Covering a classic.
Charley Crockett is as real as it gets when it comes to keeping country music’s classic roots alive. His thick twangs, steel-soaked melodies, and raw lyrics represent what country music was founded on.
As Crockett gears up to release his next studio project, Lonesome Drifter, which will be everywhere Friday, March 14th, he is returning to the roots of country music, covering a classic on the album. He is tipping his hat to The King, covering “Amarillo By Morning.”
George Strait recorded the famed track in 1982, but it was originally penned by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser in 1973, and released as a single by Stafford on his Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose album that year. Of course, Chris LeDoux also cut a version for his Life as a Rodeo Man album in 1975. But the raw and honest version that Strait recorded was a 180 from the original pop country cut Stafford released, which shocked Crockett to hear such stark differences in the tunes.
“George Strait made it famous. And then I got older, and I realized it was written by a guy named Terry Stafford. The version that Stafford cut, it’s very countrypolitan sound, and I guess I was surprised because George Strait’s version is so raw and honest, and it’s like all about the fiddle. I was surprised it was written by a songwriter with pop sensibilities.”
While Crockett had always liked the song, he got the idea to cut it when working out in West Texas, realizing that many young kids don’t know the classic artists or songs that significantly impacted the genre’s foundation.
“We was working out in West Texas, and there was this young cowboy out there I was doing a scene with, and this old boy was like, ‘Hey Charley, what are you listening to right now?’
Well, I’m listening to Waylon. He’s like, ‘Waylon Jennings?’ I’m like, ‘Come on motherf***er, you know who Waylon Jennings is.’ And he says, ‘I think my grandpa used to listen to him.'”
This interaction then led Crockett to have a conversation with his wife, Taylor, about how so many “country purest” say that you shouldn’t cut classic songs like “Amarillo By Morning” because everyone knows it. And what’s the point of cutting a song that everyone already knows?
But, Crockett’s wife disagreed with the idea that everyone knew “Amarillo By Morning.”
“Taylor’s always like, ‘Baby, maybe you’re getting old because these kids don’t know this f**king song.’ And Shooter (Jennings) was like, ‘Nah man, it was over 40 years ago. Taylor’s right. Young people don’t know it. I really think you should put it on the record.'”
With that, Crockett decided to record his rendition of “Amarillo By Morning.” However, given how Crockett ends this explanation video, it appears that his take on the song will be nothing like the original.
“They call him King George for a reason. I’m sorry, George, I sure do hope you like it though.”
@charleycrockett Replying to @Taylor ♬ original sound – Charley Crockett
Whatever Crockett has up his sleeve, I am sure it will stay true to his signature sound and will highlight the song in an entirely new light.
Check out the original Terry Stafford version:
Before you go, fire up The King’s version.
Lonesome Drifter Tracklist:
1. Lonesome Drifter
2. Game I Can’t Win
3. Jamestown Ferry
4. Easy Money
5. Under Neon Lights
6. This Crazy Life
7. The Death Of Bill Bailey
8. Never No More
9. Life Of A Country Singer
10. One Trick Pony
11. Night Rider
12. Amarillo By Morning
