"Behind the Music: A Pianist's Path to Country Stardom" with Craig Campbell

This week on the Here's What We Know Podcast, our host Gary Scott Thomas wrapped up a truly inspiring episode. Our special guest, the talented musician and owner of The Grindstone Cowboy, Craig Campbell, shared his journey from being a gigging piano player to owning his own stage. He touched on the highs and lows of his career but emphasized that he feels most at home when performing live.

As an artist who believes in staying true to one's style despite industry trends, this musician is proof that tenacity pays off! Join us so you can hear more of Craig’s story, filled with passion, determination, and an unwavering love for music.

In this Episode:

Discover the Grindstone Cowboy coffee shop.Learn about Glenn Campbell's influence on his career after an enlightening visit to his museum in Nashville.Hear about the transformative power of Clint Black’s Killing Time and Tracy Lawrence's Sticks and Stones cassettes in his life.Get insights into the backstage life at Opry performances and his fascination with artists' stories.Understand why introducing himself as a piano player rather than a singer made it easier for him to get gigs in Nashville.Discuss the challenges faced during extreme weather conditions while performing live shows.Converse about learning instruments without formal training.Explore what fear means when chasing dreams on stage.Discuss the songwriting process and fan reactions. Frustrations within the music industry.Learn why some songs wait 20 years before getting recorded due to their enduring impact despite a lack of initial support.Family Man, a personal favorite written during Mindy’s pregnancy, perfectly represents who he is as an artist.

This episode is sponsored by:
Habana Cuba (Use code "Gary20" to save 20% on your order!)
Dignity Memorial

About Craig:
Craig Campbell is an American country music singer, songwriter, and pianist born in Lyons, Georgia. He played piano at his mother's Baptist church from the age of 10 until he was 18. He first heard the sounds of gospel music before listening to Travis Tritt, who was one of the reasons why he immediately fell in love with country music. When he was 15, he formed a band called Out of the Blue and began playing the bar circuit, learning how to put together a performance and capture an audience. 

Craig moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2002 in hopes of pursuing his musical career. He took on several musician jobs and began writing his songs and demos. Fellow Georgian Luke Bryan suggested Campbell try his hand at writing his own songs, and in time he mastered the craft, honing his original material at gigs. He met another singer, Mindy Ellis, fell in love, and the pair married; he also began playing piano in her band, which in turn led to a touring stint with Tracy Byrd. Keith Stegall caught one of Campbell's performances at The Stage in 2008, and the young singer was soon signed to Bigger Picture. Starting in 2010, “Family Man” and “Outta My Head” both cracked the Top 15 on Billboard

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