DOWNLOAD THE WNKU ARTIST PROFILE OF RODNEY CROWELL

Though Rodney Crowell first gained widespread recognition as a leader of the new traditionalist movement of the mid-'80s, he was in fact a singer, songwriter, and producer with roots and ambitions extending far beyond the movement's parameters.

Crowell’s latest release, The Outsider, was recently nominated by the Americana Music Awards for Best Album of the Year and his song “Don’t Get Me Started” was nominated for Best Song. Fueled by a muscular crew of Nashville rockers (led by Will Kimbrough on guitar) and including a host of guest vocalists (Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Buddy & Julie Miller and J.D. Souther), The Outsider finds Crowell deftly crisscrossing genre borders in his rowdiest and most socio/politically outspoken effort ever. From the blazing ’60s garage rock of "Say You Love Me" to the exquisite duet with Emmylou on Dylan’s "Shelter From The Storm;" from the in-your-face punk punch of "The Obscenity Prayer" to the gospel choir on "Ignorance Is The Enemy," Rodney Crowell is firing on all cylinders and taking no prisoners.

Crowell was born to a musical family on August 7, 1950, in Houston, Texas. In high school Crowell formed his first band, The Arbitrators, but left them in 1972 and moved to Nashville in the pursuit of a musical career. In Nashville, he struck up friendships with singer/songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark who gave him advice that would stay with him for his entire career.

Crowell's first big break came while he was performing as a lounge singer. Crowell's own "You Can't Keep Me Here in Tennessee" caught the ear of Jerry Reed and his manager, and two days later Reed recorded the song after signing Crowell to his publishing company. Crowell went on to work with Emmylou Harris and singer/songwriter Rosanee Cash, producing the latter’s debut album. Crowell and Cash married in 1979. He produced many of her albums, including the 1985 masterpiece Rhythm and Romance. At Cash's urging, Crowell re-ignited his performing career in 1986 with the acclaimed Street Language, an eclectic effort co-produced by Memphis soul legend Booker T. Jones. The couple divorced in 1991.

In 1997, Crowell formed The Cicadas with longtime backup musicians Steuart Smith, Michael Rhodes and Vince Santoro. He married singer Claudio Church in 1998, and in 1999 wrote her country chart debut, "'What's the Matter With You Baby."

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