The Journals is a tribute album in the most authentic sense. On it, Sammy Brue pays homage to Justin Townes Earle by fleshing out or totally re-imagining the late singer/songwriter’s unfinished work. “Lord, I’m Ready Now” is the first single from the LP, available January 23 via Bloodshot. That same month sees the release of What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome, an authorized biography of Earle by Jonathan Bernstein.
“I proudly wrote this song with Justin’s journals,” says the Utah-based Brue. “I knew I needed a folk song that teetered on gospel themes. To me, gospel folk songs shed light on the unseen and unknown. Death is a touchy subject for anybody, but this song is an attempt to line the subject with a positive light.”
Now in his 20s, Brue bears more than a passing resemblance to Earle. He’s been writing his own songs since he was 10, the music press proclaiming him a troubadour prodigy in the spirit of Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Earle (whom he considers a mentor). Over the years, he’s shared stages with Sierra Ferrell, Billy Strings, Lucinda Williams, John Moreland, Hayes Carll and others.
A few years after Earle’s death, Brue wrote the song “For Justin” and sent it to his wife, Jenn Marie Earle, who liked it so much she handed over her husband’s journals to Brue for archiving. That soon snowballed into a posthumous co-writing scenario sanctioned by the family.
“Justin lived a life that was filled to the brim with light and darkness,” says Brue. “When I take a good look at what he left behind, I have no doubt he’d want me to take away something positive from it—which is the side I’ve taken.”
We’re proud to premiere Sammy Brue’s “Lord, I’m Ready Now.”
—Hobart Rowland
