Justin Townes Earle passes away at 38

Earle, the son of Steve Earle, forged his own career, releasing X CDs on Bloodshot and New West Records. He merged country, folk and blues sounds intohis repertoire.

No cause of death was cited.

"It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the passing of our son, husband, father and friend Justin. So many of you have relied on his music and lyrics over the years and we hope that his music will continue to guide you on your journeys," it was posted on Sunday night on his Instagram account. "You will be missed dearly Justin."

Earle grew up in Nashville with his mother, Carol Ann Hunter Earle. His middle name was in honor of singer and songwriter Townes van Zandt, Steve Earle's mentor. He lived with his mother, but returned to his father after he became clean in 1994. Earle had battled drug and alcohol problems.

Justin Townes Earle was a member of Steve's backing band, The Dukes, at one point, playing guitar and keyboards.

In 2007, he released a six-song EP, "Yuma." He signed a deal with Chicago's Bloodshot Records and put out, "The Good Life," in 2008.

In 2009, he released "Midnight at the Movies." He also won the Americana Music Award for New and Emerging Artist of the Year that same year.

In 2010 he released the well-received album, "Harlem River Blues." The title track earned Earle the Americana Music Award in the Song of the Year in 2011/ "Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now" came out in 2012.

From 2014 through 2017, Earle released a trilogy of "Single Mothers" (2014), "Absent Fathers" (2015), and "Kids in the Street" (2017). His last release, "The Saint of Lost Cause," came out in May 2019.

Jason Isbell, who toured with Earle, said,"Had a lot of good times and made a lot of good music with JTE. So sad for his family tonight."

Earle leaves behind his wife, Jenn Marie Maynard, who he married in 2013. Their only child, a daughter, Etta, was born in June 2017.