Saturday, May 24
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE

Music critics like to get philosophical and proclaim it a “mixed blessing” for a performer to arrive on the scene with a serious pedigree. Why? What artist wouldn’t want his early efforts championed in the press as he travels to distant towns where an interested and supportive crowd is likely to gather to check him out? Name recognition is a priceless calling card. The image of the talented offspring, struggling to step into the light from the long shadow cast by a famous parent is an irresistible cliché these days. So when you read about Justin Townes Earle, son of rebel country and rock songwriter Steve Earle, releasing a record and touring around, you gotta wonder: What’s in a name? This Earle also carries the moniker “Townes” around, after Townes Van Zandt, the great Texas songwriter who was an idol and mentor to his daddy. Both great songwriters, sure, but you would also be hard-pressed to identify two namesakes with more addictive personalities. It’s a pleasant surprise, then, when you learn the boy really has talent, and that at the age of 25 he’s already passed through his share of substance abuse suffering and is getting down to making some real good music, as evidenced by his first full-length release on the Bloodshot label, The Good Life. The title track proves JT Earle’s roots run deeper than most of his peer group, invoking the full-blown classic honky-tonk style of a performer like Lefty Frizzell, yet he’s just as much at home accompanying himself on guitar with a finger-picking style reminiscent of his namesake Van Zandt. Come out and judge for yourself if it’s all just in the genes.

—buck quigley

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk Street

(855-3931/mohawkplace.com).