He was a singer-songwriter who was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His songs were recorded by top country and folk artists, including Johnny Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. He and his wife, Susanna, were leaders in the roots music scene that included artists like Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Mickey Newbury, and Billy Joe Shaver.