Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Lackey.
Hi Craig, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always loved songwriting.
As a kid, I listened to all kinds of music, but singer-songwriters like Carole King, James Taylor, and Cat Stevens made me want to learn how to write songs. I always loved writing, playing, and singing, but I never realized that songwriting could be a real profession until much later in life.
My dad was an Electrical Engineer and my mom was a painter/artist. They worked and scraped so I could go to college where I got a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. I had a 30-year career in production, sales, and marketing in the industrial world.
All the while I was writing songs and playing in bands on the side. I managed to find work in Texas, where I’m from, then New York, Los Angeles, and finally Nashville. These places were attractive to me because they are major music centers and that is where I wanted to live.
In 2012, I was running a half marathon when at mile six, I dropped to the ground having suffered a heart attack. I had quadruple bypass surgery and luckily survived to tell the tale. But working just to get ahead and make more money had lost all its appeal. It was time to start anew. Over a three-year period, I managed to re-invent myself and by 2015 I left my day gig to write songs full time.
These days I write songs with many hit writers including Tim James (Lee Brice, Trace Adkins), Steve Williams (George Strait, Craig Morgan), and Rivers Rutherford (Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney). My biggest joy comes from helping talented singers and musicians connect with their audience by writing songs for them and with them that tap into the truth of who they are as artists.
Some of my proudest moments include writing songs from these artists:
Elles Bailey – the title track – Shining In The Half Light that reached #1Blues, #2 UK Americana, #4 Indie, and #42 overall Album on the UK Carts.
Dave Adkins – Cold In The Ground #6 on the Roots Music Review Traditional Bluegrass Chart
Maddie Wilson co-writer – 97,748 monthly listeners on Spotify
Christie Huff co-writer – 16,426 monthly listeners on Spotify
I also produce several music experiences in Nashville highlighting the talent of some of my favorite artists/writers. These include a neighborhood concert series held in East Nashville, called Lackeypalooza. We’ve had 26 shows over a 10-year period and have had over a dozen Grammy-winning writers perform at the show.
Lately, I’ve been doing a wine/food/song pairing evening called WineSong, combining my three loves (other than my wife, Jane). I’ve also produced concert events at local venues like The Crying Wolf, City Winery, and The Urban Cowboy Parlor.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The obstacles and struggles I’ve had to overcome to pursue this crazy dream of writing songs have been mostly self-inflicted. The biggest one I had to conquer has been self-doubt. In this town, I’m surrounded by some of the most talented songwriters, musicians, and singers in the world.
To believe that you have something to contribute takes a lot of guts and desire. It’s a daily struggle to believe in myself, but I think all creators have some of that same challenge. I just keep doing the work and celebrate the victories along the way.
Also because I never allowed myself to fully embrace this career path until I was in my 50s, I’m older than most of the folks I deal with. But, the wonderful truth is that you can write songs at any age and be successful. You just have to keep an open mind and be willing to learn.
It also helps that I write with many young, up-and-coming singers. Songwriting has been such a blessing in that I get to work with people of all ages from 16 to 96.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love co-writing! You meet up with one or a few talented people with nothing but hope. Start throwing ideas around and in a few hours or days or sometimes months, you create something bigger than everyone in the room.
You laugh and joke and cry and sometimes it gets very real and personal along the way. Sometimes you create something brilliant, sometimes it’s just good, but always it’s a great experience. Hard work but so fun!
If I were to be asked what I bring to a co-write, I’d say my strengths are coming up with original music with good prosody (music matching the lyric and emotion of the song). I’m good with making sure the storyline or plot of the song works. It’s like writing a little 3-minute movie.
I’m also very good at recognizing talented artists. And I’m very lucky to collaborate with amazing human beings. Finally, I try to be easy to be around, a very important skill in any creative endeavor.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Put yourself and your music out there.
These days with Instagram, TikTok, and the like, it’s easier than ever to let the world hear and see your work. Just make sure the quality is there first.
Be a good person and make friends with other creatives in your community. Find people at your level and work together to bring your group to the next level. All boats rise with the tide, as they say.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.craiglackey.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craiglack2002/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craiglackeysongs
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsWzURWGE6vTIK3OI1E10mw
