Eight albums since May 2015 – Charley Crockett is definitely not a singer-songwriter who is tired of publishing music. The eighth album of this series of records (and his eighth album overall is Welcome To Hard Times, released on 31st July 2020. Here is my review.
Charley Crockett – About The Artist
Charley Crockett was born in 1984 in San Benito, Texas. He is indeed a distant relative of Davy Crockett. The family moved to Dallas quite soon after Crockett’s birth. At the age of 17, he decided to travel around the States with his guitar. He was writing his own songs from the very beginning. Even though nowadays, he is doing a mixture of blues and country, he also has been influenced by hip hop in his younger years. After having some legal trouble for possessing cannabis, he finally released his debut album, A Stolen Jeweil, in May 2015. While his first three albums did not lead to chart placements, the 2018 Lonesome as a Shadow made it the the fourteenth spot of the US Heat charts. The following album, Lil G.L.’s Blue Bonanza, also made it to the US Blues charts.
Charley Crockett – Welcome To Hard Times – Track by Track
The 13 track album lasts 41 minutes.
1. Welcome To Hard Times
The album starts with the title track. Very traditional sound, very present vocals – a way of storytelling, which just makes you listen. Nice one to start the album with.
2. Run Horse Run
The second track is significantly more rhythmic and also quicker. The light drum play makes you want to move. Nice one!
3. Don’t Cry
Don’t Cry is the third of three tracks at the start of the album, which Charley Crockett already released before 31st July 2020. The song is rhythmic, but still feels very much like a ballad. A strong touch of bluegrass in it as well. The best of the three songs at the beginning to me.
4. Tennessee Special
Tennessee Special nicely connects in its sound to the song before. I have to admit, though, that I feel that Crockett is a bit unprecise in his voice here and there in this song.
5. Fool Somebody Else
Fool Somebody Else has a strong touch of blues. Crockett’s strong weapons in music are his storytelling and this amazing, deep, full voice. Love to listen to him – even if he is sometimes rather narrating than singing his stories.
6. Lilly My Dear
A rather slow track to sway. Feels a bit like a typical western movie saloon song to me.I leave it up to you to judge on it…
7. Wreck Me
Wreck Me is very slow and melancholic. Even the steel guitar is squeaking sadly to the story. The depression just lasts a bit less than 2:30 minutes, though.
8. Heads You Win
Heads You win // Tails I loose – the track is definitely more lively than the song before. A nice song, in which I also love the vocals very much.
9. Rainin’ in My Heart
The ninth song of the album rather feels like a blues-rock track. Really love to listen to it, it is definitely one of my favorites on this album. Nice groove as well.
10. Paint It Blue
Paint It Blue definitely stays in the blues genre. The track just does not touch me as much as the track before.The track becomes stronger to me towards the end.
11. Blackjack County Chain
A monotonous rhythm, some guitars and the story. Impressive songs can be very easily. Blackjack County Chain is one of those.
12. The Man That Time Forgot
These kind of tracks even have a touch of the slower tracks of Elvis Presley to me. Crockett’s voice is just so good – hard not to listen to him.
13. The Poplar Tree
The album finishes with a bit of a happier mood. Definitely one of the best songs of the thirteen tracks is coming at their end. Cool!
Charley Crockett – Welcome To Hard Times – Spotify
Here is the Spotify widget to the album:
Charley Crockett – Welcome To Hard Times – My View
Welcome To Hard Times starts very promising – and the mixture of blues, country and rock is definitely unique and catching – on top of Crockett’s amazing voice. Finally, the remaining songs do not make the album a top one, but it is definitely a nice collection of songs and stories – and Crockett’s fans will love it!
US-American Media Reviews
Here are all other music and other media reviews about bands originated in the USA:

Soccer Mommy – Karaoke Night EP

Brent Cobb – Southern Star

Thirty Seconds To Mars – It’s The End Of The World But It’s A Beautiful Day

Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses

Low Cut Connie – Art Dealers

Durry – Suburban Legend

Coffey Anderson – Tailgates and Heartbreaks

Alice Cooper – Road

Morgan Wade – Psychopath

Turnpike Troubadours – A Cat In The Rain

Tim McGraw – Standing Room Only

Bobby Rush – All My Love For You

Atreyu – The Moment You Find Your Flame EP

William Fitzsimmons – Covers Vol. II

Daniel Seavey – Dancing In The Dark EP

Ryan Bingham – Watch Out For The Wolf EP

Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II

Kool & the Gang – People Just Wanna Have Fun

Justine Blazer – Joy!

