Charley Crockett knows how to handle a cover of a country music classic.
The Texas native has always done things his own way, mixing the stylings of country and blues to craft a very signature sound. And the man stays busy. Since 2015, Crockett has released twelve studio albums, with his most recent projects being $10 Cowboy and $10 Cowboy Chapter II – Visions of Dallas.
There’s really no one like Charley Crockett in the music industry. He bet on himself when he self-released his debut album back in 2015, and through his hard work and persistent and consistent way of going about music, things have only gone up for him since then. Crockett recently wrapped up his $10 Cowboy Tour, and he more recently traveled to New York to play a set at Farm Aid 2024.
As you likely already know, Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp back in 1985. They recognized a need to raise money to help farmers across the country, and as Farm Aid’s website explains, the event has been going strong ever since:
“Since 1985, the annual Farm Aid festival has celebrated family farmers, good food and incredible music.
But Farm Aid works every day to support our nation’s family farmers and ranchers who are growing the good food for healthy families, strengthening our communities and protecting soil and water.
Farm Aid needs your help so we can continue to provide the support they need – now more than ever.”
If you are so inclined, donations can be submitted through Farm Aid’s website. If you are just here for the video of Charley Crockett’s performance, I promise I’m getting to it.
While the country music singer was bringing his talents to the Farm Aid stage, he took a moment to stray away from his own catalogue. Crockett decided to cover one of the all time greats, which can be risky if not done well.
But this is Charley Crockett we’re talking about here.
When it came time to play his final song of his set, he decided to close things out with Waylon Jennings’ “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way.” Released in 1975 as a part of Waylon’s Dreaming My Dreams album, it’s considered one of the most successful and popular tracks in Jennings’ entire catalog. It was also adopted as the anthem of the outlaw movement.
And Charley Crockett is somewhat of a modern day outlaw himself, so it made sense that he sang these lyrics (and also traded out Hank’s name for Waylon and Willie Nelson throughout the song):
“Somebody told me when I came to Nashville
‘Son, you finally got it made!
Old Willie made it here, we’re all sure that you will’
But I don’t think Hank done it this way, no
I don’t think Waylon done it this way, okay.”
All in all, it was a great way for Crockett to simultaneously pay tribute to some of his idols and honor the likes of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, who had a lot to do with the early success of Farm Aid (Willie still plays a critical role in Farm Aid to this day). It’s also a great song to end a set with, and the Texas native nailed it.
Check it out: