Rodney Crowell To Be Inducted Into The Texas Institute of Letters & Tour

Rodney Crowell will be inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters this weekend. The non-profit was established in 1936 and is a distinguished honor society celebrating Texas literature and recognizes literary achievement. The TIL’s membership consists of the state’s most recognized and serious writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, journalism, songwriting, and scholarship. Membership includes winners of the MacArthur Fellowship, Man Booker Prize, Pulitzer Prizes in drama, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as prizes awarded by PEN, and dozens of other regional and national award and grant-giving institutions. TIL President David Bowles said of newly inducted members via press release, “We are overjoyed and honored to welcome such a varied and stellar group of literary talents. These folks are some of the very best in their respective fields, and we congratulate not only their nomination and induction, but also the years they have each dedicated to Texas letters.”

Of the honor, Crowell said, ​​“First-and-foremost I think of myself as a writer, albeit mostly of songs. When it comes to putting words on the page, I’ve done my best to honor the masters of the art and craft by attempting to exceed my limitations. As a member of the Texas Institute of Letters it is an honor to continue to fail better.”

The legendary Willie Nelson will also release his 77th solo studio album, Oh What A Beautiful World this Friday, April 25 via Legacy Recordings. The collection features new interpretations of 12 classic songs written or co-written by Rodney Crowell and features a duet between Nelson and Crowell on its title track. Nelson first recorded a Rodney Crowell song in 1983 and last did so 40 years later for 2024’s The Border.

Of Oh What A Beautiful World, Crowell said, “Willie Nelson selecting twelve of my songs to make an album exceeds everything I’ve accomplished in the fifty-plus years I’ve been trying to find the right words to fit something resembling an original melody. We all know Willie is truly one of a kind. As much as I respect the artist, I love the man even more.”

Crowell also announced Summer tour dates with Shawn Colvin which will begin Thursday, June 12th in Brownfield, ME. Prior to the tour, he will launch his own dates this evening in Red Bank, NJ and the run of performances will include an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN on Friday, May 2. Crowell has also announced his annual It Starts With a Song 2025 songwriting camp which will take place in Nashville, TN on August 18 through 21. The camp will include 4 days and nights of songwriting, collaboration, and inspiration featuring very special guests Vince Gill, Mike Campbell, T Bone Burnett, and more. Please see tour dates below.

Born and raised in Houston, Crowell moved to Nashville in the early 1970s, coming to prominence first as a writer before establishing himself as a critically acclaimed solo artist in his own right. With 15 #1 songs on the country music charts throughout his career, along with two GRAMMY Awards, he has written hits for such country legends as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and George Strait, as well as for current chart toppers like Tim McGraw and Keith Urban. He’s been covered by r&b icons (Etta James) and rock legends (Van Morrison, Bob Seger). Throughout the last 20 years, he has been celebrated by the music industry. In 2003, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2006 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting from the Americana Music Association. In 2017 he was honored with ASCAP’s prestigious Founder’s Award, and in 2019 he was presented with the Poet’s Award by the Academy of Country Music. In addition to his prolific output as a singer, songwriter, and producer, he also found time to become a celebrated author, publishing his memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks, and a lyrical retrospective, Word for Word, both to widespread praise. His latest album, The Chicago Sessions, was produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and received a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Americana Album” in 2023.

The Chicago Sessions is available NOW via NEW WEST RECORDS.

Rodney Crowell On Tour:

Apr. 24 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogal
Apr. 25 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall
Apr. 26 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center for the Arts
May 2 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry House
May 15 – Nelsonville, OH – Stuart’s Opera House
May 16 – Bloomington, IN – Cosmic Songwriter Festival
May 17 – Evanston, IL – Space
May 30 – Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center
Jun. 4 – Nashville, TN – Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
Jun. 6 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theatre
Jun. 7 – Stephenville, TX – Birdsong Amphitheater
Jun. 8 – Saint Jo, TX – Red River Station
Jun. 12 – Brownfield, ME – Stone Mountain Arts Center w/ Shawn Colvin
Jun. 13 – Groton, MA – Groton Hill Music Center w/ Shawn Colvin
Jun. 14 – Somerville, MA – Arts at the Armory w/ Shawn Colvin
Jun. 17 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Kate w/ Shawn Colvin
Jun. 19 – Portsmouth, NH – Portsmouth Music Hall w/ Shawn Colvin
Jun. 20 – Rutland, VT – Paramount Theatre w/ Shawn Colvin
Jun. 21 – Great Barrington, MA – Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center w/ Shawn Colvin
Mar. 13 – 20 2026 – Miami, FL – Cayamo Cruise 2026