Joe Lasher – Vol. 1 EP

Somnuri – Desiderium

Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway – City of Gold

Lori McKenna – 1988

Michael Bolton – Spark of Light

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Sticks and Stones

Sean Patrick McGraw – Hillbilly Hippie

1476 – In Exile

Lucinda Williams – Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart

Ayron Jones – Chronicles Of The Kid

Hannah Aldridge – Dream of America

Son Volt – Day of the Doug

Steve Lukather – Bridges

Deer Tick – Emotional Contracts

Extreme – Six

Ray Alder – II

Brittany Warthan – No Vacancy

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – What If I EP

Ron Pope – Inside Voices

Oryad – Sacred & Profane

Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton – Death Wish Blues

Brandy Clark – Brandy Clark

Daisy Briggs – Nice Knowing You EP

Parker Millsap – Wilderness Within You

Belinda Carlisle – Kismet EP

Rodney Crowell – The Chicago Sessions

Enforced – War Remains

Dave Hause – Drive It Like It’s Stolen

Esther Rose – Safe To Run

Texas Hippie Coalition – The Name Lives On

Dirty Heads – Midnight Control Sessions: Night 2 EP

The Wood Brothers – Heart is the Hero

Jennifer K. Austin – Cards EP

Welshly Arms – Wasted Words & Bad Decisions

Overcoats – Winner

The Hold Steady – The Price of Progress

Sophie B. Hawkins – Free Myself

Night Demon – Outsider

Stephen Jay – understatement

Timesbold – Not Still Here

John Diva & The Rockets of Love – The Big Easy

Ripe – Bright Blues

The Nude Party – Rides On

Manchester Orchestra – The Valley of Vision EP

Brian Falduto – Gay Country

Suicide Silence – Remember… You Must Die

Drayton Farley- Twenty on High

Steel Panther – On The Prowl

Dierks Bentley – Gravel & Gold

Lucero – Should’ve Learned by Now


Jaimee Harris – Boomerang Town


P!nk – Trustfall


Tennis – Pollen


Cort Carpenter – All In


Chase Rice – I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell


Ian Fisher – Burnt Tongue


Joe Henry – All The Eye Can See


Richard Lynch – Radio Friend


Black Star Riders – Wrong Side of Paradise


Margo Price – Strays


Iggy Pop – Every Loser


Anti-Flag – Lies They Tell Our Children


Gabbie Hanna – This Time Next Year


Adam Warner – What We’re Known For


Upsahl – Sagittarius EP


Myle – Sad Boy Summer EP


Melissa Carper – Ramblin’ Soul


Billy Strings – Me/And/Dad


L.S. Dunes – Past Lives


Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver (Various Artists)


Seth Avett – Seth Avett Sings Greg Brown


Stephanie Quayle – On The Edge


The Moon City Masters – The Famous Moon City Masters


Tiffany Johnson – Over Emotional EP


Emily Nenni – On The Ranch


Russell Dickerson – Russell Dickerson


Trampled by Turtles – Alpenglow


Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country


The Backseat Lovers – Waiting To Spill


Kenny Foster – Somewhere in Middle America


Debbie Gibson – Winterlicious


Taylor Swift – Midnights


Alex Williams – Waging Peace


Alter Bridge – Pawns And Kings


Logan Mize – Prairie Tapes, Vol. 1 EP


Callista Clark – Real To Me: The Way I Feel


Backstreet Boys – A Very Backstreet Christmas


Avery Anna – Mood Swings EP


Slipknot – The End, So Far


Ashley McBryde – Lindeville


Richard Marx – Songwriter


Dr. John – Things Happen That Way


Sunny Sweeney – Married Alone


Kelsea Ballerini – Subject To Change


Nikki Lane – Denim & Diamonds


Starcrawler – She Said


LeAnn Rimes – God’s Work


The Afghan Whigs – How Do You Burn?


