Charley Crockett Tributes James Hand with “Lesson in Depression”
Charley Crockett is one of the most formidable country artists for keeping the flame of authentic country music burning at the moment. With purpose and a servant’s heart, he leans into this charge once again with this unexpected cover of the James Hand song “Lesson in Depression,” which was one of the signature licks on Hand’s 2012 album Mighty Lonesome Man.
James Hand passed away on June 8th, 2020 at the age of 68. Considered one of the most authentic individuals to ever lend a voice to country, Hand’s music career didn’t start until he was 47-years-old. But over time, he became a legend of the Texas honky tonks and beyond. Charley was first turned onto James Hand in Memphis a few years back While Hand was performing the old Tom T. Hall song “How I Got To Memphis.”
“I was up for an Ameripolitan Award a couple years back and I went down to one of Dale Watson’s showcases at Blues City on Beale Street,” Charley Crockett says. “Well ol’ Slim got up on stage with the band and they went in to that old Tom T. Hall number. I think James Hand is the greatest living honky tonker, and he had me in tears with the way he was singing those lyrics. He chokes me up every time I hear him sing.”
Charley Crockett puts his “Gulf & Western” spin on “Lesson in Depression,” adding that dollop of throwback classic style to the lonesome honky tonk song written by James Hand. “Willie Nelson called him ‘The Real Deal’ and I’m telling you right now it’s a fact that there wasn’t a more authentic character in country music during James’ lifetime,” Charley Crockett says.
Crockett released his latest record Welcome to Hard Times in 2020, but hasn’t been wasting any time since. He released another cover song in the form of Billy Swan’s 1974 song “I Can Help” which has been soaring on the radio charts, currently sitting at #2 on Americana radio, and has been receiving a lot of attention on AAA radio as well.
Charley Crockett also said upon the release of the new single, “My heart and mind have been heavy over the struggles of my fellow Texans. I will be donating proceeds from my new single to Texas disaster relief groups. Because the need is immediate, myself, my label partner Thirty Tigers, and my management The Next Waltz will be donating today to the Mutual Aid groups in Austin and Houston, and Feed The People in Dallas. If you have the means to do so I encourage you to donate to these worthy causes.”
Mutual Aid Austin, Mutual Aid Houston and Feed The People Dallas
Dogit
February 19, 2021 @ 9:59 am
I love this guy! Charlie gets country music!
DownSouthJukin
February 19, 2021 @ 10:03 am
This is real damn good! Going right onto my weekend drinkin’ playlist.
Jorge
February 19, 2021 @ 10:27 am
Brilliant
Mark Tembreull
February 19, 2021 @ 12:11 pm
Been listening to Charley’s last 2 records a lot lately
Brian
February 19, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
He is on fire right now! I know he has gained a lot of traction lately, but part of me thinks he should even be bigger at this point. I mean how much longer can he keep up this type of creative output from a quantity perspective.
Big Tex
February 19, 2021 @ 2:42 pm
I wonder when Charley will do a cover of the Marty Robbins hit, “Ballad of the Alamo,” considering Charley claims to be a descendant of Davy Crockett.
(Eye roll.)
Trigger
February 19, 2021 @ 8:04 pm
Big Tex,
I’m only approving this comment to tell you that you either need to choose to be a productive part of this comment community, or move on. You’ve left this same comment over and over, and it’s not funny. Charley Crockett addressed this on Instagram recently if you want to go over there and check it out. You don’t believe him? Fine. You’ve made your point. Now move on.
Big Tex
February 20, 2021 @ 4:26 pm
Thanks, Trigger.
It’s interesting what different people think is humorous and is not humorous.
Everyone I mention it to thinks it’s hilarious.
I would love to learn how Charley Crockett addressed this claim, but I am not now, now will I ever be on Instagram, Facebook, or any other entity owned or controlled by Zuckerberg.
Perhaps you can summarize how he explained his claim?
