Ep. 252 Grateful Roots

Americana, Roots, Folk, Blues and Country music. 

A CHARLEY CROCKETT SPECIAL.

Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:54

Life's a casino, I'm telling you, and everybody's playing, boys and girls, women, children, me and you, the dice alloaded, and everything's fixed. Even a hobo would tell you this. Welcome to our time, and feeling low. Do you like sinning? No. Where you will be before you go. We got lots of gambling. Oh, and we're telling lies. You're certainly welcome all times. Take a look in my eyes. Tell me what you see. Besides the bright blinking lights stretched out in front of me. I wonder if you'll notice. Would you even care? If I told you my life just isn't fair. And feeling low. Do you like sinning? No. Well, you will be before you go. We got lots of gambling. Oh, and we're telling lies. You're certainly welcome, Hard Times. Yes. Oh, you're filled and welcome to Hard Times.

SPEAKER_00 3:33

Welcome to Hard Times. It's Charlie Crockett. Welcome to this Grateful Roots special Stephen Egan here in Dublin. Charlie Crockett was born on the 24th of March 1984. He's an American country music singer, songwriter, musician, and indeed an actor. And he's released 17 studio albums since 2015. And in recent times, three or four of those albums have broken into the U.S. billboard to 100. He was raised by a single mother and an older brother and a sister, and grew up in a trailer. And if he just got going at the age of 17, got himself a guitar and got on the road. A very, very interesting journey. And we'll hear more about it in the course of this program. Stephen Egan here, contact details, great for roots, music, that's for X, also for the website and for Gmail. Let's now play a second track. I am not afraid, Charlie Crockett.

SPEAKER_02 4:50

And sugar and empire ain't gonna hurt you or let you down. Oh, I know I got to be stronger. Oh little girl, I will never do you wrong. Oh honey, just tell me you mean me, I will be better. Oh having you by my side. So that you'll always know. And darling, sugar pie ain't gonna hurt you. I'll let you die. And darling, I am unafraid to not afraid to love you. I am not afraid.

SPEAKER_05 6:21

Oh, I know I got to be stronger.

SPEAKER_02 6:26

Oh little girl, I will never do you wrong. So darling, just tell me you need me. I will be better for having you by my side and sugar. I am not afraid to not afraid to love you. I am not afraid. I am not afraid. I am not afraid. I am not afraid.

SPEAKER_00 7:03

I am not afraid from In the Night 20 2016 album. You got going, remember his first album was 2015, so it's early days. Let's play one now from Lonesome as a Shadow or something from again fairly early. 2018 Charlie Crockett if not a fool Who am I now?

SPEAKER_05 7:40

If not the food keep playing the game where you make all the room but if my name, who have I to blame for losing you? Who am I now? If not Did you have one little girl breaking my heart? Does it make you feel better? Damn it me up, where should I go? The only thing I know is loving you. If we thought I enjoy, gonna make it on my own.

SPEAKER_08 8:38

Who am I now? If not the food, don't keep playing the game, but you make all the moon Where did I go?

SPEAKER_05 8:51

The only thing I know and loving you am I now if I hate your name I don't want to put a new dependent food No matter what the food Who am I now? being alone if we thought I ain't so I could make it on my own Baking my heart doesn't make you feel better having me a fall but it's my name Whoever to play for losing you Who am I now?

SPEAKER_00 9:57

If not the fool If not a fool Charlie Crockett He was born in San Benito, Texas to Branton Edens Crockett and also Jan on the Apple Hands and his mother is of vulgar German descent and he was raised by a single mother and also an older brother and sister and also anything. I didn't know what you're doing. When he's doing covers and side projects, he has this other moniker called Lil G L. Lil G L. I'm not sure the derivative of the derivative of that. But that's what he goes on the name of. And this next one is a cover of the great uh Tom T. Hall song. That's how I got to Memphis.

SPEAKER_05 11:54

That's how I got to Memphis. If you need somebody enough, go where your heart wants to go. That's how I got to Memphis. That's how I got to Memphis. I know if you've seen her, you tell me cause you are my friend. I've got to find her and find out the temperature. If you tell me the she ain't here, I'll just follow a trail of her tears, and that's how I got to member. That's how I got to Memphis Used to get mad and she'd say, come back to Memph someday. That's how I got to Memphis. That's how I got to Memphis. I haven't eaten one bite. Slept for three days and nights, that's how I got to Memphis. That's how I got to Memphis. I've got to find her and tell her that I love us now. I just can't rest till I find out I see how to go. Thank you for your precious time. Give me if I stop to cry. That's how I got to Memphis. That's how I got to Memphis. That's how I got to Memphis. That's how I got to Memphis. That's how I got to Memphis.

