: Speaking of “Fixin’ to Die,” that was one of my faves tonight, along with “Copperhead Road,” “Someday” and “Goodbye.” How about you?
CHARLEY: I second those emotions. Also, “Transcendental Blues” sent shivers up my spine, “Galway Girl” was irresistibly joyful, and ”You’re Still Standing There” was absolutely fine.

JOHN: I can’t say I’ve EVER been disappointed in a Steve Earle show. And the vibe and sound quality of this one may have been the best yet.
CHARLEY: I would rather he pulled out “Jerusalem” and “The Revolution Starts Now” than close with a couple of covers (Grateful Dead’s “Casey Jones” and The Band’s “Rag Mama Rag”).

JOHN: Ah, yes. I’m down with that. Nevertheless, a truly satisfying evening.
CHARLEY: He’s a true American treasure. As you say, there’s no one else like him.

PHOTO GALLERY: Steve Earle & The Dukes, The Whitmore Sisters at Studio Park
Photos by Anna Sink

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FIVE FOR FIGHTING WITH GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY AT MEIJER GARDENS

About seven miles away, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the musical offering was markedly different.

Meijer Gardens on Wednesday welcomed yet another sold-out show with singer-songwriter John Ondrasik — aka Five for Fighting — paired with a picture perfect and family friendly evening.

Ondrasik was accompanied by the Grand Rapids Symphony and regaled the crowd with his string-backed hits, including “100 Years,” “Chances” and even an a capella version of “Hope” backed only by the symphony.

The show had a few other surprises: Ondrasik had his social media manager and violin-playing band member Katie Kresek join as a soloist on one song; later in the show, he brought out his daughter, Oliva, for a duet of his song “Nobody” before getting everyone on their feet for the last song and encore of the evening.

Ondrasik again brought out Oliva and had everyone singing and clapping along to Don McLean’s “American Pie” to end the evening with everyone singing and clapping in unison together.

In all, the night was an emotional but rousing one with stories of the Ukrainian war, inspiration found in everyday items and conversations and song after song and hit after hit. – Sean Miller

PHOTO GALLERY: Five for Fighting w/ GR Symphony at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Sean Miller

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