Charley Crockett was born in 1984 in San Benito, South Texas, the hometown of Freddy Fender, at a time when I was watching, on french TV, the series inspired by the story of his distant ancestor, Davy Crockett.
Five years have passed since his self-released debut LP, “A Stolen Jewel”, and during this period of time, Charley Crockett released no less than 8 albums, various of them via Thirty Tigers. After a successful open heart surgery in the early 2019, the Texan artist remains particularly prolific, with the release of the brilliant “The Valley“, in September of 2019, the excellent “Field Recordings Vol 1” in April of 2020 recorded in Mendocino county, California, and the wonderful “Welcome to Hard Times” on July 31st of 2020, probably his best work so far.
“Welcome to Hard Times“, named in reference to the 1967 Burt Kennedy’s western movie, with Henry Fonda, is a fantastic album with its 13 brilliant songs, including 12 original songs, written by Charley Crockett, and a great cover of Louisiana artist Red Lane, “Blackjack County Chain“.
But “Welcome to Hard Times” is not the only album released by the South Texan artist this year. In April, he also relased the amazing “Field Recordings Vol 1“, that includes 30 recordings, some of them being unreleased songs and the others great covers.
Charley Crockett is Country Music France’s artist of the year, not only because “Welcome to Hard Times” and “Field Recordings Vol 1” are two of the most brilliant albums relased this year, but also for the authenticity of the Texan artist. Charley Crockett’s songs are true because he lived all that he writes and sings, in Texas, Louisiana, New York, California, France, Spain or Morocco. If you love real country and true American roots music, just listen to Charley Crockett. He’s the embodiment of country music and his songs are the quintessence of the genre.
Nicolas Davelu
Country Music France 