SPEAKER_00 14:18

Great song, that's how I got to Memphis. Lil G. L. Also known as Charlie Crockett with the Tom T. Hall song. Time to head over now to Music City USA, an album released in 2021, and this is a great one from it called I Need Your Love.

SPEAKER_05 14:55

I know you leave in, you say it's best I be traveling on.

SPEAKER_07 15:02

Many times I acted foolish when I really was just afraid.

SPEAKER_05 15:17

I need your love, pretty darling. I've got to have all of your love. I need it so much, Jenny's train. I you got me feeling this way. I need your love, pretty baby. Yes, I've got to have all of your love. I need it so much, Jennifer. Are you got me feelin' this way? I need your love. Many days I took for granted. How I wish I could turn back time. I can't ask to move the mountain. So just give me the strength to climb. I need your love. Pretty darling, said I've got to have all of your love. I need it so much, stand it straight. I you got me feeling this way. I need your love. Pretty baby, said I got to have all of your love. I need it so much, stand it straight. I got me feelin' this way. I need your love. I need it so much, stand it strange. How you got me feeling this way? I need your love.

SPEAKER_00 17:42

I need your love music city USA album twenty twenty-one. Uh let's look at some of his influences, musical influences. Is there any musical influences that came from hearing hip-hop? And he became fascinated with the samples used. Crockett said I got into Curtis Mayfield through samples of the song by other artists. And uh Simone was also an artist influenced. Learning his uh learning his craft. And this is why we're now in a situation where he has released uh huge number of albums. Seventeen studio albums, in fact, some of Richard albums of the covers. You can see that kind of laid-back sound, quite a soul kind of a sound in there. And uh let's move on now to one of his more recent albums, 2022. Well, recent enough, The Man from Wacko. This was a very successful song from the Mirage of Del Rio.

SPEAKER_05 19:50

It was burning in his eyes, and sleep had escaped him, too, consumed by his pride, like the lonesome and high country. He was lost in a haze, and the thoughts of what he'd do if he unloaded all his rage, the man from Waco, the city was almost silent as he passed the humming signs on the corner. He heard laughter, made him afraid of what he'd find. Hypnotized by a sound. Just then tears overcame him, and his heart began to drown. The man from Waco. It was there that he shot her while the lovers were embraced with the bullet he intended for the man who took his place. He cried through the night as he made his escape, but the rain that was fallen could not wash. His shame, the man from Waco on the banks of the Brazos, where the desert willow grows, the clear, shallow water just won't say all it knows. A moment burning anger can curse the living through the days. You can let that river take you, but you will never get away. The man from Waco. Circus is coming through. That when you purchase a ticket, you expect to get a show or take a look at me. I'm just a clown, and on my face I wear a frown. I paid the cost to hang around. So take a look at me. I'm just a clown. The Joker stands in the middle and turns a trip for you. Because sometimes you know it's better to be thought of as a fool. Or take a look at me. I'm just a clown. And on my face I were a frown. I've played the cause to hang around. So take a look at me. I'm just a clown. That's what they say. I guess my clothes give me away. All of my friends have disappeared. You know what makes me wonder if I was ever here. Take a look at me. I'm just a clown. And on my face, I were frown. I've paid the cost. I hang around. So take a look at me. I'm just a clown.

SPEAKER_00 27:10

Second one from the man from Wacko. Charlie Crockett, descendant of Davy Crockett. Great name for an artist, isn't it? Charlie Crockett. Besides the alliteration, it just it's it's a good showbiz name. Charlie Crockett. Just on the Charlie Crockett sound. American songwriter said Crockett finds the sweetest part between the country. This is one from a lesson in depression Johnny Crockett.

SPEAKER_05 28:24

Thanks for dropping by, but you don't need to see what I do when I get sick and tired of me. Come in for a while since you're already here. But don't expect a smile and look out for all the tears. You're about to get yourself a lesson and depression. I'm the king of this profession. If you choose to stay, I could help you lose your weight. There isn't any question. See a broken man haunted by a spear. You better close your eyes if you don't wanna know what I do to me when I lose control. You're gonna get yourself a lesson in depression. I'm the king of this profession. If you choose to stay, I could help you lose your weight. There isn't any question Thanks for dropping mine, but you don't need to see what I do when I get sick and tired of me. Call me for a while since you're already here. Don't expect a smile and look out for all the tears. A lesson in depression. A lesson in depression.

