In The Deep End With Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell’s been around the block, literally and figuratively. As a sometimes secondary character in alternative country music’s schism from establishment norms in the 1970s, he formed fast friendships and collaborations with stalwarts like Guy Clark and Emmylou Harris (with whom he played in her Hot Band and more recently recorded two duet albums [ND feature]). 

Crowell’s first tastes of commercial success came from his 1981 song “Shame on the Moon” (which Bob Seeger made famous the following year), and his hit 1988 record Diamonds & Dirt. Crowell’s production credits include several of his ex-wife Rosanne Cash’s albums, Vincent Neil Emerson’s Texas Moon, and Chely Wright’s Lifted Off The Ground; and on his long list of illustrious co-writes are songs for, and with, Wynona Judd, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, and Chris Stapleton.  

Now in his 70s, Crowell is still releasing new music with gusto. On June 26, he released Then Again, an album he recorded more than 20 years ago, before it was shelved and forgotten. Revisiting the album recently, Crowell fell back in love with its stories and decided to release it. Then Again includes “Ain’t You One of Us,” Crowell’s last collaboration with Clark, and a stunningly prescient track about greed and capitalism, as well as collaborations with Harris, Lyle Lovett, and Benmont Tench.

Recently, he checked in with No Depression to talk about the album, the importance of learning to new things, and deepening creativity as he ages. Like other pieces in No Depression’s In The Deep End series, questions start easier then get progressively…deeper. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.