Country legend, or indeed superstar, would not be inappropriate terms to apply to Rodney Crowell who kicks of his European tour with a concert promoted by Shetland Arts Trust in the Clickimin Centre on Saturday the 16th October.

Having attracted the attention of Emmylou Harris through his penning of classic country songs such as ‘Til I Gain Control Again’, Bluebird Wine, Amarillo and Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight, all of which she recorded for her solo albums, Rodney was then asked to join Emmylou’s legendary Hot Band as guitarist and backing vocalist.

He went on from there to forge an incredibly successful solo career for himself, recording ten solo albums, releasing a greatest hits package, writing and singing five consecutive No 1 country songs and winning a Grammy Award for good measure along the way.

Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, John Hiatt and Lucinda Williams are just a few of the other great country related names he’s worked with over the years.

Having taken some time out in the 90’s to help bring up his family, he recently returned to the recording studio, first to deliver the acclaimed comeback album ‘The Houston Kid’ and more recently ‘Fate’s Right Hand’ which many believe to be his best album to date.
“……his finest work and one of the best albums of the year” claimed the New York Daily News, while the Austin Chronicle reckoned that it is “……a collection of songs that surpasses anything he’s done in the past” – some boast indeed.

On the tour Rodney will be joined by internationally acclaimed guitarist Will Kinbrough, who will also undertake the role of support act for the Lerwick gig.

Shetland Arts Trust Music Development Officer Davie Gardner said “To have another country artist of the stature of Rodney Crowell coming to Shetland as part of a wider European tour is great news indeed. It’s too early to say if we are now being considered as part of the touring circuit for acts of this kind, but following so soon after having Steve Earle here, through the same London based promoter, it gives us some hope that we may be able to secure even more artists of this quality in the future”.

Tickets for the show, priced £15, go on sale from the Clickimin Centre at 9am on Friday the 24th September.

For further information contact David Gardner on (01595) 697550.