SPEAKER_00 30:51

Lesson in depression. A James Hand song by Charlie Crockett. Now, James Hand is not an artist I knew too much about until recently. He was um at least his first album actually when he was age forty-five, believe it or not, in 1997. But his musical style was often influenced by earlier Hunky Tonks and the Texas country musical actors.

SPEAKER_05 33:14

But the fact you remain I'm sitting there all alone, missing the loving of my baby. Loaded about to drive me crazy. She was the sweetest piece of ever I've ever known. She just caught the Jamestown Ferris. A case of gone was all she carried, and she got on the James Town Ferry, and she said that gone was nothing ever before As I walked through the valley of hocked off and balls. She didn't cuss with every breath. She had a soothing southern dog. She just caught the Jamestown fairy.

SPEAKER_03 35:12

Like she said it be if she ever left me.

SPEAKER_00 35:21

Jamestown Fairy cover, as I said. Under the Lil GL moniker and from an album Honky Tongue Jubilee 2017. So early in his uh early in his career. The song uh was a song writer from Bobby Border. So she was around 13 or 14. When she released her song, it was also released by Barbara James Town Ferry. Let's continue on now. We did uh well more recent album Visions of Dallas 2024. And that's the title track.

SPEAKER_05 36:17

As I passed through Tennessee, trying to lose familiar feelings, the ones that wash all over me.

SPEAKER_06 36:32

No I can't shape that sea.

SPEAKER_05 36:37

It's got me in a spin.

SPEAKER_06 36:47

All over again. All I try, California, settle down and quit the game, live up work in order at O didn't I last night? No one takes that.

SPEAKER_05 37:22

You came with a big five. It is business of delight.

SPEAKER_06 37:31

Run in wild through my Well, the first time I left it, I promised not to return. But in spite of all my efforts, there's some riddles you can't burn. Oh I stay back. All the good is the home. Even fitted the ballot. Late at night, interesting. Like at night, interesting.

SPEAKER_00 39:28

Album Charlie Crockett. Just a quick point there. I was talking about the James Hand uh tribute album that Charlie Crockett had. And I referred you to Ags Connolly, which is episode 249, who also has done work on James Hand. I meant to just decide that on the Ax Connolly special we also have Aggs singing the same song The Lesson in Depression song, which I played on Charlie Crockett here today. And so you might want to just contrast the two versions just as a matter of interest. As I say, Lesson in depression and Axe Connolly is episode 249. Take a listen.

SPEAKER_05 40:43

I'm just a lonesome drift up on the only highway. I'm just a lonesome reft up, on the only highway. Everybody's waiting on that rising sun to drop down, turn red, and be done.

SPEAKER_00 42:43

Twenty twenty-five that was uh released uh on Island Records, and it was produced by shooter Jennings, and also had a new version of his cover, The Jamestown Fairy, which we did uh play a little earlier in the program. Let's move on to another album that he released in 2025, very prolific. This was uh called A Dollar Today. This is Crucified Son.

SPEAKER_03 43:20

Got a plane out of Austin, stalling in the dilemma rain, blue bonnets lined the always signed. Let me know it's brain. They wanna put me at a TV show.

SPEAKER_05 43:39

I don't know if it's right, but I said yes because I can't refuse those Crystal City lights, crucified son. I was born the lucky one, they can't tell me what I I'ma crucify some. Don't ask me how I started. Cause right now I can't recall. It's a wonder me and these boys still out here by net all. They got to be a high reason. Cause it ain't pleasure and pain. I walk out the door, they call me friends and drive nails into my name. Cruise survives. Look out. I clear up Crystal City. If you love your wife, the women there they show up pretty. Out by the Nashville Palace, I got lower than I was in Dallas. Selling idols on a souvenir. Ain't the only thing a happening hello. Crucified son. I was born a lucky one. They can't tell me what I've done. I'm a crucified son. Crucified son.

SPEAKER_03 45:53

Tell me I'm the lucky one.

SPEAKER_05 45:56

From Houston, Texas, the kingdom come, I'll be a crucified son.

SPEAKER_00 46:15

Crucified Son, Dollar a Day album, also from 20 uh 25. I think it's also important to mention for context that it's he had some health issues and in January 2019.

SPEAKER_05 47:14

Don't forgive me, baby. All you gotta do is call. When you in trouble, I'll do anything at all. I can help ya.

