Charley Crockett Announces New Album “Welcome To Hard Times”
As if the most potent strains of American roots music all rose up from the ground and intertwined into a living, breathing entity, Charley Crockett contains an unfair amount of country and blues talent, only rendered forgivable from his incredible ability to share it.
On July 31st, the Texas native will release his latest record called Welcome To Hard Times via Thirty Tigers. Produced by Mark Neil, it also includes songwriting contributions from Pat McLaughlin and Dan Auerbach. “This record is for the folks who feel like everything’s fixed. If you think you’re playing a rigged game, you’re right. If it seems like all the cards are marked in advance, they are. But you still gotta roll the dice, even when you know they’re loaded.”
Crockett is no stranger to hard times himself. The once homeless songwriter spent time busking on subway cars and on the streets of the French Quarter before be began forging a team and audience to get his music to the greater masses. Then just as soon as his career began to take off, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition that required risky open heart surgery to solve. But these moments have become the motivation and narratives interwoven into his songs that have made him such a compelling performer.
“I look at that scar and all I can think about is the limited amount of time I’ve got left, I wanted to make an album that would try to reclaim the conversation about country music.” Crockett says, “My entering country music has been controversial to say the least but I believe country fans have more eclectic tastes than they are given credit for. My country music is inspired by what I played in the subway car so I could eat, in the French Quarter in ragtag bands. I sat in pastures on farms across this country putting it all together into my own sound. I don’t like labels but if that ain’t country I don’t know what is.”
Crockett is speaking to his propensity to add elements of blues, R&B, and ragtime into his music. But if you can’t hear the honky tonk heart behind many of his songs, you don’t know country music. It’s Crockett’s adherence to the roots that saw him winning the 2020 Ameripolitan Award for Best Honky Tonk Male.
Ahead of the new record, the direct descendant to Davy Crockett has released the title track, along with an accompanying video shot in the Sierra Nevada (see below). It will be one of many videos from the record where Crockett will play the same character. And along with sharing his music, Crockett also wants to share his story of perseverance through adversity.
“I’ve gotten more than my fair share of raw deals in my thirty six years. But I don’t let hard luck own me.” Crockett says. “I’ve been fortunate enough to see things that a person from my background is never meant to see, and that’s worth something. It turns out that a wandering boy can learn a whole lot out there getting in trouble. Especially if he learns from his mistakes. I wouldn’t take anything back that’s happened to me. I’m not the best and I damn sure ain’t the first. But I’m different, and in music, that’s everything.”
Welcome to Hard Times is now available for pre-order.
Welcome To Hard Times tracklist:
- Welcome To Hard Times
- Run Horse Run
- Don’t Cry
- Tennessee Special
- Fool Somebody Else
- Lily My Dear
- Wreck Me
- Heads You Win
- Rainin’ In My Heart
- Paint It Blue
- Black Jack County Crain
- The Man That Time Forgot
- The Poplar Tree
May 27, 2020 @ 8:42 pm
I got into Charley Crockett with his last album; The Valley. That boy sure can sing and have one of the most interesting sounds in country music. The way he effortlessly moves between country, blues r&b and gospel is amazing. It’s guys like him that saves country music, not kane brown or florida georga line.
May 27, 2020 @ 8:50 pm
I wanted to like him, I tried really hard. I can’t get past the voice. It sounds like he’s missing a large portion of his tongue
May 27, 2020 @ 9:26 pm
Go see him live. I thought the same until I got to witness his presence and all that dumb shit I thought was shot right through the window. I wish I had a thumbnail worth of his talent.
May 28, 2020 @ 5:21 am
He only really sang with a lisp on “Lonesome as a Shadow” (I love that album but to each their own). Sounds like he’s been refining his singing style recently. I recommend giving him one more chance. This new song sounds great.
May 28, 2020 @ 10:12 am
Agreed. In the Night he sings pretty much straight forward, then I heard Lonesome as a Shadow and thought “He’s putting this lisp thing on a bit” Either way, I love his records and he is one of the funnest acts I have seen live in years…besides Mike and the Moonpies of course….and Chicago Farmer. He was an incredible nice guy too.
May 30, 2020 @ 7:15 pm
I’m in the same boat. I’ve never tried so hard to like an artist as I have with Charley Crockett. I’ve heard a few interviews and this dude lives and loves traditional American music so much that I give every new albums shot. Far be it from me to wish he’d cater to my tastes, but here’s to hoping our musical paths align on this new one.
