Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell was born on August 7, 1950, in Houston, Texas, into a musical family. His early exposure to music included his grandfathers’ involvement in church choirs and bluegrass banjo, and his father’s semi-professional singing in bars. By age 11, Crowell was playing drums in his father’s band, “J.W. Crowell and the Rhythmaires.” In his teenage years, he played in various garage rock bands in Houston, incorporating rock hits and country numbers into his repertoire, laying the groundwork for his eclectic musical style.

In August 1972, Crowell moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career in music. He quickly established himself as a songwriter after being discovered by Jerry Reed. A significant turning point in his early career was meeting songwriter Guy Clark, who became a profound influence. Emmylou Harris, who had recorded Crowell’s song “Bluebird Wine,” invited him to join her backing band, The Hot Band, in 1975. This association provided him with valuable experience and exposure. In 1977, he formed his own band, The Cherry Bombs, and signed a solo deal with Warner Bros. Records in 1978, releasing his debut album, “Ain’t Living Long Like This.” Despite not achieving immediate commercial success with his early albums, his songs were covered by prominent artists such as Waylon Jennings and the Oak Ridge Boys. In the early 1980s, Crowell put his solo career on hold to produce albums for his then-wife, Rosanne Cash.

Crowell’s career took a significant turn in the late 1980s with the release of his 1988 album, “Diamonds & Dirt.” This album produced five consecutive number one singles on the Hot Country Songs chart: “It’s Such a Small World” (a duet with Rosanne Cash), “I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried,” “She’s Crazy For Leavin’,” “After All This Time,” and “Above and Beyond.” “After All This Time” earned him a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1990. He continued to find success as a songwriter throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with his songs being recorded by artists like Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, and Tim McGraw. In 2003, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His 2013 collaboration with Emmylou Harris, “Old Yellow Moon,” won a Grammy for Best Americana Album, further solidifying his status as a respected figure in American music.