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 this week, Oh What A Beautiful World 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.