Q&A with Steve Earle: ‘I just don’t have it in me to believe in hopeless cases or lost causes’

We don’t need to slap some highfalutin label like “Renaissance Man” on Steve Earle.

However, it could certainly apply to the alt-country legend, who — along with influencing about half the guys you hear both on country radio and in the Americana scene — has been an actor (“The Wire”), novelist, off-Broadway producer, record producer, SiriusXM deejay and tireless activist.

On Friday, the singer-songwriter from San Antonio comes to Pittsburgh in the artist/activist role, teaming with longtime friend Emmylou Harris on The Lantern Tour, benefiting the Women’s Refugee Commission, which advances the rights of refugee women and children around the world.

In addition to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, this article appeared in 24 news outlets, including the Ledger-Enquirer, The Olympian, and The Charlotte Observer.

Learn more about The Lantern Tour.