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Charley Crockett gets key to Clovis after surprise show
The Texas singer performed tracks from his album 'Clovis' at the Norman & Vi Petty Performing Arts Center
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CLOVIS 鈥� The city of Clovis rolled out the red carpet for Texas singer-songwriter Charley Crockett.
Crockett came to the eastern New Mexico town Thursday night for an impromptu performance, just weeks after the rerelease of his album 鈥淐lovis,鈥� which pays homage to the Curry County seat.
The album was originally released in April but was pulled from streaming services because of a dispute with his former record label, Island Records, according to Parade magazine. Atlantic Outpost rereleased the album July 3.
When Crockett took the stage at the Norman & Vi Petty Performing Arts Center at 9:20 p.m., the crowd of more than 450 greeted him and his band, The Blue Drifters, with a deafening ovation.
During the two-hour performance, Crockett played songs from the album, including "Waylon Rides Again," an ode to Waylon Jennings, who was born about an hour southeast of Clovis near Littlefield, Texas.
The crowd grew even louder when he sang: "I've roamed that old highway, the dusty 84/From Lubbock up to Clovis, ten thousand times or more/Yes, I do/Got to make my amends/Where Waylon/Waylon rides again."
鈥淐lovis鈥� was produced at Norman Petty Studios, where Texas legends like Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Buddy Knox and Jennings cut tunes and helped create what has been dubbed the The new album was coproduced by Crockett and his friend and album producer, Waylon鈥檚 son, Shooter Jennings.
鈥淭his is a place that has as important a history on American music as anywhere in the history of this country,鈥� Crockett told the audience. 鈥淎nd if you don鈥檛 already know that, I want you to really believe it because it鈥檚 the truth. It really is.鈥�
鈥楽uch a special place鈥�
A few hours before the show, Crockett attended the Clovis City Commission meeting where he was thanked for giving the concert, which had even caught the attention of .
鈥淐CC鈥檚 (Clovis Community College) Cultural Art Series reflects our belief that communities of every size deserve access to exceptional arts and entertainment, enriching the quality of life for our students, families and visitors,鈥� CCC President Jonathan Fuentes said. 鈥淢r. Crockett, thank you so much for so generously sharing your talent with us today.鈥�
Clovis Mayor Mike Morris then gave Crockett the key to the city and told him July 23 would be proclaimed as "Charley Crockett Day鈥� in appreciation for him 鈥渟hining a spotlight on Clovis far beyond our city limits,鈥� Morris said.
Crockett said he "felt more comfortable making a record here in Clovis than any place that I ever have (been)."
鈥淎nd there are a lot of reasons for that,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 like the culture. New Mexico, to me, is such a special place because it doesn't feel entirely taken over by, you know, modern mass consumer culture. ... There's a vibrancy and a uniqueness and a magic to New Mexico that I've always felt drawn to.鈥�
After Crockett signed the proclamation, Clovis resident Jesse Soria and his girlfriend posed for a picture with the musician, who then signed her purse.
"(Meeting him) was a great, great feeling because, you know, it's someone that we listen to on a daily basis, " Soria said. 鈥�(When) we saw that he was coming to town, the first thing I did was buy tickets. I didn鈥檛 second guess it or nothing.鈥�
Soria and his girlfriend were among the hundreds of people who lined up outside the Norman & Vi Petty Performing Arts Center in the 100-degree heat and watched as dozens of classic cars parked on Main Street.
The first people to arrive were Michael Russell and his girlfriend Cheyenne Gonzales, of Hereford, Texas.
"We usually show up to a lot of places about two to three hours before doors even open, especially for general admission shows," Russell said. "It usually will help guarantee you a pretty darn good spot."
Aside from 鈥淐lovis鈥� tracks, Russell, Gonzales and others were treated to other Crockett tunes and covers, including Tanya Tucker鈥檚 鈥淛amestown Ferry.鈥�
Toward the end of the concert, Crockett thanked the city for its hospitality.
鈥淭o respond to us the way ya鈥檒l have 鈥� I have just been overcome with gratitude and joy and just a sense of feeling like I belong around here,鈥� he said.
When the show ended around 11:15 p.m., people continued dancing and screaming Charley鈥檚 name.
鈥淭his was a great show,鈥� several said in unison as they walked out.
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
