Rodney Crowell
Rodney Crowell has worked his way through more than 40 years of musical activity, the vast collection of songs he has written for himself, and artists such as Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, and many others. I decided it was time to compile a book that showcases some of the.
“About a year ago,” he says. And I did it pretty selfishly, honestly. For reasons such as radio exposure, it is not necessarily a popular song or a well-known song. I chose ones that I am proud to have written by my standards as a songwriter. “
The end result is a beautifully illustrated coffee table type book featuring the lyrics of many of his songs, some in his own handwriting, and notes he made while writing them. .
Rodney Crowell’s “Word for Word” book (cover photo by Marty Stewart)
“Most of my song lyrics in the last few years have been on the computer, and before that the lyrics were printed in the folded book I have. It has quite a few scribbles and first and second drafts.”
In the book, he shares the backstory behind some songs and much of his early days in music. And there are many personal photos of him.
A multiple Grammy Award-winning artist and songwriter, Crowell has written 15 No. 1 hits and is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Word for Word” examines some of his most famous songs, including “If You Try You Can’t Leave”, “Leave Louisiana in Broad Daylight” and “Somewhere Tonight”.
Lyrics of “I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tryed” by Rodney Crowell
Lyrics of “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” by Rodney Crowell
He also recorded “Shame on the Moon” by Bob Seger, “Long Hard Road” by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and “Making Memories of Us” by Keith Urban. ” also wrote.
The book highlights his many songwriting collaborations with artists such as Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark and Rosanne Cash.
Rodney Crowell has worked with many fellow songwriters throughout his career.
“Emmylou is my sister by another mother,” says Crowell. “We’ve been brother and sister since we were in our 20s. We’re good friends.”
The two met in the 1970s and Harris later hired Crowell as a guitarist, harmony singer and arranger for her band.
From “Word for Word” by Rodney Crowell
He wrote and recorded many songs with Roseanne Cash both before and after their marriage. The two have his four daughters grown up and have an ongoing connection through music. She wrote a piece for the book.
“One of the things I often say about Roseanne in public is that our marriage was going well, but it just ended. We parted very amicably. I introduced her to my husband, he’s a nice guy, I was talking to my wife the other day and she said, “I love Roseanne.” that is very true. “
Rodney Crowell, Roseanne Cash, Bob Seger
Crowell also had a close relationship with Roseanne’s father, Johnny Cash.
“I got into his orbit as a young man trying to prove himself. he just smiled or put me in my place he knew what i was doing but he knew the level of work i was making I think we had a good friendship.”
Rodney Crowell and Johnny Cash (from “Word for Word”)
After more than 40 years as a singer/songwriter, Crowell is still passionate about making music. He also shares what he knows. He recently wrapped up his third songwriting camp. The camp brought aspiring songwriters from all over the world to Nashville to learn the craft from the masters. (He will also hold a camp next summer.)
He hopes his book will inspire people interested in writing songs. He has just begun his book tour around the country to promote “Word for Word”.
He is also working on a new album due out sometime next year. Crowell, 72, has no intention of slowing down and may be picking up the pace a bit.
“I work more now than when I was younger,” he says. “I used to jokingly tell my wife that when I was younger I used to be stupid, but I don’t do that anymore. She just laughs. But now that time is finite, I don’t recapture it as part of my creation.” So I’m still doing it, I’m still doing it all, I may be less in the public eye, but I’m still doing it, and I’m enjoying it more. “
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