Jason Aldean’s “Church Pew or Bar Stool.” Parmalee’s “Close Your Eyes.” Love and Theft’s “Whiskey On My Breath.” What do these three songs have in common? Each were co-written by the incredibly talented Adam Craig. After more than a decade of penning songs like these and more, the Washington native released his self-titled debut EP in 2016 and has been full-speed ahead ever since.
We caught up with Adam to talk about his journey to Music City, his songwriting process, new music and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
AC: I got my start in Country music as a songwriter but I’ve been singing my whole life—it’s my passion. After BBR had several of their artists cut a few of my songs, I wanted to meet the head of the label to say “thank you” which then ended up with me getting a record deal! It was crazy how it all came together. Now I get to write and sing as part of the incredible genre that is Country music—it’s a dream come true.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
AC: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Eric Church influenced me musically—going out on tour with Luke Bryan taught me so much personally—just the way he treated his crew, his opener and just everybody around him he also taught me so much about how to be an entertainer in general.
CN: In addition to music, you had another passion while growing up – baseball. You were an avid ball player through high school as well as into your first year of college, but then you decided to take the musical fork in the road. What lead to that decision?
AC: Since I was a kid, music has always been my dream—in order to pursue your dreams, you really have to give it your all. In my mind, the only way to do that was to head to Nashville and give it my best shot.
CN: You moved to Music City in 2004, scored a publishing deal and within a few years you had tracks cut by Jason Aldean, Love and Theft, Parmalee and others. How did it feel when the first song was picked up?
AC: It felt incredible! Moving across the country to a place where you don’t know a single soul can be a little daunting, so it felt reassuring that I made the right choice in moving here and that there is a place for me in Country music.
CN: In 2016 your self-titled EP gained critical acclaim thanks to your incredible songwriting skills that are not only witty, but can tell a story that is so visual to the listener. Take us through your songwriting process.
AC: Ideas pop into my head for songs all the time so I often write them into the notes app on my phone or record them as a voice memo. Then when we get in the writers room, I usually start with a title, a story or one of the ideas in my phone and then build the melody and chord structure around that.
CN: You’ve also written with some of Nashville’s biggest names including Josh Thompson, Jon Nite, Trent Tomlinson, Liz Rose. Can you talk about the creativity that is in the room when a group of writers sit down together to write? Granted, some days may be better than others….
AC: Nashville is full of the best songwriters in the world, when you get the opportunity to sit in the room with them it’s just so special. I like to write songs that I related to, about life, the ups, the downs and in-betweens because I think that it’s authentic so I love starting out by trading stories and trying to come up with an idea for a song and then try and build it out with everybody from there. Nashville songwriters always have great stories to share too so it makes it fun.
CN: After writing songs that were recorded by other artists, what was it like to finally release your own music? To have your music and your sound out there? And then to receive such a great response?
AC: It’s every artist’s dream to be able to share your art and your interpretation of music with the world. It really feels great and everybody has been so supportive—to be honest, I feel pretty lucky.
CN: Your debut single “Reckon” and fan-favorite “Why Can’t She” has given you a bit of a reputation for sad songs, with lyrics that get the listener in the gut, tears flowing. How are you able to tug at so many emotions with your lyrics?
AC: Those songs are pulled from first-hand experiences so it’s authentic and I think people can sense that genuine emotion. It also was recorded when I was in a little bit sadder of a place so you can just feel it. Luckily, I’m in a much happier place now!
CN: On April 5th you released two new tracks – “If You’re Lucky” and “Whatever You’re Drinking To” – and both challenge that heart breaking reputation with just pure fun. Can you share with us the stories behind these songs?
AC: I got in the writers room one day with Matt Rogers and Michael Carter and were talking about how I wanted just a fun, beer-drinking closer of a song and that sessions quickly turned into “Whatever You’re Drinking To.” For “If You’re Lucky,” I had been making visits with every publisher in town and the second I heard this song I was struck by how Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill (who I had never met at the time) were able to capture my experience growing up so incredibly. I knew I had to cut it.
CN: Love the whole vintage karaoke theme to the lyric video for “Whatever You’re Drinking To”! How did that concept come about?
AC: We read several through concepts and when we got to that one, I saw “Canadian tuxedo with a Cowboy hat, staring stoically off bridges and then wrapping at the local American Legion” and I was IN. I love 90’s Country and I love karaoke so merging the two for this video was right up my alley. We had so much fun filming it!
CN: Two new tracks – does this mean a new EP is in the works?
AC: I’m not sure what the official plan is just yet, we’re always writing and recording new music so we’ll have to see how everything shakes out!
CN: Do you have a dream collaboration in mind?
AC: Hands down, Tim McGraw!
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
AC: Lucky! I get to be a part of Country music and sing for a living—that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do in life.
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
AC: Blackhawk, Tim McGraw and Little Texas.
CN: Are you ready for CMA Fest? Where can fans catch you performing?
AC: I can’t wait! I’m playing Ascend Amphitheater on Thursday night (then BB Kings right after that) and then Sunday on the Chevy Breakout Stage.
CN: What’s next on the horizon?
AC: Playing a lot of festivals this summer and continuing to write and sing!
For more information on Adam Craig, visit his website at www.adamcraigofficial.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.