Charley Crockett Marks Career Milestone From Deep Ellum To The Grammys
Former busker and independent country artist Charley Crockett is currently navigating a pivotal week in his career, transitioning from his roots on the streets of Deep Ellum to the red carpets of Hollywood. The Texas native is celebrating a trifecta of high-profile events this week, culminating in his attendance at the upcoming Grammy Awards, where he is nominated for Best Traditional Country Album for his record Dollar a Day.
The week’s schedule highlights Crockett’s rapid ascent in the music industry. On Wednesday, he performed alongside Dwight Yoakam at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles for a Children’s Hospital benefit. Following that appearance, Crockett is set to attend the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Thursday for the premiere of his new documentary, A Cowboy in London. These events lead into Sunday’s Grammy ceremony, where he faces stiff competition in the Traditional Country category against industry titans such as Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, and Margo Price.
Background information indicates that Crockett’s journey to this point was unconventional. Before selling out venues like the Ryman Auditorium, he spent years hitchhiking and busking in New York City, New Orleans, and specifically the Deep Ellum district of Dallas, Texas. His sound, a blend of Gulf Coast blues and traditional country, was honed on street corners rather than in Nashville writing rooms.
Despite the accolades, objections regarding the nomination have surfaced, notably from Crockett himself. In a move that surprised industry observers, Crockett recently took to social media to suggest he should concede his nomination to the Turnpike Troubadours, arguing that their album Price of Admission was unjustly snubbed by the Recording Academy. He credited Turnpike frontman Evan Felker with helping launch his career and described the band’s exclusion as a significant oversight. Furthermore, in recent interviews, Crockett has expressed ambivalence toward the pageantry of the awards season, describing the Grammy environment as a “dog and pony show,” suggesting that while he appreciates the platform, he remains skeptical of the industry’s commercial machinery.
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