Stacey Earle still keeps it simple. But simple has never meant easy.
Over the last few years, the folk & country singer-songwriter has become one of the hardest working performers in the music business. Last year, in fact, she played more dates than any other touring artist with the exception of blues legend B.B. King.
Earle and her husband, guitarist Mark Stuart - now touring as a duo - will perform at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown on Saturday.
Despite a burgeoning popularity, a hectic touring schedule and an album to promote, Earle sticks to the straightforward music - and simple lifestyle - that define her. And she's not about to change.
"I think we're pretty stubborn in our simple ways," Earle says. "Nothing will ever change that. I like the simple, basic, things in life."
Maintaining close family ties is one of the values Earle strives for. Stacey is the younger sister of Americana rocker Steve Earle, and toured with Steve last year. She and Stuart have played music together for more than a decade. Earle's son, Kyle, has recorded with the band, as percussionist. Her studio band is called The Jewels, a name that honors Earle's late grandmother.
Earle got a late start on a professional career while raising her children, but had always enjoyed singing, playing and writing songs. After working as a Nashville studio staff songwriter, Earle broke onto the scene as a solo artist with her 1999 album "Simple Gearle."
Back to basics
Steve Earle helped his sister get into the business, but she has clearly defined herself as an artist. Her music touches basic themes, like lost love, rejection and motherhood. Despite unadorned arrangements, the songs are rich and compelling. Earle's music has a subtle edge; her voice is sweet yet haunting. "Simple Gearle" captivated fans with songs such as "Next Door Down," about being rejected as a songwriter, the gritty "If it Weren't For You," and "Just Another Day."
Her latest album "Dancing with Them That Brung Me," remains true to the Simple Gearle style, with improved production values and slightly tighter arrangements. She calls her songs "journals or diaries."
"They're about what I'm feeling at the moment," she says. "I write like I speak. My songs would definitely be dangerous to dance to because I'd trip you up."
A sense of optimism is a common theme. As a struggling young mother, Earle was determined to teach her children to turn negatives into positives. When the electricity was shut off on one occasion, she and the kids found candles and had a camping party.
"I refused to lay down," she recalled. "You have to be strong for kids. You can't show children that things are wrong."
During live performances, she uses stories to transition between songs. In her South Texas drawl, Earle shares memories of her childhood, early career and life. The stories give the audience perspective on the songs. And for Earle, they help reconnect with the event or mood that prompted her to write in the first place: "When I'm telling a story, it brings me back to the moment."
On a recent collection of live songs, Earle and Stuart included the "spoken word" portions, since they have become so integral to her stage show.
"Go out and git 'em"
Earle speaks - and sings - directly to her audience during concerts. "I can see when I'm connecting with people," she says. "That's why I request that the house lights be turned up partial. I can see who I'm connecting with and whether I'm not; and if I'm not I can go out and git 'em. I can hear 'em laugh I can see 'em cry. I'm singing about things that are reality, so I think it touches a nerve now and then.
The singer has gained a following on the folk circuit, including in New England. Western Massachusetts is a long way from South Texas, but Earle seems at home here and audiences embrace her.
"It's an easy connection," she says, "because I write simple; it's the basics of life. But then again, once you dig deeper it means something deeper. [The songs are about] things that people can relate to. They're not fantasies. Some of them may seem over the top; that's because, you know, I've experienced some pretty over the top things in my life. That's maybe the writer I am now. Maybe it's because I'm 41 now and maybe lived a little more than I've had to at times."
Earle and Stuart have played music together, almost every night, for years. The change to a duo billing reflects the inseparability in the couple's lives and music. "It's definitely a solid duo," she says. "We've been performing this much almost for 11 years now. Our guitars have become one, our vocals have become one. One day we looked up and said 'why aren't we just a duo?'"
Earle is not worried that her music will lose its sense of identity with the new format. "It's actually the next page of the journal or diary," she said. "It's where I'm at now."
Road tested songs
Earle hopes to get back into the studio soon. One drawback of being on the road interminably is that it is difficult to find time to write new songs. Earle and Stuart have been writing together, however, and presenting the new music to audiences at concerts. So, by the time the new record comes out, the songs will have been well road tested.
During the next recording session Earle hopes to take perhaps six weeks off from touring to focus exclusively on recording. "That's a diary," she says. "It should not be cheated. It deserves it."
Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart will perform at the Clark Art Institute on Saturday, February 2, at 8 p.m. The concert is part of the Clark's series "American Roots: Traditional Music from the Rural South." Tickets are $20 ($18 for members and students) and are available at the Clark museum shop or by calling 413-458-2303, extension 324.
For more information on Stacey Earle, visit www.StaceyEarle.com
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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