Kane Brown – Different Man


I Am – Eternal Steel


Charley Crockett – The Man From Waco


Jon Pardi – Mr. Saturday Night


Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying… and The Dead!


Ingrid Andress – Good Person


Bandaid Brigade – Sex is Terrifying


David Paich – Forgotten Toys


Watkins Family Hour – Vol. 2


Jeremy Black – Part of Me EP


Kelsey Waldon – No Regular Dog


Wade Bowen – Somewhere Between The Secret and The Truth


Lauv – All 4 Nothing


Amanda Shires – Take It Like A Man


Brooke Eden – Choosing You EP


Whiskey Myers – Tornillo


She & Him – Melt Away: A Tribute To Brian Wilson


Dawes – Misadventures Of Doomscroller


Kaylee Rose – Hot Minute EP


Confirmation – Survive EP


The Local Honeys – The Local Honeys


Kimberly Kelly – I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen


Journey – Freedom


Jonny Houlihan – Coffee and Jesus


Grey Daze – The Phoenix


Kylie Morgan – P.S. EP


G. Love & Special Sauce – Philadelphia Mississippi


Luke Combs – Growin’ Up


Rachel LaRen – Cowboys Don’t Change EP


Hank Williams Jr. – Rich White Honky Blues


Brett Eldredge – Songs About You


Motionless In White – Scoring The End Of The World


Carrie Underwood – Denim & Rhinestones


Kyle Daniel – Following the Rain


Jillian Jacqueline – Honestly


Craig Finn – A Legacy Of Rentals


Avi Kaplan – Floating On A Dream


mxmtoon – rising


49 Winchester – Fortune Favors The Bold


Aaron Raitiere – Single Wide Dreamer


Midland – The Last Resort: Greetings From


Dana Fuchs – Borrowed Time


Stephen Jay – Vita Beata


Charley Crockett – Lil’ G.L. Presents: Jukebox Charley


Old Crow Medicine Show – Paint This Town


Joshua Hedley – Neon Blue


Sophia Bel – Anxious Avoidant


Cole Swindell – Stereotype


Caitlyn Smith – High


Papa Roach – Ego Trip


Joe Satriani – The Elephants of Mars


Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Spencer Gets It Lit


Paul Cauthen – Country Coming Down


Ian Noe – River Fools & Mountain Saints


Maren Morris – Humble Quest


Tiffany Woys – All About Love EP


Doug Adkins – A Cowboys’ Life


Sunrunner – Sacred Arts of Navigation


Dolly Parton – Run, Rose, Run


Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs – External Combustion


Crowbar – Zero and Below


The Dip – Sticking With It


Lo Moon – Modern Life


Bernard Allison – Highs & Lows


Corey Taylor – CMFB… Sides EP


Curtis Stigers – This Life


Shovels & Rope – Manticore


Matt Pike – Pike vs the Automaton


Michael Lane – Take It Slow


Sarah Shook & The Disarmers – Nightroamer


Goodbye June – See Where The Night Goes


Urge Overkill – Oui


Once Human – Scar Weaver


Boulevards – Electric Cowboy: Born in Carolina Mud


Amos Lee – Dreamland


Priscilla Block – Welcome To The Block Party


Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – 4


Dustin Lynch – Blue In The Sky


Jeffrey Mitchell Ross – Waited A Long Time


Erin Rae – Lighten Up


Marissa Nadler – The Wrath Of The Clouds EP


Muscadine Bloodline – Dispatch to 16th Ave.


