When Steve Earle stepped onto the Austin City Limits stage on November 12, 2000, it had been 14 years since his first appearance in 1986. In between it must've seemed like he had lived several lifetimes. A bout with drug addiction sidetracked him in the early 90's, but by 1994 he was recovered and more ornery and prolific than ever. In fact, in the years since, he has released five albums, including his latest at the time of this recording, TRANSCENDENTAL BLUES.