On the evening of July 9th, Patriot Place in Foxborough, Massachusetts, was bustling with eager fans, but this time of year swapping out Brady and Gronkowski jerseys for flannel shirts and cowboy boots. The crowd was anticipating a fantastic concert by Craig Campbell and New England Country was lucky enough to have another chance to sit down and talk to the star about Garth Brooks, a new album, bow hunting, and everything in between.
The last time that we had spoken, Garth Brooks had just released album ‘Man Against Machine‘ and Craig was lucky enough to have a song that he had written get a spot on the album. The hit ‘All-American Kid,’ just so happened to be the song chosen by the man himself for his performance at this years ACM awards. “We had heard rumors that he was going to perform it on the show, so my wife and I sat down to watch and when we saw him between commercials with Buck Owen’s red, white, and blue guitar we thought he was going to do it. We were a few minutes behind on the DVR and my phone started blowing up, everybody telling me how cool it was. I turned my phone off and watched Garth’s performance and I sat there like a kid, just in awe.” Not only has Craig been behind writing some incredible songs, but in 2014 he scored big with his first top ten song with ‘Keep Them Kisses Comin’.’ “It was a game-changer. I had never had a top ten song before so it was all new ground to me, but as far as attendance at my shows, it went up. People singing along went up, social media stats went up and on the booking side people were requesting me to come do shows. It totally changed everything. I’m looking forward to what a top five and a number one will do.”
In the short time since we spoke with Craig last winter, he made a huge career change signing with the likes of Jason Aldean, Randy Houser, and Dustin Lynch at Broken Bow Records under Red Bow Records. “I feel like I was out in the country music world just looking for my real parents. We just fit and they were looking for me too. The team is amazing, having my new song come out and having the most adds I’ve ever had in the first week was a big deal. They have a really cool system and I’m excited to see where it goes.” That new song, of course, is current hit ‘Tomorrow Tonight’ and Craig seemed optimistic about the album with the single’s success. “I think I’m more excited about the fans getting to hear some new stuff. My last record came out in 2013 and if everything goes right, then it’ll be 2016 before this new album comes out. So that’s what really fires me up, people getting to hear some new music.”
If you’ve ever been to a Craig Campbell concert, chances are you’ve stared in awe of the signature piano bar that he brings city to city and it really is a dream come true for Craig himself. “I’ve always had a dream for a piano bar to look like an old antique saloon bar. We teamed up with Team Cocktail and they said if I had it built then they’d split the cost. The first time that we used it was in Nashville at a radio event a few years ago; they delivered it right in the street and we just stared at it and thought how cool it was!” Being such a piano-fused band, it’s really no surprise that Craig has been hailed as the most traditional sounding artist of the present day and Craig certainly agrees. “Daryle Singletary had a song out called ‘That’s Why I Sing This Way’ stating you could do this, you could do that, you could put dancers and a DJ on stage, but I’m gonna sing this way no matter what, and I agree because when I open my mouth, it’s country music. With the new album, we’re pushing it, we’re gonna see how far we can go without taking away from me and what I do. It’s gonna sound bigger, but it’s still me singing.”
He may not see any venue as his favorite, but a club, theater, arena, or festival, Craig sees as major events. “I don’t think of any specifics, but when the clubs are packed it’s great. When you get to play in front of 60,000 at a festival that’s great, just as long as people are having a great time.” What does Craig Campbell find himself doing outside of music you may be asking yourself? He certainly never finds himself a dull moment it seems. “I used to do some hunting in South Georgia, but the past few years I’ve gotten to know some of my neighbors where I live and it’s a big deal! Bow hunting, turkey hunting, all of that. When I’m not hunting I’m getting ready to hunt, you know, sighting our bows in. I try to spend as much time with my girls as I possibly can, that eats up most of my time.”
Craig remains optimistic of the future, especially with the upcoming album release. “We always have big plans. There’s a few things that will come with a hit song, especially a number one song. The chances of me getting on a major tour will be increased- I’ve yet to be on a major tour. Sponsorships, endorsements, nominations at the awards shows, those are all in our visions, we’re just gonna give it all we got and see what happens.” In the recent week’s it looks like Craig may have gotten his wish granted, being added to Randy Houser’s arena tour this fall, along with Frankie Ballard. Only eight dates have been announced so far, but we can only hope to see it swing through New England to see the fruits of Craig Campbell’s hard work and dedication.