This story is developing.
A new album from Charley Crockett, and dropped at 8:00 pm Central on a random Tuesday night? Why not. Or as Charley Crockett said on Instagram about 30 minutes after the surprise release, “You can drop a f-cking record whenever the f-ck you want. And what’s more important to me is dropping all this really good art right now.”
Saving Country Music had previously reported that before his last album Age of the Ram was released earlier this month, Crockett had already been working on his next one. “Sources say he’s been in Clovis, New Mexico recording at the old Norman Petty place that Buddy Holly helped make famous, as well as Shooter’s place in La La Land.”
Apparently, Charley Crockett couldn’t wait for the world to hear the results. At first glance, the worry was that maybe the surprise album Clovis had been accidentally or maliciously leaked. After all, the release date said “April 24th,” despite it being released on April 28th. The copyright was also not Island Records or Son of Davy—his previously-known labels. And hey, who released records on Tuesday?
Saving Country Music has confirmed from numerous sources that Charley Crockett is no longer with Island Records—the major label he signed to in order to release his “Sagebrush Trilogy.” Age of the Ram released on April 3rd was the final chapter. Crockett’s currently not signed to any label, though Clovis is attributed to the label “$10 Cowboy.” Crockett is also currently self-managed, and apparently is willing and able to do what he wants, whenever he wants to.
As for the album itself, it is a 14-song release, produced by Crockett, and co-produced by Shooter Jennings. The Norman Petty Studio where it was recorded is one of the most legendary studios in American history, though decidedly more off the beaten path compared to Sun Studios in Memphis, or Nashville’s RCA studios.
Norman Petty is who recorded all of Buddy Holly’s big hits. Roy Orbison, Buddy Knox, a young Waylon Jennings, Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, and more also recorded there in the 1950s. In the 1980’s the studio was preserved in its mint 1950’s condition. People can still visit the studio in the east New Mexico town not too far from the Texas border, but it’s rarely used as an active studio, making Crockett’s Clovis unique.
Expect a proper album review for the release once it’s been digested here. Even people very close to Crockett were taken by surprise by the release. He’d wiped his Instagram account about a week previous, and then posted a photo of a man in prison, reaching for the set of door keys. Apparently Crockett was feeling caged. And now, he’s been set free.
Currently, the album can only be found ON SPOTIFY. More info when available.
TRACK LIST:
1. The Hallelujah Trail (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings)
2. Down by Law (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings)
3. One Eyed Jack (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings, Kyle Madrigal)
4. Image of a Woman (Charley Crockett)
5. Eagle and the Crow (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings, Jason Lee Moeller)
6. Top Hand (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings, Taylor Grace)
7. Country Music (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings)
8. Last Night at the Alamo (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings, Jason Lee Moeller, Taylor Grace)
9. Clovis (Stephen Barber)
10. Don’t Take Your Guns to Town (Johnny Cash)
11. Albuquerque Lights (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings)
12. I Ain’t Riding Anymore (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings, Jason Lee Moeller)
13. Honky Tonk Philosophy (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings, Jason Lee Moeller, Taylor Grace)
14. Waylon Rides Again (Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings)
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