North Mississippi Allstars – Set Sail


Brent Cobb – And Now, Let’s Turn The Page


Katie Henry – On My Way


Greensky Bluegrass – Stress Dreams


Keb’ Mo’ – Good To Be …


Great American Ghost – Torture World EP


Conner Smith – Didn’t Go Too Far EP


Noah Guthrie – Blue Wall



Skillet – Dominion


Jamestown Revival – Young Man


Jacob Bryant – Bar Stool Preacher


Ryan Montgomery – Chasing Sunsets EP


Rachel Bradshaw – Rachel Bradshaw EP


Matt Moeller – Where We Used To Be EP


Carolyn Miller – Thank You EP


Tom Morello – The Atlas Underground Flood


Nick Walker – It’s All South From Here EP


X: THC – Fall Down Seven Times, Rise Up Eight


Lucinda Williams – Have Yourself A Rockin’ Little Christmas (Lu’s Jukebox Vol. 5)


Wade Bowen – Where Phones Don’t Work EP


Armanda Shires – For Christmas


Gov’t Mule – Heavy Load Blues


Michael Patrick Kelly – B.O.A.T.S


Jason Aldean – Macon


Steve Perry – The Season


Houndmouth – Good For You


Emily Scott Robinson – American Siren


Brett Eldredge – Mr. Christmas


Dave Hause – Blood Harmony


SixForty1 – Started Right Here EP


Alcatrazz – V


Ryan Hurd – Pelago


Cassadee Pope – Thrive


Tom Morello – The Atlas Underground Fire


Toby Keith – Peso In My Pocket


Noah Gundersen – A Pillar of Salt


Josh Turner – King Size Manger


Creeping Death – The Edge of Existence EP


Crystal Leigh – Trading Skylines EP


The Record Company – Play Loud


Strand Of Oaks – In Heaven


Logan Mize – Welcome To Prairieville


Angels & Airwaves – Lifeforms


Billy Strings – Renewal


Nox Holloway – If Only The World Didn’t Spin So Much EP


Taylor McCall – Black Powder Soul


Charley Crockett – Music City USA


Heartless Bastards – A Beautiful Life


Kacey Musgraves – Star-Crossed


Samantha Fish – Faster


Mitchell Tenpenny – Midtown Diaries EP


Riddy Arman – Riddy Arman


Liz Cooper – Hot Sass


Ashland Craft – Travelin’ Kind


David Hasselhoff – Party Your Hasselhoff


Echo Bloom – Wake


King Calaway – Midnight EP


Ashley Cooke – Already Drank That Beer Side A


The Bronx – Bronx VI


All Good Things – A Hope In Hell


Shannon And The Clams – Year Of The Spider


Martha Wainwright – Love Will Be Reborn


Kool & The Gang – Perfect Union


James McMurtry – The Horses And The Hounds


Watchhouse – Watchhouse


Dan + Shay – Good Things


The Killers – Pressure Machine


Paul Thorn – Never Too Late To Call


Willy Mason – Already Dead


Chris Young – Famous Friends


Laci Kaye Booth – Laci Kaye Booth


Leah Blevins – First Time Feeling


Torres – Thirstier


Jim Lauderdale – Hope


Grizfolk – Grizfolk


Son Volt – Electro Melodier


Ryan Kinder – Room To Dream


Prince – Welcome 2 America


Clay Walker – Texas To Tennessee


Los Lobos – Native Sons


Joshua Radin – The Ghost and The Wall


Molly Burch – Romantic Images


Rodney Crowell – Triage


Charlie Worsham – Sugarcane EP


Charli Adams – Bullseye


Midland – The Last Resort EP


Lucinda Williams – Lu’s Jukebox Vol. 2 – Southern Soul: From Memphis To Muscle Shoals


Callie Twisselman – Closure EP


The Flatlanders – Treasure Of Love


Lauren Jenkins – Miles On Me, Part 1 EP


The Wallflowers – Exit Wounds


Riley Green – Behind The Bar EP


Brent Moyer – Song Rider


William Fitzsimmons – Ready The Astronaut


Vincent Neil Emerson – Vincent Neil Emerson


Gary Allan – Ruthless


Toto – With A Little Help From My Friends


Buckcherry – Hellbound


Amythyst Kiah – Wary + Strange


Maroon 5 – Jordi


Kylie Morgan – Love, Kylie EP


Joe Bonamassa – Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman


Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real – A Few Stars Apart


Walker Hayes – Country Stuff EP


Gary Louris – Jump For Joy


Brett Young – Weekends Look A Little Different These Days


Andrew Jannakos – Gone Too Soon EP


Brynn Cartelli – Based On A True Story EP


Southerland – Boot Up EP


Lori Rayne – 1926 EP


Blackberry Smoke – You Hear Georgia


John Hiatt With The Jerry Douglas Band – Leftover Feelings


Jordan Davis – Buy Dirt EP


Pop Evil – Versatile


Blake Shelton – Body Laguage


Oliver Wood – Always Smilin’


