"Little Bit More of You"~~Get to Know Singer Songwriter Adam Craig

photo credit Adam Craig Facebook

You may have been hearing Adam Craig's name quite a bit lately as he is one of the co-writers of Parmalee's current single "Close Your Eyes." However, Adam has been in Nashville songwriting for ten years now. He fronts the Adam Craig Band, who has a new single "Little Bit More of You" being showcased as a Highway Find on Sirius XM's The Highway. Adam kindly took some time to call and chat to us about the single, songwriting and more.

You and your band have been together since 2006. Can you tell us how you decided to pursue country music as a career?

Well, I was trying the lotto a lot, but that just wasn't working (laughing). No, really I just don't know what else I would possibly do. I started playing guitar when I was about eighteen years old; a couple of bad relationships here and there and the next thing you know I was writing songs. I made the decision to take the plunge and move to Nashville from Washington. 
Even though three of us in the band are from Washington state, we all met each other in Nashville. We all were playing on Broadway and were involved in the whole music scene. We just gravitated towards one another.

Was country what you listened to growing up?

I switched over from the great hair bands of the 80's to country music in 1989 when Garth Brooks came out.

Who is your biggest musical influence?

The person I wanted to be forever was Travis Tritt and then Tim McGraw all through the 90's. Then when 2000 hit, it was Keith Urban because he wrote his own songs and played guitar. Now, I would have to say that other great songwriters are my biggest influences. 

You have written songs recorded by Jason Aldean ("Church Pew or Bar Stool") and Parmalee ("Close Your Eyes"). Talk about writing a little bit. 

They say Nashville is a ten year town and it's so crazy because this is my tenth year and I have never had this many people cut songs. I have eleven cuts this year so far which is crazy. 
I write for Sony Music and every day I turn in my songs. They pitch them and place them in people's hands. I write with people every day so we have an abundance of songs and you hope that maybe one of them will be the next huge hit. One of the great things about Nashville is that you're buddies with all the guys on radio and it is inevitable that you're going to run into people and maybe share a story with them. Everybody roots for each other here which is so cool. There is always a competitive spirit, but it's one that drives everyone to be better. It's healthy competition, not cutthroat.

Your single "Little Bit More of You" is a current Highway Find. How did Sirius XM get the song and what does it mean to you that they are playing it?

Oh my gosh, it's a dream come true and so cool. It's crazy. Just about a year ago we were playing guitar with Cole Swindell at spring break opening for Luke Bryan. We played in front of 120,000 people in two days. He had just gotten word that "Chillin' It" was going to be a Highway Find. I didn't even know what that meant, but was like 'right on buddy' and now he's a superstar. This past October, I opened a show, which turned out to be an XM show, for him in Chicago at Joe's Bar. We played our set like every other night trying to do the best we can. Afterwards, John Marks stopped me and we had a really casual conversation about what I'm doing. The he tells me 'you're ready' and asks me to give him some music. It was just so neat because it happened so naturally. I finally heard the song in full yesterday which was the coolest thing ever. I'm very thrilled and excited because you never know what will happen.

Is there a story behind the song?

I wrote that song with Brandon Kinney and Michael Carter probably two years ago now. We wanted to write a love song, but put our own little flair on it. You know you never know what you're gonna get when you go into a writing session. You are put in a room with different people, who have their own ideas and direction, every single day. So it's really cool when you all hit it off and write a song.
It's just so awesome to have this song on the radio now. I have never woken up to a hundred messages before. I was so eager to read and respond to everybody. It is amazing when people record your songs. Having success with other people singing your songs first is awesome and I am so thankful, but truth be told the reason I moved to Nashville was because I wanted to sing the songs I write, that's why having "Little Bit More of You" out is so cool.

You have released a full length record and two EPs. Do you have plans to release more?

Yes, we just finished an EP. Michael [Carter, Luke Bryan's guitar player] is really busy, but as soon as we got the news that The Highway was going to start spinning the song, we decided too go into the studio and do what we needed to do. I am so excited that he produced the EP. It's so great to have a buddy that you can go into the studio with knowing you both want to get the best product you possibly can. 
The EP is available at our live shows and should be up on iTunes shortly. 

What are your plans for 2014?

I would like to get in front of as many people as possible; that's my #1 goal. We had the opportunity recently to open for Eric Church, whom I idolize. The chance to get in front of his crowds was so much fun and the coolest thing ever. 
In addition to playing, I also just want to write as many good songs as I possibly can.

What are you listening to now?

"Talladega" by Eric Church. I am listening to that whole record in general. I am really loving that and the new Eminem record.

For more information visit the Adam Craig Band official website
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