Singer/songwriter Steve Earle [ tickets ] has lined up a small batch of North American headlining appearances over the early weeks of 2010 that are scattered from coast to coast.

The veteran country/rock troubadour kicks off the mini-outing January 19 and 20 in Portland, OR, followed by shows in Seattle (1/22) and Vancouver, British Columbia (1/23). After a Feb. 2 show in Boulder, CO, Earle heads east to take part in the 2010 Cayamo Music Cruise, embarking Feb. 21 from Miami. More information about the event can be found at the official Cayamo website.

Earle's latest album, "Townes," which surfaced this spring on New West Records, pays tribute to the singer/songwriter's late friend and mentor, Townes Van Zandt. The album, which features Earle covering 15 Van Zandt originals, includes guest appearances from Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Earle's wife, Allison Moorer. The set debuted at No. 19 on The Billboard 200, which was the highest debut of Earle's career on Billboard's main chart. Additionally, the album scored a No. 6 debut on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart.

Earle's previous studio effort, "Washington Square Serenade," surfaced in 2007. That album, produced by John King of the Dust Brothers (Beck, Beastie Boys), was Earle's first full-length release since relocating to New York from Nashville, where he had based his career since 1975.