Jesse Keith Whitley – Breakin’ Ground


Myles Kennedy – The Ides of March


Dillon Carmichael – Hot Beer EP


Alan Jackson – Where Have You Gone


Levara – Levara


The Steel Woods – All Of Your Stones


Weezer – Van Weezer


Travis Tritt – Set In Stone


Mighty Oaks – Mexico


Matt Castillo – How The River Flows EP


Stef – A Glitch in our Virtual Reality EP


Thomas Rhett – Country Again: Side A


Priscilla Block – Priscilla Block EP


Ronnie Milsap – A Better Word For Love


Ashley Monroe – Rosegold



Todd Snider – First Agnostic Church of Hope And Wonder


Elvie Shane – County Roads EP


Adam Douglas – Better Angels


Justin Moore – Straight Outta The Country


Vanessa Peters – Modern Age


Carver Louis – Take Off EP


Eric Church – Soul


The Offspring – Let The Bad Times Roll


Eric Church – &


Eric Church – Heart


Fancy Hagood – Southern Curiosity


Skullcrusher – Storm in Summer EP


Parker Millsap – Be Here Instead


Cheap Trick – In Another World


Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Dance Songs For The Hard Times


Canaan Smith – High Country Sound


Leslie Jordan – Company’s Comin’


Tyler Braden – What Do They Know EP


Adrian Smith & Richie Kotzen – Smith / Kotzen


Carrie Underwood – My Savior


Esther Rose – How Many Times


Evanescence – The Bitter Truth


The L.A. Maybe – Dirty Damn Tricks


Sara Watkins – Under The Pepper Tree


Midland – The Sonic Ranch


Maite Kelly – Hello!


Loretta Lynn – Still Woman Enough


Morgan Wade – Reckless


Frances Luke Accord – Sunnyside EP


Blackmore’s Night – Nature’s Light


Joey Hendricks – Between The Clouds EP


Israel Nash – Topaz


The Paper Kites – Roses


A Day To Remember – You’re Welcome


Alyssa Trahan – Baby Blues & Stilettos


Ron Gallo – Peacemeal


Jimbo Mathus & Andrew Bird – These 13


Track 45 – Big Dreams EP


Adam Warner – Big Storm


Hayden Joseph – Different


Willie Nelson – That’s Life


Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories


Bones Owens – Bones Owens


Ally Venable – Heart Of Fire


Ben Rice – Future Pretend


Cassadra Jenkins – An Overview On Phenomenal Nature EP


Adam Hambrick – The Flipsides EP


Damon Johnson & The Get Ready – Battle Lessons


Carly Pearce – 29 EP


Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – Hunter And The Dog Star


Lainey Wilson – Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’


Haley Mae Campbell – Growing Up EP


Tobacco Rd Band – Worth Fighting For


Florida Georgia Line – Life Rolls On


Pentatonix – The Lucky Ones


Colton Chapman – Can’t Hide The Truth EP


Alex Hall – Six Strings EP


Aaron Lee Tasjan – Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!


Accept – Too Mean To Die


Daniel Holmes – Dead End Town



Lucero – When You Found Me


Jake Hoot – Love Out Of Time EP


Langhorne Slim – Strawberry Mansion


Logan Mize – Still That Kid


Matt Wynn – Matt Wynn EP


Jimmy Weber – Black & Blue Heart


Willie Jones – Right Now


John Diva & The Rockets Of Love – American Amadeus


Devin Dawson – The Pink Slip EP


Whitney Duncan – Heartbreaker EP


Morgan Wallen – Dangerous – The Double Album


Colby Keeling – Catch Me If You Can EP


Aaron Watson – American Soul


Understanding Train Station – A Podcast on Living Abroad and Cultural Differences


Bella Lambert – Memories EP


Tanner Sparks – Living A Nightmare


Steve Earle & The Dukes – J.T.


