Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett

Summary

Consider This from NPR: Meet First-Time Grammy Nominee Charley Crockett

NPR's "Consider This" delves deep into the stories behind major news events, offering listeners insightful analyses in just 15 minutes. In the episode titled "Meet First-Time Grammy Nominee Charley Crockett," released on January 28, 2025, host Ailsa Chang introduces listeners to the rising star in the Americana music scene.

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Early Life and Heritage

Charlie Crockett's roots are steeped in Texas heritage, growing up in a modest single-wide trailer with his mother. He proudly traces his lineage back to the iconic frontiersman, Davy Crockett, emphasizing a deep connection to American history and resilience.

Ailsa Chang [00:33]: "Crockett was born and raised in Texas, grew up in a single wide trailer with his mom, and says his family lineage traces all the way back to the frontiersman Davy Crockett."

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Career Beginnings: From New Orleans to the Streets of New York

Crockett's journey into music wasn't conventional. Starting in New Orleans, he honed his craft on the streets, performing outside Café Dumont to capture the attention of both tourists and potential agents. His dedication saw him performing up to 10 hours a day, a testament to his relentless work ethic.

Charlie Crockett [02:43]: "When I first was getting off the street and out of the bars, got my first agent on the street in New Orleans... I used to do a little jig for the tourists in front of Cafe Dumont."

His move to New York City was inspired by legends like Bob Dylan. Despite initial skepticism and being called a "fool" in places like LA, Crockett's perseverance paid off as he refined his songwriting and performance skills through constant practice.

Charlie Crockett [03:30]: "I wanted to go to New York because of Bob Dylan, because I... started getting better, you know, because I was spending 10 hours a day."

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Musical Style and Visual Aesthetics

Crockett's music and visual presentation pay homage to classic Americana, blending traditional sounds with contemporary storytelling. His album covers reflect a vintage aesthetic, reminiscent of an era before digital streaming dominated the industry. This intentional design choice underscores his commitment to narrative and authenticity.

Charlie Crockett [04:12]: "I love the old records. Because he didn't have all this digital streaming and all this stuff. It was like you had to tell the story with the picture to sell it to somebody."

Musically, Crockett blends old-time arrangements with personal narratives, creating a sound that feels both timeless and fresh.

Charlie Crockett [04:37]: "It's hard luck and circumstances that brought me here."

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Grammy Nomination: Meaning and Perspective

Being nominated for his first Grammy in the Best Americana Album category for "$10 Cowboy" is a significant milestone for Crockett. However, he maintains a humble perspective, emphasizing that his journey has always been about passion over recognition.

Charlie Crockett [05:46]: "No, no, I'M honored. It's great to be recognized. I'm just saying I don't do it for that."

When pressed about the importance of the nomination amidst his extensive accomplishments, Crockett attributes the honor to his mother's pride, highlighting the personal significance beyond industry accolades.

Charlie Crockett [06:07]: "She's proud of me for sure."

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Personal Challenges and Resilience

Crockett's path hasn't been without challenges. In 2019, he underwent open-heart surgery due to a potentially fatal heart valve problem, a scare that could have ended his career prematurely. Yet, his resilience shines through as he discusses his recovery and continued commitment to music.

Charlie Crockett [06:32]: "Oh, yeah, well, I ain't pushing up daisies yet."

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Relentless Pursuit and Philosophical Outlook

With an impressive discography of 15 albums over nine years and a grueling international tour schedule, Crockett doesn't slow down. His drive stems from a deep-seated belief in constant hard work, a value ingrained in him from his American upbringing.

Charlie Crockett [06:59]: "I don't know. Because all the people I've ever related to, everybody's, like, working so hard their whole life. You kind of work so hard that, you know, you don't have kind of time to stop and take it all in."

Despite the relentless pace, Crockett expresses a fear of becoming complacent or constrained by success, choosing instead to keep pushing forward.

Charlie Crockett [07:20]: "I would hate... I'm afraid of getting fenced in."

He encapsulates his philosophy with a nod to the American work ethic, emphasizing perseverance over self-doubt.

Charlie Crockett [08:11]: "I'm going to keep swinging the hammer. I'm just going to keep doing it."

