I'm Craig. I'm married to Laura. I live in Nashville and make music for a living. I play guitar, write songs, and produce records.

What Dashboard Confessional Taught Me About Music

I have a confession to make…a dashboard confession if you will.

Yes, I admit it. I loved Dashboard Confessional when I was in 10th grade. There was just something about how Chris Carabba screamed about heartbreak that connected with my 15 year old soul.

My favorite album was “MTV Unplugged 2.0.” It was a live album (which I’ve always been drawn to), it had many of his “greatest hits” (with “hits” being used incredibly loosely), and it had a full band on many of the songs (albeit unplugged).

Recently, I had a streak of nostalgia and decided to pull that album up on my iPod. After I managed to choke down the memories of teenage heartache, the first thing I noticed was the sloppiness of the band. As a musician, this is common for me. You can call it being a professional or a prideful nitpick, but it is my curse. The main issue was the drums. Fills were all over the place and timing was really inconsistent. But I never noticed this sloppiness 10 years ago.

I just knew that I loved the music.

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Three Things I Thought Were a Waste of Time

On Monday, Jon Acuff posted on his blog about his “DCL” or “Doesn’t Count List.”

 Essentially, the list is of things that you might do in your day that don’t feel productive in pursing your dream. Yet in reality, they are healthy and good activities.  

This resonated with me in a huge way. As a freelance musician, I see my wife go to her 9 to 5 job every day and feel a sense of failure when my day isn’t “as productive as hers.” That is absolutely not a fair comparison. Freelance work does tend to come in waves, and I have clearly seen God provide for me continually over the last 3 years that I have been doing this. There are plenty of things that I can spend my time doing that are important, but not immediately financially beneficial.  

So, in an attempt to remind myself that these are good and helpful things, here are 3 items from my DCL:

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Why I’ve Stopped Trying to Single-Handedly Save the World Through Song

There is a myth in music that the most talented people work alone, and for the longest time, I bought into it. I would hear John Mayer talk about sitting down and writing one of his biggest hits in an hour. I would read liner notes of artists playing almost every instrument on a record, and I thought that was the pinnacle of success in artistry.

For me, that was a really discouraging way of thinking. I’ve wasted so many hours sitting in my room by myself trying to write a great song or produce an amazing track. While I can create things on my own, I do it better with other people involved, and it’s more fun. Still, I thought going it alone was the way it was supposed to be.

