On September 10, 2015, Steve Earle released the single "Mississippi It's Time" with all proceeds going towards the civil rights organization, Southern Poverty Law Center. The song was produced by Steve Earl and recorded with his long time backup band, the Dukes, in the summer of 2015 in the aftermath of the June 17th mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The song advocates for removal of the confederate flag from state grounds and tackles historical themes of slavery, racism, patriotism, and progress since the Civil War.