SPEAKER_04 47:24

If you need somebody, I can help ya. That would show do me good. Do you good, I can help ya.

SPEAKER_07 47:39

It's a fact, people get lonesome. That ain't nothing new. A woman like you, baby, should never have the blues. I wanna help ya. I got two snow off, so I can help you. It would so do me good.

SPEAKER_04 47:59

To do you good, I can help you.

SPEAKER_07 48:05

When I go to sleep, you're always a part of my dreams, holdin' me tight, tellin' me everything.

SPEAKER_05 48:18

Maybe I won't hear. So don't forgive me, baby. When you in a fix, you know I come running with my big old bag of tricks, so I can help ya. If your child need a daddy, let me help ya.

SPEAKER_04 48:39

It would sure do me good. Do you good? I can help ya. I can help you.

SPEAKER_05 49:14

When I go to sleep, always a part of my dreams, holdin' me tight, telling me everything that I want to hear. So don't forgive me, baby. All you gotta do is call. You know I come running, I do anything at all, so I can help ya. If you need somebody, I can help ya.

SPEAKER_07 49:48

And it would sure do me good. Do you good? Yes, it would sure do me good.

SPEAKER_04 49:56

Do you good? I can help ya.

SPEAKER_00 50:29

Charlie Crockett. Billy Swan didn't have many songs. He did uh play in the Chris Christopher band at one time. And uh well, what else he's been doing all these years? I'm not entirely sure. Um we got two live tracks coming up from Live from the Rhyman uh 1993 album. But first let me just tell you about the Grateful Rudy special. Remember the website? Ungrateful music.

SPEAKER_05 53:00

Such a dirty little river, but that don't bother me. Loaded little river, so to keep it clean. Brand in the river, and it blows because I cry. So to keep me honest, with everybody telling a lie. Damn center evening, hung every way. I am little stomach calls, Dikin on a whiskey home. Sent of evening flows all through my hair. I had the sweetest thing.

SPEAKER_00 53:38

I was floating in the river death friend of the river, such a dirty little river That don't bother me Dirty little river, soda give me clean friend of the river, it's your bow beyond the cry So to keep you on it, even though you're not flying In this ribbon city Nothing ever less Beside the lonesome loose that staring back at you In this ribbon city I won't find you can miss out Whatever you got to give but leave me alone Give some more Tribble Such a dirty little ribbon But that don't bother me little ribbon soda boss big meal in the river Yes you want to make a bad Soda keep me on list And everybody tell a life a river Mother Water Is in it a river couldn't have a drown me bastard Drina River Yes you throw the back So the team be on it with everybody I'm gonna do a light I got the light I didn't even fight I can't fall a little My name I love to play that to her Come on now I need the night take that out While it's only a done We're gonna make you number one I'm gonna do a lane I'm gonna take a red I ain't gonna live not even my fat I'm thinking I can forday look I need on the bow I look I ain't up in light on the light I'm always bad even left the top I look I'm not doing Thank you so I'd like to find you where I'm looking which I can't stay Stay around for your free lunch I've got to go And I hope you won't stay That I'm not that kind of man I'm going to LA Gold and take a ride I got much to lose I do in my friend I got that complain I can't hold a little Man I'm told I look I'm light Still I still I'm always tired of go I look my name on the bow I'm going to a late don't take a run Think I must lose not even my bread like I've got some lights I can afford a look my name is on billboard Name on a billboard from Live from the Rhyme and uh 2023 album we got one track to play one with the black track to close off on it's a great one it's a great one and um just to say that break that threshold a wider name after so it just remains for me to say Stephen Egan here thanks for listening leave you with Charlie Crockett and ten dollar cowboy I'm a ten dollar cowboy maybe that's a fact I got some inhibition that might be holding me back I've been seeing this portrait attached to a small feet oh a ten dollar cowboy looks a lot like me if you're a 10 dollar cowboy then you already know that the devil was a rider who couldn't be thrown even Billy McClay fell off a top or two he was a tin dollar cowboy who looked a lot like you I'm a tear dollar cowboy I play a little guitar people always ask me if I'm a worthy old star if I got eight seconds but I can sing you a song I could be bottom steady old see the ten dollar cowboy he leads a colorful lie about him he goes on the back twice like the lake he's the last of the three he's just the ten dollar cowboy who looks a lot like me I was up in the street stand behind this guitar money cowboy cowboy singer as occupations look out the