“I heard a lot of racist comments from people I grew up with,” says Alabama native, singer/songwriter/guitarist Jason Isbell. “But when I started listening to the music of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and the Staple Singers, it taught me that if there’s something wrong with the people making that, then I’d also like that to be wrong with me.” Isbell, 38, a former member of the rock band Drive-By Truckers, went solo in 2007. Since then, he has quit drinking, released six albums, won two Grammys, and had a daughter with his wife, the noted musician Amanda Shires, who also plays in his band, the 400 Unit. Here, he talks with Lisa Robinson about music, politics, and fame.
LISA ROBINSON: A song on your latest album (The Nashville Sound) is…
