Charley Crockett Is Creating a Musical Legacy

Charley Crockett is carving his place in music history through vocal talent and vintage cowboy style, creating a lasting musical legacy that draws upon different subgenres at once.

His forthcoming album ‘Music City USA’ (out 17 September), features an innovative mix of roots music that tells tales from old-time Texas life that resonate with relevance in modern society.

Born in San Benito

Crockett first spent his teenage summers in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley hanging out with his uncle, an accomplished gambler and hustler. Later he busked in New Orleans and Dallas before eventually being discovered by a Manhattan-based representative from Sony Music who offered two years of management as well as recording deal.

He ultimately decided against accepting this offer and decided instead to relocate to Northern California where he worked on farms and communes while continuing to perform music. Through hard work ethic, his Blue Drifters band now tours across the country performing at events like Bonnaroo.

Backstage before his show in Brooklyn, Crockett signed posters quickly with a silver-ink Sharpie pen. I asked him about the Bay Area’s impact on his artistry and selling out major music venues; he mentioned how its earthiness impacted both his sound and style; I concurred – his music brings an authentic experience wherever it plays from BART or Telegraph Avenue in Oakland to Mendocino County tours buses.

Raised in Dallas

Crockett exudes an air of experience on stage. He confidently strides across his performances with songs from across decades at an effortless tempo that leaves little room for awkward stage banter; and has assembled an accomplished band adorned with cowboy hats and pearl snap shirts around himself.

He sings of his Texas roots with as much passion as those country legends he admires and proves that traditional country and forward-looking styles can coexist without compromise on either end of the spectrum.

Crockett spent 10 years travelling through North America, learning traditional street music in New Orleans and immersing himself in Texas sounds before settling in Austin and creating his touring band of musicians, the Blue Drifters. These musicians proudly wear Texas pride; performing all over the globe while recording albums such as $10 Cowboy and Visions of Dallas before finally creating The Man From Waco, an original Western story album in the tradition of Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger.

Signed with Thirty Tigers

Crockett may have begun his musical journey late, but no one can question its depth of artistry. For years he hitchhiked around America and busked on street corners, perfecting his throwback country soul inspired by Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Bill Withers and Hank Williams among many other artists.

His albums are self-released through Thirty Tigers distribution, giving him creative control and further refining his unique blend of modern R&B, soulful folk and genre-crossover music.

Crockett treats his sets like experiments – from Texas to London bars – treating each performance like an experiment and occasionally trying out songs that don’t quite work or abandoning some entirely, giving audiences the sense of being inside an exclusive rehearsal or witnessing an exclusive show. His casual approach to songwriting and performing makes them such loyal followers.

Performing on the streets of New Orleans

Crockett’s music is so varied it is difficult to classify him. His 2016 release A Stolen Jewel was widely lauded in Dallas and earned him critical acclaim and the Dallas Observer Music Award.

Crockett decided to settle down after years of hitchhiking, riding freight trains, and busking on street corners. He moved to Northern California where he started working odd jobs on marijuana farms while recording his music – while also starting up the Blue Drifters band that has been touring ever since.

At his concerts, Crockett makes music accessible for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. His eclectic sets feature New Orleans-style brass music as well as soulful country standards reworked. The resultant shows are fast and enjoyable with minimal time spent on awkward stage banter; his polished band is equally captivating; making you yearn for more every time they perform! And that is exactly the resultant of Crockett’s intent – leaving audiences wanting more is exactly his aim!