Justin Townes Earle had Americana in his blood. The son of alt-country godhead Steve Earle, the Tennessee native created his own rich legacy since 2007 by blending blues, country, and dashes of college rock with smart sonic touches, such as the uplifting gospel backing choir and keyboards on "Harlem River Blues" or the Stones-y sax on "Slippin' and Slidin'." His tastes were eclectic, as heard on his twangy, stripped-down cover of The Replacements' "Can't Hardly Wait" and the Hank Williams love note "Faded Valentine," and "Single Mothers" proved he had a knack for storytelling that empathized with the downtrodden.