Stephen Fain Earle was born on January 17, 1955, in Fort Monroe, Virginia, U.S. A versatile American musician, singer-songwriter, and author, Earle has built a career that spans country, rock, and folk music, earning a reputation as one of the most distinctive and politically outspoken voices in American roots music. He began his musical journey as a songwriter in Nashville, where he honed his craft writing for other artists before stepping into the spotlight himself.

Earle's breakthrough came in 1986 with his debut album, Guitar Town. The album's eponymous lead single climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Country chart, establishing him as a formidable new talent. He followed this success with "Copperhead Road" in 1988, which became his bestselling single. The song peaked at No. 10 on the Mainstream Rock chart upon its initial release and experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 21st century, reaching No. 15 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart thanks to vigorous online sales.

Over the course of his career, Earle has released more than twenty studio albums and has been honored with three Grammy awards, each for Best Contemporary Folk Album, along with four additional nominations in the same category. His songwriting has been widely celebrated and recorded by an impressive array of artists, including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Levon Helm, The Highwaymen, Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Shawn Colvin, Bob Seger, Percy Sledge, Dailey & Vincent, Robert Earl Keen, and Emmylou Harris.

Beyond music, Earle has made his mark in film and television, most notably as recurring characters in HBO's critically acclaimed series The Wire and Treme. His creative pursuits extend to literature as well; he has written a novel, a play, and a book of short stories. Earle is also the father of the late singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle.

In recognition of his lasting contributions to music, Earle was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. In 2025, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, cementing his legacy as a vital figure in American music. He continues to write, record, and perform, remaining an influential and active presence in the industry.