Can you imagine writing a hit song 40 years ago in a legend’s home? Rodney Crowell just had that memory flood back while walking in New York City. He remembered staying in an apartment belonging to the one and only Johnny Cash. It was a penthouse that overlooked Central Park, a special place that sparked a huge moment in music.
Rodney was staying there by himself. He went to see a play and felt so inspired that he came right back. Staring out the window at the park, he wrote, “It’s Such a Small World.” This song became his very first number one hit as an artist. It was a special duet he sang with Rosanne Cash, his wife at the time. Writing a hit in his father-in-law’s home is a wild story.
Rodney Crowell’s NYC Memory
Rodney and Rosanne were married for over ten years, from 1979 to 1992. He once said that having so much success was hard on their “storybook romance.” But the music they made together, like that first hit song, lives on for everyone to hear.
That New York memory is tied so closely to the Cash family. But Rodney’s relationship with his father-in-law, Johnny Cash, did not start so smoothly. He shared in another interview that his first meeting with the music legend was actually very awkward. It was a rocky start for two men who would later become close.
Rodney Crowell Reveals His Wildest Stories About Johnny Cash & Jimmy Buffett
Rodney explained he “got off on the wrong foot” with Johnny. This was because he was living with Rosanne in Hollywood before they were married. He said that “didn’t go over so well” with the Man in Black for a while. It is funny to think that his hero was not his biggest fan at first.
Johnny Cash always stood for something real, even when it was hard. His journey was full of mistakes and forgiveness. This honesty is why we still listen to him today. He became a true father figure to Rodney Crowell, showing how family bonds can grow strong. Follow Johnny Cahl on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.