Rodney Crowell Essentials

After playing in Emmylou Harris' band, Rodney Crowell emerged in the late '70s as a torchbearer for the outlaw country movement. In the late '80s, after years as a cult figure, he enjoyed a short-but-stunning flirtation with the mainstream, turning out five No. 1 singles in a row. Crowell—who was married to Rosanne Cash from 1979 to 1992 and produced many of her albums—eventually drifted back to his comfort zone on the fringes, releasing increasingly quirky records. At the same time, though, he penned tunes for pop country stars like Keith Urban and Tim McGraw.