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My Favorite Albums of 2011 I am generally not a fan of New Years. In my opinion, it is a lot of hype for something that is often a let down. One thing that I do look forward to around the holiday is publishing my annual favorite albums list (Check out last year’s post here). So I present to you (in order of release) my favorite albums of 2011 Augustana - AugustanaThough this album was released before any of the others on this list, it is my most recent discovery. In November, while on the road with my friend Brett Rutledge late at night, everyone in the van was putting on their favorite albums to keep us awake. Brett put on this album, and I was hooked after the first minute. This album is such a great pop rock album. The melodies are incredibly catchy. The production is great. Every time I listen to it, I can’t help but say “man, that’s a great album!” This is pop music at its best. Standout Song - Shot in the Dark Leagues - Leagues EPLet me introduce you to my new favorite band. I was excited about Leagues before I ever heard a single song. They are a super group of 4 incredibly talented musicians, including one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Thad Cockrell. His solo album “To Be Loved” is one of my favorite albums of all time. Leagues Drummer, Jeremy Lutito, has played on many albums that I love as well. Cockrell’s sense of melody and incredible voice combined with one of the best rhythm sections in music make for an amazing EP. It’s pop with some rock and old R&B as well. This EP was released to help raise funds to finish a full length album. These 3 songs definitely have left me wanting more from Leagues. Standout Song - Magic All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside EPI have already done a Music Monday Post on this EP, so I won’t speak too much more about it. However, I will say that I love this album as much today as I did in July. I can’t wait for the follow up to this album which will be released on January 17th! Standout Song - Brokenness Aside NEEDTOBREATHE - The ReckoningNEEDTOBREATHE’s album, “The Outsiders” was on my top albums list in 2009. It remained in frequent rotation in my car from then until September of 2011 when “The Reckoning” was released. I was worried as to whether or not they would be able to create another album that I loved as much as “The Outsiders,” but “The Reckoning” put those fears to rest. Needtobreathe has a very distinct sound that begins with Bear Rinehart’s powerful vocals. These are accompanied by a great combination of folk, country, and rock colors. I genuinely don’t know what else to say about this album. It’s amazing. This is my most difficult album to pick 1 standout track for, but if I have to:Standout Song - White Fences Katie Herzig - The Waking SleepAnother album which has already been featured in Music Monday. In that post, I said lookout for this album on my best of 2011 list. I was correct. This album has continued to be a musical inspiration to me over the last few months. Standout Song - Lost and Found  My Favorite Albums of 2011 I am generally not a fan of New Years. In my opinion, it is a lot of hype for something that is often a let down. One thing that I do look forward to around the holiday is publishing my annual favorite albums list (Check out last year’s post here). So I present to you (in order of release) my favorite albums of 2011 Augustana - AugustanaThough this album was released before any of the others on this list, it is my most recent discovery. In November, while on the road with my friend Brett Rutledge late at night, everyone in the van was putting on their favorite albums to keep us awake. Brett put on this album, and I was hooked after the first minute. This album is such a great pop rock album. The melodies are incredibly catchy. The production is great. Every time I listen to it, I can’t help but say “man, that’s a great album!” This is pop music at its best. Standout Song - Shot in the Dark Leagues - Leagues EPLet me introduce you to my new favorite band. I was excited about Leagues before I ever heard a single song. They are a super group of 4 incredibly talented musicians, including one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Thad Cockrell. His solo album “To Be Loved” is one of my favorite albums of all time. Leagues Drummer, Jeremy Lutito, has played on many albums that I love as well. Cockrell’s sense of melody and incredible voice combined with one of the best rhythm sections in music make for an amazing EP. It’s pop with some rock and old R&B as well. This EP was released to help raise funds to finish a full length album. These 3 songs definitely have left me wanting more from Leagues. Standout Song - Magic All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside EPI have already done a Music Monday Post on this EP, so I won’t speak too much more about it. However, I will say that I love this album as much today as I did in July. I can’t wait for the follow up to this album which will be released on January 17th! Standout Song - Brokenness Aside NEEDTOBREATHE - The ReckoningNEEDTOBREATHE’s album, “The Outsiders” was on my top albums list in 2009. It remained in frequent rotation in my car from then until September of 2011 when “The Reckoning” was released. I was worried as to whether or not they would be able to create another album that I loved as much as “The Outsiders,” but “The Reckoning” put those fears to rest. Needtobreathe has a very distinct sound that begins with Bear Rinehart’s powerful vocals. These are accompanied by a great combination of folk, country, and rock colors. I genuinely don’t know what else to say about this album. It’s amazing. This is my most difficult album to pick 1 standout track for, but if I have to:Standout Song - White Fences Katie Herzig - The Waking SleepAnother album which has already been featured in Music Monday. In that post, I said lookout for this album on my best of 2011 list. I was correct. This album has continued to be a musical inspiration to me over the last few months. Standout Song - Lost and Found  My Favorite Albums of 2011 I am generally not a fan of New Years. In my opinion, it is a lot of hype for something that is often a let down. One thing that I do look forward to around the holiday is publishing my annual favorite albums list (Check out last year’s post here). So I present to you (in order of release) my favorite albums of 2011 Augustana - AugustanaThough this album was released before any of the others on this list, it