Over the weekend, rumors swirled about singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle’s arrest in Indianapolis on Thursday night, followed by a few angry tweets by Earle himself, reports containing alleged details, and confirmation of the arrest via the Marion County Sheriff’s Department website. So what went down? Allegedly, Earle’s frustration with the venue’s sound quality and audience boiled over when someone threw a shirt on his guitar toward the end of his headlining set. MOKB reports that Earle later trashed his dressing room to the tune of $200 and was told by venue staff that he would be docked pay over the damage. A physical fight ensued, according to accounts yet to be confirmed by Earle or police, before he was removed from the venue, arrested, charged with assault, battery, resisting arrest, and other offenses, and later released on bail.
Now that he is “[f]ree again,” Earle’s U.S. tour with Jessica Lea Mayfield rolls on. (Here’s hoping all the drama is resolved before their Hardly Strictly Bluegrass sets I’ll be catching in about two weeks.)
**Update: Earle has made an official statement over at My Old Kentucky Blog.