If Tractor Songs – the first single from his long-awaited new album – is anything to go by, then Craig Campbell is about to grow himself a whole new field of fans.
In many respects, it’s a back to basics track (yes it features a green John Deere), a single that revisits the steel guitar and fiddle he freely admits have been missing as he’s been ‘away’ trying something new.
It is a love song to a simple life, buying a farm and raising a family…I’m lovin’ it and can’t wait for the rest of Campbell’s new music as he returns to his roots (pun intended).
Written by Walker Hayes (see below about how they hooked up) and released on Campbell’s own Grindstone Recordings label, it is the first of three singles coming out in a weekly dripfeed ahead of the February 17 launch of that elusive album The Lost Files: Exhibit A.
Fans can pre-add/save the 16-cut album on the usual streaming services and get ready for the Winnebago single on February 3, and Church Clothes a week later on February 10.
“This album has been a long time coming,” said Craig. “This collection of music is very special to me, I have been chomping at the bit to get this to my fans. These are songs that I love and believe in with all that I am. My fans fell in love with me when there was steel and fiddle on my records. I truly hate that I got away from that for a bit trying to chase something that wasn’t real, but I humbly admit, I am a work in progress. Not everyone is going to love this album, and I am ok with that. However, THIS is the real me. Unfiltered, unapologetic, and from my heart.“
The new album is a compilation of recent recordings and “lost” songs he recorded for previous labels but were never released. Travis Tritt, Trea Landon, and Craig’s wife Mindy are featured on three of the cuts.
Craig had a hand in writing 11 of the tracks with some of the top songwriters in music. The other five were contributed by Jess Brown, Joel Little Phillip Coleman, Nicolle Galyon, Ella Yelich-O’Connor, Jamie Paulin, Liz Rose, Michael White, and Justin Wilson. In addition to Campbell, producers on various tracks include Cooper Bascom, Blake Bollinger, Mickie Jack Cones, Rob Hatch, Elisha Hoffman, Phil O’Donnell, Matt Rovey, Keith Stegall, and Ilya Toshinskiy.
Hayes is the sole writer on Tractor Songs, and he produced the track with Luke DeJaynes. The story behind Craig recording the song began after the two played a show together in Orlando. Craig posted a series of conversations between Hayes and himself recorded while each were sitting on John Deere tractors – affectionately dubbed Tractor Talks – chatting about the song, their careers and their friendship. Part One can be viewed here https://www.facebook.com/reel/892814521956213/
“As I listened to Craig’s set that night, I thought, ‘man, I forgot how unreal his voice is – one of my Top 5 favorite voices,’” said Walker. ”I met him as soon as he walked off the stage and pleaded with him to let me send him a song or two. Tractor Songs was one of them. He sings it like he wrote it, his voice and the song belong together. No one could do it better, and I wouldn’t want anyone else on it. Praise God Craig and I are always bumping into each other. He’s one of the reasons I love this town.”
“Sometimes you hear songs on the radio and say ‘Man! That’s a hit! I wish I could cut that before they did,’” Craig added. “All I can say is I’m glad I cut this before anyone else! Shoutout to Walker for sending this song to me first.”
Tractor Songs will be available through all streaming services from Craig’s Grindstone Recordings label, which is distributed by Stem. Following a busy 2022, Craig will be hitting the road next month on a nationwide tour to promote the single and album.
In addition to writing, recording, touring and running his record company, Craig and his wife Mindy accomplished a longtime dream of opening Grindstone Cowboy in their home of Eagleville last year. The popular coffee shop and restaurant doubles as a music venue, and will see a number of headline artists perform in the coming weeks.
The Lost Files: Exhibit A
Track Listing
1. “Lot To Live Up To” featuring Travis Tritt
Writers: Craig Campbell/Tim Nichols/Mark D. Sanders
Producers: Matt Rovey & Craig Campbell
2. “Winnebago”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Brett Beavers/Steve Bogard
Producer: Mickey Jack Cones
3. “It’s About Time” *
Writers: Michael White/Justin Wilson/Jamie Paulin
Producer: Blake Bollinger
4. “Things You Do In A Truck” * featuring Trea Landon
Writers: Craig Campbell/Blake Bollinger/Trea Landon
Producers: Blake Bollinger, Cooper Bascom, Craig Campbell
5. “Sounds Like A Small Town”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Jeremy Bussey/Cody Cozzolino
Producers: Ilya Toshinskiy and Craig Campbell
6. “Church Clothes” with Mindy Ellis Campbell
Writers: Liz Rose/Nicolle Galyon
Producer: Craig Campbell
7. “Johnny’s Cash”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Keifer Thompson
Producer: Craig Campbell
8. “Hurtin’ On It”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Adam Yaron/Abram Dean
Producer: Craig Campbell
9. “Night Like Last Night”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Rob Hatch/Jason Sellers
Producers: Matt Rovey, Craig Campbell, Rob Hatch, Elisha Hoffman
10. “Royals”
Writers: Ella Yelich-O’Connor/Joel Little
Producers: Matt Rovey & Craig Campbell
11. “Talk Country To Me”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Adam Sanders/Derek George
Producer: Phil O’Donnell
12. “Tractor Songs”
Writer: Walker Hayes
Producers: Luke DeJaynes, Walker Hayes
13. “God And The Ground”
Writers: Phillip Coleman/Jess Brown
Producers: Keith Stegall, Matt Rovey, and Craig Campbell
14. “That’s What A Song’ll Do”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Ben Hayslip/Dallas Davidson
Producers: Keith Stegall, Matt Rovey, and Craig Campbell
15. “That’s How We Get Down”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Jeremy Bussey/Styles Haury
Producer: Craig Campbell
16. “All American Comeback Kid”
Writers: Craig Campbell/Terry McBride/Brice Long
Producers: Keith Stegall, Matt Rovey, and Craig Campbell
* Previously Released
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