Charley Crockett: ‘If you know nothing, you’re probably not gonna write a great song’

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “If you were to look at the career of Willie Nelson or Aretha Franklin, you’ll find that Willie didn’t really become a successful household name until his 15th or 16th studio album, and Aretha didn’t break through until her ninth or 10th.” Crockett’s output, which has always been a mixture of originals and covers, also brings to mind the days when big names would habitually release different versions of the same song. “I was exposed to so much stuff.” open image in gallery Gypsy king: ‘I don’t think it’s an extraordinary thing that I’m doing,’ says Crockett Though he was making a steady – if not exceptional – living by busking, Crockett didn’t start to take things seriously until he met Americana songwriter Justin Townes Earle, who died from an accidental overdose at the age of 38 in 2020. As well as his own material, Crockett’s debut album featured a number of cover versions – “songs I learned in the streets around America, when I was still a gypsy”. Cover versions have always been an important part of Crockett’s musical make-up, from his take on Gram Parsons’ “Juanita” on A Stolen Jewel to the entirety of this year’s Lil’ GL Presents: Jukebox Charley.