CALGARY - There are few things more mesmerizing than watching Steve Earle sing.

Except for maybe hearing him tell a story. There were plenty of interesting anecdotes during Earle's well-attended show at the Jack Singer Concert Hall Wednesday night. But he didn't talk about just any old subject. Earle is touring in support of his latest CD, Townes, which features songs written by his late friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt.

"I had a friend, a teacher, named Townes," Earle told the audience of 1,500, who cheered in recognition. "I was 17 years old when I met Townes and I thought that was the coolest thing ever. A week-and-a-half ago I turned 55 and I still think that's the coolest thing ever."

And with that heartfelt introduction to one of America's greatest songwriters, Earle began playing Van Zandt's Rex's Blues, which doesn't actually appear on the record. Earle admitted it was tough to choose only 15 songs for his album since Van Zandt wrote so many great ones. He tried to explain the process by comparing it to being in prison.

"First day in jail, you pick the biggest (person) in the yard and you knock him out," he said. "And if you get away with it -- and I'm not saying that you will -- then you get to keep your radio, among other things. I applied that same theory to Townes Van Zandt's catalogue and recorded this song first." While the set was heavy on Van Zandt tunes, Earle also treated the crowd to classics of his own, including his 1987 hit, I Ain't Ever Satisfied. During that song, a fistfight broke out between two male concert-goers. It was an odd sight in the Jack Singer, but like a true pro, Earle just ignored the commotion.