WFUV Pop Quiz: Rodney Crowell

Long before he became a Grammy winning songwriter and member of Emmylou Harris' Hot Band, Rodney Crowell was introduced to music by his father. He also experienced the unpredictable fireworks of his parents' marriage. He's recounted his childhood experiences in autobiographical albums like The Houston Kid and now a memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks. In a recent visit to WFUV with John Platt he shared some more personal insights in The WFUV Pop Quiz.

Aside from gear, instruments or your band, you don't go on the road without?

My tea pot and my organic white tea.

What song do you wish you've written?

There's three - "Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan, "Pancho and Lefty" by Townes Van Zandt and "Sunday Morning Coming Down" by Kris Kristofferson. 

Is there a song where you have favorite opening lines?

[Recites] "The old gunfighter on the porch/stared into the sun/and relived the days of living by the gun..." (Guy Clark's "The Last Gunfighter Ballad")

Who would you like to record one of your songs, dead or alive?

I wish Lightnin' Hopkins would have done "Ain't Living Long Like This." 

What song would you sing in the shower but never in public?

[sings] "I love you more today than yesterday, but not half as much as tomorrow..." 

What's the first album you bought?

Buck Owens' Under Your Spell Again.

Someone finds your iPod and hits shuffle. What song do you hope does not come up?

My iPod is full of great songs.

What's your favorite Bob Dylan Song?

"I and I", "Angelina" or "Every Grain of Sand" - any one of those three. 

What job would you have if you weren't a musician?

A Cultural Anthropologist. 

Do you have any hidden talents?

I'm a pretty good cook. 

What's your signature dish?

Salmon cooked in olive oil with oranges, red onions and garlic. 

What's the biggest misconception your fans or the media have about you?

I assume they think I have a good sense of humor. I'm funnier probably than they know.

What wacky thing would you do if you had the time, guts or resources?

I want to take that walk up to Machu Picchu.