Rodney Crowell played guitar in the Emmylou Harris Hot Band in 1975. He left the band to start his own group and produce for others including future wife Roseanne Cash. Among the hits he composed are "Shame on the Moon" for Bob Seger, "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" for the Oak Ridge Boys and you'll find "(Voila) An American Dream on his 1978 album "Ain't Living Long Like This".

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "An American Dream hit the top fifteen in 1979.