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Conclusion: Acknowledging the Journey

Ailsa Chang wraps up the conversation by congratulating Crockett on his Grammy nomination, underscoring the honor it represents regardless of his personal feelings about the awards.

Ailsa Chang [08:21]: "Well, keep swinging that hammer, Charlie Crockett. And congratulations on your first Grammy nomination."

Crockett gracefully acknowledges the support of his mother, reinforcing the personal underpinnings of his professional achievements.

Charlie Crockett [08:32]: "I'll give it to my mama if I ever get one."

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Production Credits:
Produced by Kyra Joachim and Mark Rivers
Audio Engineering by Kwesi Lee
Edited by Christopher Intagliata
Executive Producer: Sammy Yenigun

For more stories and in-depth analyses, tune into NPR's "Consider This."

Transcript

[Ailsa Chang]

The music industry's biggest night is coming this Sunday, the Grammy Awards. And today we're bringing you the story of a first time nominee. We're gonna kick things off in San Bernardino at the Llamava Resort and Casino, where we caught up with country music singer Charlie Crockett in the middle of his sound check.

[Charlie Crockett]

Hey, Mr. Nashville out there on the town. Wine em and dine em and and my plastic crown.

[Ailsa Chang]

Crockett was born and raised in Texas, grew up in a single wide trailer with his mom, and says his family lineage traces all the way back to the frontiersman Davy Crockett. Consider this. Charlie Crockett for the first time is nominated for a Grammy. He's up for best Americana album for his record, $10 Cowboy. From NPR, I'm Ilsa Chang.

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[Ailsa Chang]

It'S consider this from NPR now. I was so excited to meet Charlie Crockett. I showed up in one of my many cowgirl outfits. Charlie, I want you to take note, I wore my boots for you. I wore my cowboy hat for you.

[Charlie Crockett]

Well, you wear it well.

[Ailsa Chang]

Thank you so much. You wear it well, too, I have to say. I mean, he does. Crockett exudes country cool. The white cowboy hat, the turquoise belt, the stubble. Oh, and don't even get me started on all the gorgeous vintage country outfits he takes on the road with him. Wow, your costumes are in like a vault. Do you have a favorite jacket or jacket you forgot you owned?

[Charlie Crockett]

I wear this one a lot.

[Ailsa Chang]

Oh, I love the fringe on that.

[Charlie Crockett]

This one's nice. You don't even need to wear nothing under it. Just button it up.

[Ailsa Chang]

Oh, look at the stitching on that. My dream would be to see you wear this jacket with the leather stitching tonight with the white flower boots.

[Charlie Crockett]

Okay.

[Ailsa Chang]

But you know, my dreams don't always come true.

[Charlie Crockett]

I'm gonna give it a shot. You know, when I first when I first was getting off the street and out of the bars, got my first agent on the street in New Orleans, where I started dressing up and the main reason was being like a hobo that I was. I started dressing up so the tourists would take me serious. I used to do a little jig for the tourists in front of Cafe Dumont.

[Ailsa Chang]

But then you ended up preferring the street as your amphitheater. Like, you spent years playing in New York. Right. Also on the subway platform. In subway trains.

[Charlie Crockett]

Yeah.

[Ailsa Chang]

Ooh, honey. What was that like? Like, I'm just sort of picturing this train barreling underneath Manhattan. And you're seeing country and blues. Did you feel a little bit out of place?

[Charlie Crockett]

Yeah. Yeah. But, you know, I wanted to go to New York because of Bob Dylan, because I. His songwriting. And then slowly but surely, over a couple of years, I started getting better, you know, because I was spending. I mean, I was playing 10 hours a day.

[Ailsa Chang]

Wow, that's a lot of practice.

[Charlie Crockett]

They laughed at me in New York City, called me a fool in la. I died in Nashville, saw me coming.

[Ailsa Chang]

But wait, go to the album covers, because I want to talk about that. Your album covers have this really cool look. Vintage, classic.

[Charlie Crockett]

Yeah.

[Ailsa Chang]

What is it that you're trying to channel in these covers?

[Charlie Crockett]

I love the old records. Because he didn't have all this digital streaming and all this stuff. It was like you had to tell the story with the picture to sell it to somebody, you know, you had to summarize what you were about in a short paragraph on the back of that thing. As much as they could stuff in there.