May 27, 2020 @ 9:39 pm
Took me a while to get used to his unusual singing style but after spending a lot of time with his last album The Valley, digging into his back catalogue, and listening to/watching a bunch of interviews, I’m a total believer. Man’s got amazing work ethic (nearly two albums per year since 2015), a real appreciation for American roots music, and a knack for showmanship. Can’t wait for the new album.
As an aside, I wouldn’t be surprised if he started picking up legit acting roles sooner than later. If they can put Ryan Bingham in Yellowstone, I’m sure they’d do well doing the same with Charley Crockett.
May 27, 2020 @ 10:01 pm
A few months ago I drove three hours to attend my first Charley Crockett concert after becoming semi obsessed with “The Valley”. The venue was packed, the show was tremendous, and everyone, myself included, went home wearing a huge smile. He is the real deal.
May 28, 2020 @ 12:15 am
Really cool! I work behind a bar in the middle of nowhere in the Eastern Sierra and served Charley this past November. It was definitely a surprise to have a musician I follow sit at the bar, and he seemed equally surprised I recognized him. Super nice guy, and super tolerant of the hammered local conspiracy buff next to him.
Looks like possibly some shots near the old mining town of Bodie?
May 28, 2020 @ 5:16 am
Let’s talk about this song! Gotta Floyd Cramer vibe with that piano, and stylistically its an early to mid sixties sort of thing. A little bit country-politan minus the strings. Liking it immensely.
Video puts me in mind of something Dwight Yoakam would do.
Man, Crockett is bringing it big time.. Grand Ol Opry last year, Ameripolitan win this year, new record. Now, if only he could tour…..
May 28, 2020 @ 6:00 am
I’m going to pre-order this one from him as soon as I can. I picked up LaaS from Grimey’s in Nashville after this website’s review and dig it right away. Had a chance to see him at the Basement East about a month before the tornado ripped through the building and the virus threw a wrench into everything. I second everyone’s recommendations to see him live (when we eventually can).
May 28, 2020 @ 6:06 am
more good news. glad his ticker continues to improve.
May 28, 2020 @ 6:35 am
Really want to see Charley live, aparently it is quite the experience. I read on here that he opened for Jason Isbell and almost stole the show despite being relatively unknown to most. Damn I miss live music.
May 28, 2020 @ 6:40 am
When I saw him open for the Turnpike Troubadours, I wasn’t taken with his singing but his stage presence was a jolly good time. Since then, I have dived into his catalog. He is an acquired taste but a good one. And I like his worldview. He is no whining snowflake.
May 28, 2020 @ 7:54 am
The Valley was my favorite album last year. From the sounds of this new song, I’m betting I’ll love the new one as well.
May 28, 2020 @ 7:55 am
He’s definitely on the list of voices I was turned off by at first, but then became obsessed with. Sturgill and Tyler are on that too. Then again these guys might be some of the only modern country I listen to, and less so because of their own takes than their revival of the sounds that originally turned me onto country.
For anyone turned off at first – give him a few more listens. It’s very worth it.
May 28, 2020 @ 1:25 pm
Excited about this one, CC is the real deal.
May 28, 2020 @ 4:16 pm
This fella reminds me of Short haired Willie in the 60s. Ahead of his time and about to change the game. Nobody sees it comin and is bet that’s exactly what’s gonna happen. Dang that’s a crazy good number.
May 28, 2020 @ 4:59 pm
When I first saw Charley on Instagram, I thought “what a douchey looking East Nashville hipster fuck,” but make no mistake, this cat is authentic. He slowly grew to become one of my favorite musicians. In the Night is my favorite album, so I’m happy to hear he’s adding more bluesy and R&Bsy songs. I really dig the new song.
May 28, 2020 @ 5:55 pm
Love the new song and video, Charlie is fantastic and love his previous stuff, I also love Jazz, Blues, Soul and R&B, and he blends them all in his take on country music. LOve his singing style, its different, but really unique and totally original.
Looking forward to seeing him live someday once the powers that be let us children back into the playground.
May 29, 2020 @ 8:02 am
The Valley was my album of the year last year, so this is exciting. I’m hoping live music makes some kind of comeback so that I can catch Charley live at some point in the near future.
May 29, 2020 @ 8:59 am
My fave record is Lil G.L.’s Blue Bonanza which is an album of covers. If you love country you HAVE to hear his versions of That’s How I Got to Memphis (Tom T. Hall) and A Dime at a Time (Del Reeves). if you’re new to Charley, start here and you’ll be hooked on his very original sound.