Steve Earle on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Alt-country pioneer Steve Earle tragically lost his son, songwriter Justin Townes Earle, in August. This week, Steve Earle & The Dukes released J.T., an album featuring recreations of 10 of Justin’s songs as well as an original, to honor his life and career. Both heartfelt and heartbreaking, the tribute found Steve Earle on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night, where Earle brandished a mandolin and performed a rollicking rendition of “Harlem River Blues.” As if the concept isn’t emotional enough, at the song’s finale, Steve says, “see you when I get there, cowboy.”
The Avett Brothers on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Folk-rock staples The Avett Brothers celebrated the release of a new single with a performance on The Tonight Show. “I Go To My Heart” was released on the Avetts’ excellent The Third Gleam, which features a stripped-down delivery that finds the band returning to their roots as a trio. It’s a beautiful recording, performed from the balcony of Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC, a scene that seems to capture the sensitive, reflective mood of the song.
Jamila Woods on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Following the news of rioters breaching the U.S. capitol building on Wednesday, Chicago singer-songwriter Jamila Woods made a surprise appearance on Colbert’s show. Performing her newly released single “SULA (Paperback),” Woods gives one of the most moving late-night performances in recent history, backed by a string section and backup singers in an elaborate stage set.
Sturgill Simpson on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Outlaw-country songwriter Sturgill Simpson had a big year in 2020, releasing to surprise albums, Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 & 2. Containing bluegrass versions of songs from previous albums in addition to an original written with the late Merle Haggard, both records featured a loose bluegrass vibe, recorded in sessions that utilized a number of Nashville musicians. Sturgill was featured on Jimmy Fallon’s show with said band, performing “Life Of Sin,” a song originally featured on 2016’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.
Michael Kiwanuka on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
British songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has received constant praise and accolades for his blend of folk and soul since his 2012 debut, and his intimate performance for The Tonight Show will show you why. Performing remotely, Kiwanuka plays an acoustic guitar while joined simply by a pianist, as the two move through the melodic, soulful “You Ain’t The Problem,” featured on his outstanding 2019 record Kiwanuka.
Julien Baker on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Emotive indie songwriter Julien Baker recently announced a new album, Little Oblivions, to be released in February. She performed the lead single, “Faith Healer,” on The Late Show last night, recorded at Nashville venue Exit/In. The spacious song, featuring multiple pianos and delicate electric-guitar, blossoms into gorgeous heights, highlighting the passion of Baker’s songwriting and vocal performance.
Maren Morris on The Late Show with Stephen ColbertCountry songwriter Maren Morris returned to The Late Show this week, performing “Better Than We Found It” with a full band distanced on a large stage. The song, a protest anthem released in the midst of 2020’s tumultuous political and social dynamics, certainly hits hard, and shows why Morris has become the beloved star in today’s country music scene.