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Yeah.

[Ailsa Chang]

Well, you know, I hear it in your sound, too. Like the arrangements in your albums. They hearken back to this older time and country.

[Charlie Crockett]

Because it's hard luck and circumstances that brought me here.

[Ailsa Chang]

How do you find the right balance between resurrecting an older style of music versus creating something new and different that you can completely call your own?

[Charlie Crockett]

Well, it's funny you should say that, because I feel like I'm at this kind of crossroads or, you know, like I'm in this kind of vortex. I'm all about making a statement more than a financial impact. Right. But, like, let's be honest here. Like, the agents, the publicists, the studios, the labels, they can tell you they're about this, that, and the third. But it's just about money. Right? And if you think it's about something else, you're gonna get bruised. I didn't lobby for a Grammy. I refuse to join the committees. I don't advertise to consider me for the Grammys. I'm not about that. I don't.

[Ailsa Chang]

Are you annoyed you got nominated?

[Charlie Crockett]

No, no, I'M honored. It's great. It's great to be recognized. I'm just saying I don't do it for that.

[Ailsa Chang]

But also, at this point in your career, I mean, you've played the ryman, you've performed with Willie Nelson, you've toured all over the world. Like, what does a Grammy nomination mean to someone who's already accomplished so much?

[Charlie Crockett]

Well, it means a whole lot to my mama.

[Ailsa Chang]

Maybe that's enough then.

[Charlie Crockett]

Yeah, yeah, she's proud of me for sure.

[Ailsa Chang]

You know, something your mama might be thinking about is the pace of your life right now, though. I read earlier in your career, the more you toured, the worse you felt like you would get tired, dizzy, out of breath. And it turned out you had this potentially fatal heart valve problem, so you had open heart surgery back in 2019. By the way, how are you feeling today?

[Charlie Crockett]

Oh, yeah, well, I ain't pushing up daisies yet.

[Ailsa Chang]

Okay, but you are, like, not slowing down at all. I was looking like, you, what, you put up 15 albums in the last nine years, and then your tour schedule this past year, every single month, you are performing somewhere, and we're talking about, like, Australia, the uk, Canada.

[Charlie Crockett]

I was out for four months straight last summer.

[Ailsa Chang]

So why are you moving at such a rapid, ferocious pace?

[Charlie Crockett]

Yeah, I don't know. Because all the people I've ever related to, everybody's, like, working so hard their whole life. You kind of work so hard that, you know, you don't have kind of time to stop and take it all in, you know? And.

[Ailsa Chang]

And are you afraid to stop?

[Charlie Crockett]

Yeah.

[Ailsa Chang]

Why?

[Charlie Crockett]

I would hate. I guess I'm. I'm afraid of getting fenced in. You know, as you move in further into this business, you know, the. The ticket sales go up, the ticket price goes way up. I can tell you it puts a pressure on you to be like, well, I need to do something more.

[Ailsa Chang]

Gosh. So you make it sound like making it as an artist means constantly feeling inadequate.

[Charlie Crockett]

Oh, I didn't mean to put it.

[Ailsa Chang]

You're never enough.

[Charlie Crockett]

Didn't mean to put it like that. But, I mean, you could just say that's what it feels to be American.

America. I just keep working. Doesn't matter how I. I feel. America, it's been said that my whole life is in your hands.

Right? Well, that's what we're taught to do. You know, you got to work. You got to swing that hammer. And you know what? I'm not mad about that. I'm going to keep swinging the hammer. I'm just going to Keep doing it.

[Ailsa Chang]

Well, keep swinging that hammer, Charlie Crockett. And congratulations on your first Grammy nomination. No matter how you feel about the Grammys, seriously, congratulations.

[Charlie Crockett]

I'll give it to my mama if I ever get one.

[Ailsa Chang]

It was so great talking to you. Thank you.

[Charlie Crockett]

Pleasure's all mine, America. You know why can be hard to understand.

[Ailsa Chang]

Charlie Crockett up for the Grammy Award for best Americana album. This episode was produced by Kyra Joachim and Mark Rivers with audio engineering by Kwesi Lee. It was edited by Christopher Intagliata. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Ailsa Chang.

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