The outspoken Steve Earle will not play Tucson, Ariz. on July 4, 2011 as planned. To explain why, he sent a statement to the press: "It is with decidedly mixed feelings and a fair amount of regret that I have decided to postpone our concert that was to have been at the Rialto in Tuscon on July 4th. I am doing this out of respect to the boycott of Arizona that many artists are participating in to support those Arizonans who are opposed to the passage of SB 1070 and any other legislation that discriminates against Mexican-Americans."

Critics of the bill say SB 1070 encourages racial profiling, and Earle, a longtime political activist, expressed his displeasure by joining the boycott, but then fell under the mistaken impression that the boycott had been canceled.

While he will not totally rule out playing in Tucson one day, the Texas singer-songwriter wants to do more research about the boycott before re-booking the concert. Earle writes, "As someone who supports the immigrants' rights movement, I am not convinced that it is useful to continue to stay away from progressive fans in the state. I respect those among my fellow artists who have chosen to play Arizona [and] at the same time speak out against SB 1070, as well as those who have supported the boycott."

Earle's upcoming T. Bone Burnett produced album, 'I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive,' is in stores on April 26, and his debut novel of the same name will be out on May 12. To support the new projects, the normally solo act will head on the road with his band, the Dukes (and Duchesses), which features wife Allison Moorer.  The tour kicks off on June 9 in Seattle, Wash.

The country-rocker is also offering a free PDF of his novel's first chapter and a free MP3 of the new song, 'Waitin' on the Sky.' Head to his Facebook page for more information.