Craig Campbell
Feed the Band
Our interview with
Craig Campbell
Patrick L.
If you have been following us on social media, our website or know me personally, you know that I come from a very small town here in Florida. There are a plethora of country songs that relate to small towns with one traffic light. My town did not even have that to add sustenance to a country song when I was growing up. What we did have were cows, oranges, hay fields and people who liked a simpler way of life. Your neighbors were always giving you homemade food or a friendly wave as you drove by. It’s a life that I sometimes feel country music is pulling away from. Our next artist grew up in a similar way and his music reflects small towns and the people of those towns who dot this country of ours. He represents what country music should always be.
Craig Campbell is someone who ticks every box for a good ol’ boy. He is dedicated to his faith and family. He knows how to work hard and then play hard after the work’s done. I could easily drop him in my town and it would be like he is wearing the best camo money could buy. Craig would just blend in. However, blending in is not a goal of a rising country artist. In today’s world, it is the fact that Craig Campbell blends in, that makes him stand out.
Craig Campbell’s roots are set so deep in country music that the onslaught of temporary fads don’t toss him around like many new artists. That’s not saying he has nothing new to bring to the table, but that his music will always be honest and relatable. His music can be genre bending, but at the core, country is his firm foundation.
The proof is in his music. He doesn’t try to be everything to everybody; he simply tries to be himself. By doing that, people like myself are able to relate. The perfect example of this is his heartfelt single ”Outskirts of Heaven”. Listening to that song reminds me so much of my father. In a way, it feels like it brings him down from Heaven for just a few minutes. There are very few songs like this that have impacted me and reflected such a vivid story. It is this connection to real everyday people that makes Craig Campbell stand out in a very authentic way.
We had the opportunity to spend time with Craig Campbell over the past couple of months. The more time I spend with him, the more I get the feeling he is a long, lost member of the family. This feeling made Craig an easy addition to Southern Fellow.
Now, let’s get to the interview and be sure to check out the recipes, too. We created one around Craig and the other is something from my family. You can locate our giveaway at the bottom of the interview. Let’s get to it! Here is our interview with Mr. Craig Campbell.
Tell us about your road to Nashville.
From the time I was 15, I knew I wanted to be on stage the rest of my life. After graduating high school, I took a job as a correctional officer for about 2 years. All the while, I was looking for any bar with a stage to sing on when I was off work. In 2002 I made the decision to make the move to Nashville. After moving to Music City, I had some really cool jobs/gigs. I played piano for Luke Bryan and Tracy Byrd on the road. At the same time I was playing music on Lower Broadway in Nashville; writing songs, and singing demos for other songwriters, to make ends meet. While playing at The Stage, I was discovered by a radio promotion executive. He introduced me to producer Keith Stegall and after a year of negotiations, I signed my first deal with Bigger Picture Group. A year later, I released my first song, Family Man. The rest is history.
Describe the perfect country song.
That song would be truthful, inspiring and moving all at the same time.
If you could not play music, what do you think you would be doing?
I love building things. I enjoy watching a project come together. With that said, I would probably be in custom construction.
How do you balance your family and music career?
Unfortunately, we have been living this life long enough now that we are used to it. I am home a lot and I also make sure not to miss anything important. We are blessed to have technology to stay in touch with each other so that helps.
We are always developing recipes here at Southern Fellow; when writing music, what recipe do you use?
I am an idea guy. I have ideas pop up in my head with the story attached. I then take that idea to songwriter friends of mine that I feel would be the best to bring that story together with music and melody.
What risks are worth taken?
Every risk is worth taking if it’s something you’re passionate about. Waking up every day knowing I get to play music for a living is the reward to the risk I took moving to Nashville and it was absolutely worth it.
What is your first fond memory of food?
My mama makes cornbread that is so thin and crispy that you can see through it. That with a fresh pot of mustard greens is divine and that is a very fond memory of mine from way back!
If Southern Fellow could develop a recipe for you, what would it be?
It would definitely involve steak, potatoes, mustard greens and sweet tea!
If you wrote a song about food, what would it be about?
It would be about being a superhero that could eat anything he wanted with no limit on how much and never gain a pound!
Try these inspired recipes!
Beer Braised Greens
Our Secret Family BBQ Sauce
What does the coming year look like for you?
The coming year is looking good. Touring is up pretty good. I just got back from Europe and will probably go back to Australia this fall. I am also working on new music that should be out very soon as well.
What is something you think everyone should do once in their lives?
I think everyone should take a tour of St Jude in Memphis. It is life changing. Oh…and come to a Craig Campbell show 😉
Your EP “See You Try” is fantastic. What is your favorite song off the album?
That is a difficult question. They are all my favorites! If I had to pick one it would be Outskirts Of Heaven. That is why there are two versions of it on there.
What hobby or interest do you have that most people do not know about?
I love being outdoors. From ATV riding to clay shooting to hunting, I love being outdoors.
Is there anything else you want your family at Southern Fellow to know?
My life is an open book. I post a lot about life, family and music on my social media. I want people to know my family as much as they know me; so find me and follow.
That is Craig Campbell. We would like to thank him for spending some time with us. If you get a chance, welcome him to the Southern Fellow family. He will be happy to hear from you. Time to update that playlist. You can find all of Craig Campbell’s music on your favorite music service including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and YouTube. There are quite a few songs that deserve your attention. Give our delicious recipes a try and enter in that giveaway below. Thank you for tuning in to Feed the Band here at Southern Fellow. We’ll catch you next time.