Trigger
February 20, 2021 @ 5:34 pm
You don’t need to have Instagram to check out an Instagram post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJltL5Pnqzc/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJpXNWDnhXE/
Big Tex
February 22, 2021 @ 12:28 pm
Sorry, Trigger, but I can access only a very small portion of the Instagram posts you linked to. It says I must join to see more.
So, for now, color me unconvinced.
Harpo
February 19, 2021 @ 3:24 pm
There is nothing about this I don’t love.
Dogit
February 19, 2021 @ 4:49 pm
I hope he keeps up his output pace.
Ells Eastwood
February 19, 2021 @ 5:11 pm
I don’t love Charley Crockett, but I’m glad he’s doing what he’s doing.
On another note; i had never (knowingly) listened to James Hand before i read Trig’s obituary but I’m really glad I decided to check him out.
Stellar
February 19, 2021 @ 5:29 pm
Also check out Justin Trevino and a few of the other Texas honky tonkers who are carrying on this tradition. There are tons of great artists doing this actually.
Joseph
February 19, 2021 @ 5:54 pm
I sat next to Charley on a flight from Denver about a year ago. He is the real deal, very humble and genuine. We sang several songs together and I felt that I had made a friend. Gosh, how I wish we were still in touch.
Corncaster
February 19, 2021 @ 6:37 pm
Man, this sounds good. Nice playing, frames the vocal really well.
“If you choose to stay, I could help you lose your way”
Rings true.
TennisShoeCowboy
February 19, 2021 @ 8:11 pm
Charley Crockett has rocketed to the top of the list of my favorite artists. In addition to his incredible talent, I really appreciate his respect and admiration for the artists that came before him.
Chris
February 19, 2021 @ 8:22 pm
James Hand is an awesome talent.
Kudos to Charley for doing a tribute to James.
Brian
February 19, 2021 @ 10:44 pm
What a great paragraph that has Dale Watson, Charley Crockett, James Hand, and Tom T. Hall in it.
Corncaster
February 20, 2021 @ 7:59 pm
Just an observation, but most of the time there’s not a single living soul in an official Charley Crockett music video but him.
Di Harris
February 20, 2021 @ 8:20 pm
He was riding a paint in Run Horse Run. And there was a raven.
Sometimes those are the only friends you need.
: D
Corncaster
February 21, 2021 @ 12:29 pm
During the day, maybe.
Di Harris
February 21, 2021 @ 4:49 pm
: D
Emmons Day
February 24, 2021 @ 8:49 pm
Cool stuff. I like sounds, love the instrumentation- mostly the songs/artists this guy covers a lot- anything to shine a well-deserved light back, particularly on a contemporary master like Hand (RIP).
What consistently baffles me- 1-he’s just not good at singing. I appreciated the cadence, pace and lilt of his earlier stuff, and I also appreciate that he’s not whatever the fuck that’s on The Voice/new grand ole opry is supposed to be, but man. Phrasing, pitch, feeling. I know country asks very little of male singers- obviously there are some great ones, and a lot that sing with some feeling, or at the vary least some variation or dynamics. I dunno. I do grow to love the unique voices in country dearly, but that’s usually accompanied by killer material/longevity. Maybe the live sets have more of a pulse?
2- what he is consistently good at is staring off while on camera/being on camera/being alone on camera. Maybe it’s a label thing- I always hope it’s that when I see it, and not an artist’s ‘more me’ wish- americana/genericana porn-deserts and rodeos and nature and jeans and hats and more staring off- this is AJ jet ski’n the chatahoochee (without a smile or sense of humor) for a certain crowd. From the music and interviews I’ve heard, he seems like a good dude.
Timothy Lyall
July 23, 2022 @ 10:24 am
this guy is cool
Alex Thomson
December 28, 2022 @ 7:09 am
Yes, he’s a great guy! It is a pity that country as a genre is now losing popularity, it could become a legend of society.
GhostVAG
December 28, 2022 @ 6:46 am
Great music, great day.