Justin Townes Earle performs in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 15.
In 2012, he released his superb, fourth full-length album, "Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now." He has stepped further outside of his father Steve Earle’s large shadow by producing an album by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson this year, called "Unfinished Business." In a Tribune interview, Earle said he wanted the album to sound like a Wanda Jackson album as opposed to albums she had recorded over the 15 years when producers meddled too much. "I kneel down next to her," Earle said. "She was wonderful to work with." Earle’s own recent album features more soul, and he said it was a conscious decision, not wanting the new album to be "the same bulls___." He said the move towards the sound of Memphis follows the same trajectory of the blues and rock-and-roll, which started down in the South with just an acoustic guitar, and eventually evolved — just like him. Trixie Whitley opens
When • Saturday, Dec. 15, 9 p.m.
Where • The State Room, 638 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $30 at thestateroom.com
