This was probably the most eventful concert I have ever been to. We arrived early, a necessity if you expect a good parking place. We spent some time visiting with WXBQ on-air personality Marcus Brooks, and several other team members. We’ve been going to this fair for 40 years. Our visit with Aaron Hamilton and Bill Graham, Main Stage Security and Fair Board Members, is always special. All this visiting was after I dropped my camera, which resulted in a lens looking like this (picture right). Between that and a very frightening, dangerous thunderstorm which included close by lightning strikes, the afternoon went on. I think my pictures are okay. At least enough of them to go with the article. But I’ve definitely got a new camera on my wish list.
We had an interview scheduled for 6:30 with Craig. The show scheduled for 8 p.m. When it came time for the interview we waded through standing water and made it backstage to speak to Craig. He was super nice. Gave us all the time we needed and of course posed with us for a few pictures. You will see that interview below this show review.
Shortly after the interview, the sun came out! What a great site. We had been concerned that there wouldn’t even be a show – with the reserved seats all being metal, and the bleachers metal, we know the fair would not allow us all to sit out there like tiny lightning rods on those metal seats. But, it stopped. I think God had a plan here. The show started and everyone had the best time!
The concert got down to about two songs, when I seemed to think it would be a good time to cause a scene. Not anything intentional. However unavoidable. I was going to move back a few rows to get to my husband. I stood up, noticed people making videos, bent over to get out of their way – all while trying to get the cover off of my chair. As I was hunched over, pulling on the cover, I fell. Hard. I hit my head on the runway, rolled over with my head nearly under the stage. and don’t remember anything after that until a flashlight was shining in my eyes, and there was a huge crowd with me, and the music had stopped. Huge thank you to Todd Sassano, bass guitarist for Craig, who is also a retired fireman/EMT and was (I’m told) first on the scene to check on me. Fair EMS team came to me, an ambulance arrived, they put me up on the runway and wheeled me through the stage to the back and out to a waiting ambulance. I’m okay. CT scan, X-rays showed no breaks. I was in the hospital until 4 a.m. Can’t tell everyone how much I appreciated their help.
Now…let’s get started telling you about this show. Craig opened the show with “A Lot to Live Up To”. When you are listening to the band as much as you are the artist, you know you are in for a great show. I think I’ll start with that band. Have you ever watched four people work so closely together you might think they were family. This group did that! You’ve often heard me say a band ‘works well together’. This one entertains together! I’m not sure how long these guys have been playing together – I know that changes with all bands from time to time. But my vote goes to these great musicians and Craig Campbell. Working alongside Craig were Jason Miller, Guitarist from Indiana; Isaac Loon, drummer, Biscayne, Australia; Todd Sassano, Bass player from Clovis, Calif. I think I have as many pictures of the band, as I have of the headliner. And we can’t forget Logan Downs, he handled production for the show. He was right at home, hailing from Bristol, TN – only a few miles from the fairgrounds.
When you see a show like the one Craig put on this past Saturday, it is easy to run out of adjectives, almost from the start. To say the show was astonishing fantastic, incredible and magnificent barely begins to tell you about what we saw on the main stage of the Appalachian Fair that night.
Craig has that ability to play to his audience. Smiling, pointing at people who were shooting photos or taking a video. He uses the runway to get right out with his audience, and he smiles every time his eyes meet up with a face in the crowd.
You can’t help but to admire everything that he does to make his show an awe-inspiring memory. This was a show that people will be talking about for a long time. For some. this was the first show – I’m sure it will not be their last. For any of our readers who have never seen Craig on stage, you really need to get this one on your bucket list.
The fans got to sing along here and there – they really didn’t need to be invited to. Most knowing the words to singles and album cuts alike. Time to mention that band again. They leave their spot, play close to each other and close to Craig, it was all fun to watch. Every minute was entertaining, lively and totally enjoyable.
I know we all listen to his music on the radio online. But there really is nothing like seeing him work. For me, this is the country artist who is not receiving the credit and recognition he deserves. When you see him, I have no doubt you will agree.
Craig is independent now. No commercial label. Be as that may, Craig is back on the radio. His fan base is expanding – more proof in that audience that he has fans from the age of 3 to very mature. 🙂
Being a huge supporter of the 2nd Amendment and the NRA, Craig showed us all how much all this means with the song, “Stick To Our Guns”. He had mentioned, in a 2024 Interview with the National Rifle Association: VS: Tell us about your new single, “Stick To Our Guns.” Craig: That song is about the Second Amendment and how awesome it is. There is a reason why it was the Second Amendment—right after the First. It is the bedrock of America. It is God-given. We have to support it! [Source: Craig Campbell Is NRA Country | An Official Journal Of The NRA) The response from the crowd verified that they agreed with Craig, 100 percent. No one here can imagine hunting season without guns! Or even having the right to protect your property and your family.
