We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Craig Hendricks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Craig below.
Craig, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
My whole career is based on a level of “Risk Taking”. I was a little late to the party. I had a decent job for over 20 years, while I pursued music intermittently on the side. One day, with the encouragement of my wife, I decided to pursue music fulltime. I walked away from that steady paycheck into the unknown, solely based on faith, hard work, and the belief that We WOULD make it!
Since that time, I have taken risks that led to the next part of my journey. I took a risk to move to the top of Lookout Mountain in order to be closer to more opportunities. I had people question my sanity when I would drive 3 hours in order to play three songs. However, in taking those risks, I have had the doors opened to record original music, write music that has been picked up by others, see a song chart, and meet so many incredible people.
I don’t believe in throwing myself off the nearest cliff, but I will take risks and have the faith that I will experience some form of success or return.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I grew up surrounded by music. My grandfather on my mom’s side taught me to play guitar on an old Gibson Dove. I was the only grandkid allowed to touch it because I was so passionate about it. I eventually inherited that guitar and have it still. I began to write songs at a young age. By the time I was a freshman in high school, one of my lyrical poems was being used as an example in a local State College. It was something that was always a part of me.
I put down the guitar and my dreams during a bad marriage, that later ended totally. it was after that, when I had met the lady who would become my wife, that all the creativity I had locked away, began to stir again. She is a published poet and author, and always encouraged me to chase my dreams. Sometime later, we left everything I had ever known in order to pursue music fulltime. We struggled and worked very hard. I fought self-doubt a lot, but what I did have, was perseverance. My father taught me to never quit, and when it gets hard and uncomfortable, strive harder. It was this mindset that allowed us to find our way in Nashville, in writing rooms, and in venues across the country.
We have worked tirelessly, sometimes putting in 80-hour weeks in the early days. Sometimes, we still do. I have to say that we have been very blessed, and our work is paying off. I have had the opportunity to go from playing corner bars to the stage at The Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia. From shagging restaurants for rent to headlining Fairs, to opening for Ashley Best and Dallas Moore, and being in a lineup with Cody McCarver and Tod Tilghman.
Songwriting has also come a long way for me. It’s a journey that never ends. There is always more to learn and room to grow. This year we had around 20 nominations for different awards, made the finals in 2 contests this year, and WON the May/June American Songwriter Magazine Lyric Contest. The biggest thing, however, was being part of Songs for Heroes with John Eason. We spent time with Veterans and helped write their stories. It was an incredible and humbling experience.
Right now, we are recording new Music with Beverly Gosdin Jenkins. She believes in me and is helping to keep real and traditional country music alive. I can’t wait to hit the studio again in November with her A-team!! In addition, Our Country Christian song, “I Found Grace”, recorded at Hilltop Studio with Chuck Day as producer, just hit #2 on a major Christian Country Chart and has spent two or three months in the top 20 most played on HLE radio.
We also hit the road again in a couple of weeks for a second Ohio – New England Tour!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I ask people to encourage local music. I strongly encourage people to support Good local and regional music. We have worked with venues in starting music several times. We have also consulted with venues and listening rooms. Give people GOOD music all the time, be consistent, and people will more likely come to enjoy the music all the time. The problem arises when venues turn to poor performers and bad music or to music that doesn’t fit their customer base. There are those who try to undercut good musicians and regional acts. Venues might bring these in because they are cheap. The old “fifty bucks and a bar tab” thing is real. However, when this happens, the music scene suffers, the lifeblood of good performers is drained away. Inevitably, the music will hit rock bottom and be stopped, or the venue closes.
The hard-working artists and singer/songwriters really deserve more that to be pushed aside.
Find good music or a good music venue, and let everyone know. Follow us on social media, share our work.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I have many stories that are fun now, but they weren’t at the time they happened. I had major gigs scheduled for Canton, Ohio, including the Stark County Fair as the anchor. The fair changed booking agents, and my booking was trashed without telling us. We had the other gigs on the books, so I drove to Canton, Ohio to honor my remaining bookings, knowing that it would barely be profitable. The first gig was supposed to be at the “premier” music venue in the area. It ended up being a dive bar where the patrons argued over the best drugs of choice. I had to take all my belongings inside and pack them around my feet on stage because someone broke the lock on my car trying to break into it. I literally turned towards the wall and played my entire set while I was being heckled. If I left, I wouldn’t get paid and I’d look bad. I had a great gig the following night at a cool venue called Grapes in a Glass, where I developed an incredible friendship with the owner!
On the way home, the transmission went out in my car, but I made it into Morgan County, Tennessee. Since, I regularly played the Morgan County Fair, I called up my friends who came and picked me up, towed my car back and we jammed half the night! Those boys could play!!! One of the guys drove me home and they delivered my car to a local dealer to get checked out!
It went from a disaster trip to one of the most memorable fun tours I ever had, just because I didn’t give up!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://craighendricksmusic.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/craig_hendricks_music
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/craighendricksmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craighendricksmusic5906/featured