The Story of Charley Crockett

Charley Crockett has made waves in the music world since 2015 with his distinctive, mellifluous voice and distant familial links to Davy Crockett. Since then he’s released albums such as 2020’s Lonesome as a Shadow and this year’s Welcome to Hard Times – notching up multiple awards along the way.

He traverses genres freely, unashamed to take inspiration from them all at the same time.

Born in San Benito

Crockett has had an eventful life. He spent much of his 20s traveling as a troubadour, writing songs on street corners from New Orleans to Paris and almost landing himself in jail for marijuana possession; but was released when showing the judge A Stolen Jewel – his first album release.

His music recalls those who have helped shape the mythologies surrounding roots music and American western history, such as Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams and Lightnin’ Hopkins. With years of travel under his belt and still moving steadily forward he remains true to himself and continues his relentless path.

Charley Crockett is married, and often shares photos of his wife on social media. Though details about her background remain private, she plays an instrumental role in his professional success and manages both their personal and professional lives by setting boundaries and prioritizing time together – leading them both toward reaching their goals together.

Raised in Dallas

Charley Crockett’s songs may sound traditional–such as an old hobo’s lullaby, Samuel Clemens tale, or Davy Crockett folklore–because that is exactly where his inspiration stems. As the son of migrant workers, Charley spent years “hoboing” (his word) across North America, Europe, and Morocco.

He found himself drawn to Northern California, with its thick forest cover, tobacco growing on trees, and cops wearing wooden legs – places which resonated deeply with him.

At 19, he became embroiled in an unwitting stock fraud scheme that could have sent him behind bars forever. To escape, he hit the road, playing guitar chords on street corners in Dallas and Austin before spending a year in Mendocino Country to recharge and make music once again. From Mendocino Country came offers for club residencies, photo shoots, Gibson guitars, and free copies of his record!

Traveled the country

Charley Crockett’s life story is one of wild improbability, from hitchhiking and train-hopping in his teens to busking apprenticeships in New Orleans, rural Morocco, and Paris. Additionally, he engaged in a multimillion-dollar stock fraud scheme while running large loads of marijuana across the country in order to finance his early recordings.

Yet none of it fazes him; at his best he’s an unrivaled master of storytelling on stage and an undeniable force to reckon with.

No wonder he has become one of the most beloved acts in Austin. Touring non-stop with his Blue Drifters backing band, his music blends Texas country and Louisiana blues roots with border town brass and honky tonk piano; all echoing Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Lightnin’ Hopkins and other artists who traversed America without financial security or close.

Made a name for himself

He had long confined himself to small-batch open mics and select clubs where his presence garnered polite applause from an enthusiastic audience. But some well-placed phone calls changed that; one agent set up club residencies, photo shoots, Gibson guitars, merch deals and distribution deals through Thirty Tigers Management & Distribution company which managed Sturgill Simpson and Patty Griffin among many other artists.

Crockett took his business lessons learned in New York and applied them to Deep Ellum, where his music is as much a commodity as anything. He jam-packed sets with songs spanning his catalog without pausing for awkward stage banter; using the same polished band every night.

All these factors make him sound like someone who understands country and roots music without needing help from outside sources, which his fans appreciate.