You have to live what you write, or you have to know it. There are exceptions, like story songs, where you just have to have your facts straight. But I think you don't have to live a hard life to be a good or interesting songwriter.

Early life
Earle grew up in South Nashville Tennessee with his mother Carol Ann Hunter Earle. In 2007 he released a six-song EP called Yuma. In 2009 Earle co-billed The Big Surprise Tour with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Old Crow Medicine Show and The Felice Brothers[dead link] and released the album Midnight at the Movies.

Earle records with Bloodshot Records and has five released albums from 2007–2012. Justin Townes Earle (born January 4 1982) is an American singer-songwriter and musician.