Craig sang “Family Man,” “Mas Tequila”, “Outskirts of Heaven”, “Never Mine”, “Killin’ Time”, “Things You Do in a Truck”, “Outta My Head”, “Me Missing You”, and of course, “Missing You” and so many more! He did do “Fish” and “Keep Them Kisses Comin'”, I love the older ones he sang, “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (Joe Diffie)”, “Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)”, “Bluest Eyes in Texas (Restless Heart)”, and “Stay Here and Drink (Merle Haggard)”.
Below the Interview, we will post as many pictures as we are able. Remember that little lens problem…we tried.
INTERVIEW
CC: You started the Kenny Campbell Foundation as a fundraiser to honor the memory of your dad. All the funds you raise support that foundation. Tell us a little about that charity.
CRAIG: Kenny Campbell Foundation started 2 years ago. The Cornhole tournament started in 2012, but it wasn’t until about 2 or 3 years ago was when I decided to do my own 501(C) 3 charity. Up until that time I was working with an organization called Fight Colorectal Cancer. Love those guys. We still do a lot of work together. Over the course of 12 years, we have raised more than a million dollars in total for the foundation. Through the cornhole tournament, galas, concerts and other fundraising events.
CC: Will the Ryman show be an annual event?
CRAIG: The Ryman Show this year was a great fundraiser for the Foundation, We Hope that it will be the first of many. The next one will probably not be held at the Ryman. Ryman is awesome. It is beautiful, but it took a lot of coordination. We aren’t quite there yet…. Maybe in the future we will get back to Ryman, but the logistics of doing a show there required long hours and a lot of from many people.
CC: Who is the artist you most enjoyed opening for the most?
CRAIG: Early on when I first got started, I did a handful of shows with Alan Jackson. It fit. If that makes sense. My music and his music worked. His fans were very receptive to my music. I would say that was a cool opening situation for me.
CC: You didn’t write” Missing You”. I’ve heard it before. From you, I believe. Can you tell me more about that?
CRAIG: I did not write it. I Put it on an EP When I was with Broken Bow, we didn’t release it. We released a little six-song EP. It was on that. It did have a different title. Then I became independent, so I decided to re-record it and give it a new title and send it to radio.
CC: I love Jonathon Singleton. He was one of the writers of “Missing You”, along with Barry Dean and Dave Barnes). Do you have a writer you enjoy collaborating with? Do you write most of your own songs?
CRAIG: I collaborate with everything. I’ve never been able to write anything by myself. On the debut album, I cowrote 9 of the 11 songs that don’t have one that I love working with more than the others. I do know what they bring and what their strong suits are. I know what their style is. If I have a song in mind, and I know it would fit a certain cowriter, I call them. As far as 1 that I would rather write with, no. They are all great and I enjoy working with all of them.
CC: What is your favorite Craig Campbell Song?
CRAIG: Every song I’ve written I feel like has something about it that I love. I don’t know that I could pick one.
CC: We believe this is your first time performing in Northeast Tennessee, is that correct?
CRAIG: I think so. I’ve been to Knoxville, and I feel like I’ve been to Johnson City, I think. I’ve been here several times, but I’m not sure I’ve been out here to play. I love this part of Tennessee.
CC: Tell us a little about Grindstone Cowboy. In Eagleville, Tenn. Tell us where that is. You and Mindy and Preslee and Kinnie Rose have all sung there. Do you do that often?
CRAIG: We opened that about Grindstone about three years ago. Eagleville is just south of Nashville. I play there once a month. Mindy and Preslee play there about once every two months. Kinnie is a great singer, she just doesn’t love it. But she will come to grace us once a year when we do our Christmas shows.
CC: Based on this, do you think either of the girls will pursue a career in music?
CRAIG: Preslee is into it hard, but Kinnie Rose, I don’t know. We don’t know about Kinnie yet. She loves it, she’s good at it, but we don’t know if she would want to do anything with it.
CC: You all seem to love horses. Do you own any now?
CRAIG: We used to have horses, but ever since we’ve opened Grindstone Cowboy and the girls are into other things like volleyball, boys and all that stuff. We don’t have a lot of time for horses, so we sold them.
CC: What do you think about doing a television show like “Dancing With the Stars”, or judging on a music talent competition show?
CRAIG: I would never say no. It would have to make sense.
FANS WANT TO AKS:
FAVOIRITE COLOR: Blue
FAVORITE FOOD: Pasta
FAVORITE BOOK: Bible
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Never Ending Story”
FAVRITE 80-90S ARTIST: All of them
VACATION SPOT: Colorado for the holidays, because you are almost guaranteed a White Christmas.
WHAT IS IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR NOW? Milk, Beer, Ham, Lettuce, Mayonnaise, Leftovers, Chicken.
CC: Do you have anything you would like to say about your career, what you are looking forward to, or even playing here tonight?
CRAIG: I am blessed to still be doing this. I was asked early on in my career ‘where do you see yourself in 10 years?”. I told them I just hoped I would still be doing this. And, I am.
Photo Credit: Country’s Chatter, Donna Rea, Diana Crowden, Larry Rea
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