'I've always loved the stories of the way the old country singers lived," said Justin Townes Earle. "They'd be in church on Sunday, but as soon as church ended, they'd be at a poker game doin' blow and drinkin'. It's pretty exciting. Not a way I want to live, but pretty exciting."

Earle knows all about living that way, getting strung out on booze and dope in his early 20s until he couldn't be bothered to show up for gigs. "When I was on dope, I was flighty at best," Earle said. "These days it's all business."

Now clean, sober and focused, the Tennessee troubadour is making up for lost time with "The Good Life," his Bloodshot Records debut, released in March. His music is indicative of the post-war era, before country got all mixed up with rock 'n' roll and pop, and is touched with an authenticity unrivaled by most old-time revivalists. The singer says he knows he's got the tone of a song down when "it doesn't feel like you're bullsh---in' everybody when you do it."

That authenticity finds expression in Earle's stage show as well. Dressed in a suit and string tie, Earle is Grand Ole Opry-chic, inspired by country music greats like Hank Williams and the Louvin Brothers. And true to tradition, Earle's songs tread the familiar ground of sin, loss and redemption -- for now.

"I think that within the next couple of years, I'll get all the dope songs out of my system," Earle said with a laugh. "It takes a while to get over old mistakes."

Justin Townes Earle, Mandy Marie, Cliff Snyder, Joe Pug

When: 9 p.m. Oct. 10.

Where: Radio Radio, 1119 Prospect St.

Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

Info: www.brownpapertickets.com