Charley Crockett

Charley Crockett hails from Texas but has traveled widely. His love of mixing genres can be heard on his albums: border-town brass meet honky-tonk piano; tumbleweed-covered gunslinger ballads meet Bayou jazz.

Born in San Benito, he grew up on farmwork towns such as South Padre Island and Los Fresnos before moving with his single mom to Dallas where he played freestyle guitar on street corners and nightclub men’s rooms for change.

He’s a Texas boy

As a youngster, Crockett accidentally fell into music by chance. His mother purchased him a guitar at a pawn shop and taught himself by ear. Early busking experiences in New Orleans, Dallas and Europe broadened his musical repertoire and refined his artistic talents.

Songs written by Anthony are inspired by his family values and experiences that have helped form his world view. Recent health challenges, including open heart surgery, have only strengthened his determination to produce and perform his music.

Crockett’s journey from street to stage is an inspirational tale of perseverance and determination, evidenced in his latest album The Man from Waco. Touring with both Turnpike Troubadours and Lucero has cemented Crockett as an indie fan favorite, while making headlines for his unique storytelling abilities and unique style; his musical influences range from country, blues, soul music and beyond.

He’s a Texan boy

Charley Crockett learned music as a street performer, learning songs and honing his craft without the benefit of stage or audience. His unique interpretations of blues and classic country owe much to his experience on the road; similar itinerant artists like Woody Guthrie and Mark Twain traveled around homeless or near it to gain inspiration for their art.

Years of hitchhiking and train-hopping across the US, Europe and rural Morocco has given him an extensive knowledge of traditional American folk music that he uses to craft an approachable yet non-derivative style of his own.

At his shows, he performs songs without stopping for banter, keeping audiences entranced with shimmying stage charisma. His latest album was recorded at Austin promoter Jon Folk and partner David Macias’ studio The Bunker; these men have long supported other up-and-coming Texas talent and helped form his touring machine–playing an average of 280 shows annually with his Blue Drifters backing band.

He’s a country boy

Crockett stands out in an age where so many artists strive for today’s musical trend; his style reveals its old-fashioned roots. Clean but not oversanitized and analogue yet not outdated, his albums of Texas story songs combine East Texas blues, border Tex-Mex, classic honky tonk and Louisiana soul in their soundscapes.

Some listeners find fault with his music’s departure from traditional country principles without adhering to their rhythms and melodies. It is an ongoing debate echoed by criticism leveled at Garth Brooks’ stadium-ready bro country which seemed alienating to fans raised on Merle Haggard music.

Others point out his extraordinary life story, which reads like an overblown Hollywood script: hitchhiking and train-hopping for 10 years; serving time for multimillion dollar stock fraud scheme; lifesaving open heart surgery and high stakes runs with law. All these experiences give his stories urgency while adding authenticity.

He’s a soul boy

Crockett’s music stands in the tradition of The Black Keys and Leon Bridges in providing classic American tales, telling of lovers, losers and leavers from our shared mythology. Drawing from deep wells of pain to revisit themes with blunt clarity; his latest album provides welcome diversity within genre.

Some critics question Crockett’s background, including years spent hitchhiking and train-hopping, an elaborate multimillion-dollar stock fraud scheme and numerous brushes with law. Others point out his remarkable live performances and impressive story-spinning. From honky tonk to straight soul music, his songs exude genuine emotion that transcends music industry trappings. A Stolen Jewel was recorded that winter at a Mendocino County ganja farm cabin where friends regularly dropped by to use his basic home studio for track recordings.