Rodney Crowell Explores His Houston Roots in ‘Close Ties’

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell grew up in Houston's Third Ward and far east-side neighborhoods, as told in his 2011 memoir Chinaberry Sidewalks. He played in garage bands and his father's honky-tonk band before moving to Nashville in 1972 to pursue a career in music.

After quite an illustrious career writing and producing hit singles and albums for himself and other popular country artists, Crowell now embraces the "Americana" genre favored by artists like John Paul White and Jason Isbell.

On his 18th studio album Close Ties, Crowell mines the autobiographical territory that inspired his acclaimed 2001 album The Houston Kid, as well as what it means to look back on younger days and assess those experiences. The new album, which comes out today (March 31, 2017), features a collaboration with John Paul White and Crowell's ex-wife Rosanne Cash.

While on tour, Crowell visited Houston Public Media's Geary Studio to record the songs Reckless and East Houston Blues, both off the new album. His performance will be featured in an upcoming edition of Houston Public Media’s Skyline Sessions.