I am really grateful to my fans for sticking by me

Jan 25 2008 By Tony Collins

AMERICAN singer-songwriter Steve Earle is enjoying something of a golden time.

A new wife - his sixth - a new home in the heart of New York, but, above all, just feeling grateful to be alive.

The folk and country singer, renowned for his great Tennessee-soaked vocals, is a reformed alcoholic who also spent several months in prison on drug-related charges in 1994.

And, as he prepares to perform at Birmingham Town Hall on Tuesday , he recalls: "I have never lost sight of the fact that I am still here and doing what I love doing.

"I did everything but kill myself in the past.

"I couldn't realise why I was so f***ed up. It embarrassed me but I did survive it and I am really grateful to my fans for sticking by me."

Steve, who had his 53rd birthday at the start of his UK tour on January 17, is still not quite sure why he turned to drugs and booze.

"If I used it for anything it was to deal with long aeroplane rides.

"I understand that people do it to get away from pressures of career, but I think addicts just drink or do drugs.

"I have seen it insidiously take its toll on people, but surviving it has certainly made me stronger."

Although Steve, who spent most of his life in Nashville before moving to the Big Apple two years ago, stopped drinking in the 80s, he still has to go to meetings and call his sponsor.

"I quit drinking partly because beer in the States sucked anyway. England and Ireland were the hardest places to go because the beer is so good over there."

Steve, who was back in Nashville producing a Joan Baez record when I caught up with him, is happily settled with new bride, fellow singersongwriter Allison Moorer.

The two both performed at this summer's Cambridge Folk Festival and will be touring the UK together.

"We have been working things out so we can tour together for the rest of our lives. She'll be opening my shows in the UK and I will be doing a bit with her.

"I left Nashville because I didn't want to be in the same recording studio that I spent the last 13 years in. But there was another reason for moving to New York.

"We both have history in Nashville. We now live in one of the liveliest cities without any baggage."