Bret Mullins – Kiss The Girl


Taylor Swift – evermore


Cody Weaver – Southern Noise EP


Gone Is Gone – If Everything Happens For A Reason… Then Nothing Really Matters At All


Russell Dickerson – Southern Symphony


Jennifer K. Austin – Journey


Brian Callihan – Brian Callihan


Granger Smith – Country Things, Vol. 2


Miley Cyrus – Plastic Hearts


Clutch – Weathermaker Vault Series Vol. I


Garth Brooks – Fun


Larkin Poe – Kindred Spirits


Ward Davis – Black Cats and Crows


Lee Brice – Hey World


Shenandoah – Every Road


Kameron Marlowe – EP


Chris Stapleton – Starting Over


Easton Corbin – Didn’t Miss A Beat EP


Jojo – December Baby


Meghan Trainor – A Very Trainor Christmas


Joe Bonamassa – Royal Tea


Charlotte Ave – Women of Country


The Cadillac Three – Tabasco and Sweet Tea


The Boxmasters – Light Rays


Runaway June – When I Think About Christmas


Matt Stell – Better Than That EP


Trace Adkins – Ain’t That Kind Of Cowboy EP


Low Cut Connie – Private Lives


Patty Smyth – It’s About Time


Austin Michael – Austin Michael


Brothers Osborne – Skeletons


Darlingside – Fish Pond Fish


Drew Haley – Wildflower EP


Jordan Brooker – The Young Troubadour’s Almanac


mxmtoon – dusk EP


Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi 2020


Dolly Parton – A Holly Dolly Christmas


Dawes – Good Luck With Whatever


The Nude Party – Midnight Manor


Brent Cobb – Keep ’em on They Toes


Carrie Underwood – My Gift


Diana DeMuth – Misadventure


Granger Smith – Country Things, Vol. 1


Smith & Wesley – Greetings From The Land of Y’All


Ava Max – Heaven and Hell


Joan Osborne – Trouble and Strife


Ace Frehley – Origins Vol. 2


Elizabeth Cook – Aftermath


Mickey Guyton – Bridges EP


Delta Spirit – What is There


Hardy – A Rock


Lauren Alaina – Getting Over Him EP


Tennessee Jet – The Country


Katy Perry – Smile


The Tuten Brothers – Radio Plays EP


Ryan Griffin – Name On It EP


Tiffany Johnson – Tiffany Johnson EP


Molly Tuttle – … but I’d rather be with you


Ruston Kelly – Shape & Destroy


Courtney Cole – Earthquake EP


The Killers – Imploding The Mirage


Tucker Beathard – King


Kree Harrison – Chosen Family Tree


Josh Turner – Country State of Mind


Tim McGraw – Here on Earth


Caylee Hammack – If It Wasn’t For You


Mo Pitney – Ain’t Lookin’ Back


Eric Paslay – Nice Guy


RaeLynn – Baytown EP


Jim “Kimo” West – More Guitar Stories


Mary Chapin Carpenter – The Dirt and The Stars


Carly and Martina – Are You Listening?


Cassadee Pope – Rise and Shine


Luke Bryan – Born Here, Live Here, Die Here


Chris Tomlin – Chris Tomlin & Friends


Rascal Flatts – How They Remember You EP


Canaan Cox – Stilettos EP


Taylor Swift – folklore


Kansas – The Absence of Presence


Dixie Chicks / The Chicks – Gaslighter


Lakeview – She Drove Me To The Bar EP


Jimmie Allen – Bettie James EP


Donna Missal – Lighter


Brett Eldredge – Sunday Drive


Jonny Houlihan – Hey Girl EP


Willie Nelson – First Rose of Spring


Eric Paslay – Heartbeat Higher EP


Haim – Women in Music Pt. III


Kyle Nix – Lightning On The Mountain & Other Little Stories


John Legend – Bigger Love


Bob Dylan – Rough and Rowdy Ways


Gabby Barrett – Goldmine


Gone West – Canyons


Dion – Blues With Friends


Tyler Farr – Only Truck in Town EP

