“the King of Country Music” – Pop Matters
On his vibrant twentieth studio album, 2025’s Airline Highway, Rodney Crowell explores love, memory, and musical kinship. Furthermore, he does so with a new generation of roots artists. Here, the album captures a spontaneous spirit—blending Crowell’s storytelling prowess with contributions from his talented band. Thus, Airline Highway reflects on the past while celebrating the present. The album is inspired by the swamp-pop sounds of his youth and was recorded in the heart of Cajun country. From rollicking barnburners to haunting ballads, Crowell delivers a wise, joyful meditation on legacy and letting go. Thus, the album has been described as “a document of falling in love with music all over again”.
Crowell has long represented a bridge between classic outlaw country, Americana, and contemporary songwriting craft. This is evident on his debut album from 1978 as well as on Airline Highway.
Crowell’s C.V. is nothing short of astonishing. A songwriting legend, he’s penned hits for Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Rosanne Cash, Keith Urban, and more. He has earned two Grammy Awards, including Best Country Song for “After All This Time”. Furthermore, he has seen success as a recording artist, too. 1988’s Diamonds & Dirt produced an unprecedented five consecutive Number One singles on the country charts. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Crowell in 2003.
Recommended for fans of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Rosanne Cash.
