For the past several years, American Songwriter has presented a concert series at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, Alabama. The venue, located in the Oakleigh Garden District in downtown Mobile, offers music fans the chance to hear some of the nation’s best singer-songwriters in a stripped-down, intimate setting. Past performers include Alabama Shakes, Caitlin Rose, Tristen, Pokey LaFarge, Andrew Combs, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Rayland Baxter, Jonny Fritz, and Justin Townes Earle, among many others.
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Earle is a perennial favorite at Callaghan’s, having first played there eight years ago, with Cory Younts (Old Crow Medicine Show) pulling duty as his sideman.
“Justin first played in front of about 25 curious folks,” said Callaghan’s owner John Thompson. “I think the Yuma EP was the only thing he had recorded then. He was unknown here but everyone knew he was Steve’s kid. We all left amazed, as it was one hell of a show. And we had a blast, Justin and Cory included. Everyone agreed they would now never miss a JTE show but it probably wouldn’t be at Callaghan’s because he was going to be a big deal soon.
“Well, we were right about that, it wasn’t long before Justin blew up. But fortunately for us, Justin likes this place and instead of playing the big music hall across town, he plays Callaghan’s. He has played about 20 shows here in the last eight years and he always puts on a great show.”
Watch Earle’s September 2015 show at Callaghan’s below (the second of a two-night stand), which features tunes off his most recent albums Single Mothers and Absent Fathers, nuggets from his back catalog, a rendition of Billy Joe Shaver’s “Georgia On A Fast Train,” and the requisite LIghtnin’ Hopkins cover. Video by Shane Rice.