is my most recent discovery. In November, while on the road with my friend Brett Rutledge late at night, everyone in the van was putting on their favorite albums to keep us awake. Brett put on this album, and I was hooked after the first minute. This album is such a great pop rock album. The melodies are incredibly catchy. The production is great. Every time I listen to it, I can’t help but say “man, that’s a great album!” This is pop music at its best. Standout Song - Shot in the Dark Leagues - Leagues EPLet me introduce you to my new favorite band. I was excited about Leagues before I ever heard a single song. They are a super group of 4 incredibly talented musicians, including one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Thad Cockrell. His solo album “To Be Loved” is one of my favorite albums of all time. Leagues Drummer, Jeremy Lutito, has played on many albums that I love as well. Cockrell’s sense of melody and incredible voice combined with one of the best rhythm sections in music make for an amazing EP. It’s pop with some rock and old R&B as well. This EP was released to help raise funds to finish a full length album. These 3 songs definitely have left me wanting more from Leagues. Standout Song - Magic All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside EPI have already done a Music Monday Post on this EP, so I won’t speak too much more about it. However, I will say that I love this album as much today as I did in July. I can’t wait for the follow up to this album which will be released on January 17th! Standout Song - Brokenness Aside NEEDTOBREATHE - The ReckoningNEEDTOBREATHE’s album, “The Outsiders” was on my top albums list in 2009. It remained in frequent rotation in my car from then until September of 2011 when “The Reckoning” was released. I was worried as to whether or not they would be able to create another album that I loved as much as “The Outsiders,” but “The Reckoning” put those fears to rest. Needtobreathe has a very distinct sound that begins with Bear Rinehart’s powerful vocals. These are accompanied by a great combination of folk, country, and rock colors. I genuinely don’t know what else to say about this album. It’s amazing. This is my most difficult album to pick 1 standout track for, but if I have to:Standout Song - White Fences Katie Herzig - The Waking SleepAnother album which has already been featured in Music Monday. In that post, I said lookout for this album on my best of 2011 list. I was correct. This album has continued to be a musical inspiration to me over the last few months. Standout Song - Lost and Found  My Favorite Albums of 2011 I am generally not a fan of New Years. In my opinion, it is a lot of hype for something that is often a let down. One thing that I do look forward to around the holiday is publishing my annual favorite albums list (Check out last year’s post here). So I present to you (in order of release) my favorite albums of 2011 Augustana - AugustanaThough this album was released before any of the others on this list, it is my most recent discovery. In November, while on the road with my friend Brett Rutledge late at night, everyone in the van was putting on their favorite albums to keep us awake. Brett put on this album, and I was hooked after the first minute. This album is such a great pop rock album. The melodies are incredibly catchy. The production is great. Every time I listen to it, I can’t help but say “man, that’s a great album!” This is pop music at its best. Standout Song - Shot in the Dark Leagues - Leagues EPLet me introduce you to my new favorite band. I was excited about Leagues before I ever heard a single song. They are a super group of 4 incredibly talented musicians, including one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Thad Cockrell. His solo album “To Be Loved” is one of my favorite albums of all time. Leagues Drummer, Jeremy Lutito, has played on many albums that I love as well. Cockrell’s sense of melody and incredible voice combined with one of the best rhythm sections in music make for an amazing EP. It’s pop with some rock and old R&B as well. This EP was released to help raise funds to finish a full length album. These 3 songs definitely have left me wanting more from Leagues. Standout Song - Magic All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside EPI have already done a Music Monday Post on this EP, so I won’t speak too much more about it. However, I will say that I love this album as much today as I did in July. I can’t wait for the follow up to this album which will be released on January 17th! Standout Song - Brokenness Aside NEEDTOBREATHE - The ReckoningNEEDTOBREATHE’s album, “The Outsiders” was on my top albums list in 2009. It remained in frequent rotation in my car from then until September of 2011 when “The Reckoning” was released. I was worried as to whether or not they would be able to create another album that I loved as much as “The Outsiders,” but “The Reckoning” put those fears to rest. Needtobreathe has a very distinct sound that begins with Bear Rinehart’s powerful vocals. These are accompanied by a great combination of folk, country, and rock colors. I genuinely don’t know what else to say about this album. It’s amazing. This is my most difficult album to pick 1 standout track for, but if I have to:Standout Song - White Fences Katie Herzig - The Waking SleepAnother album which has already been featured in Music Monday. In that post, I said lookout for this album on my best of 2011 list. I was correct. This album has continued to be a musical inspiration to me over the last few months. Standout Song - Lost and Found  My Favorite Albums of 2011 I am generally not a fan of New Years. In my opinion, it is a lot of hype for something that is often a let down. One thing that I do look forward to around the holiday is publishing my annual favorite albums list (Check out last year’s post here). So I present to you (in order of release) my favorite albums of 2011 Augustana - AugustanaThough this album was released before any of the others on this list, it is my most recent discovery. In November, while on the road with my friend Brett Rutledge late at night, everyone in the van was putting on their favorite albums to keep us awake. Brett put on this album, and I was hooked after the first minute. This album is such a great pop rock album. The melodies are incredibly catchy. The production is great. Every time I listen to it, I can’t help but say “man, that’s a great album!” This is pop music at its best. Standout Song - Shot in the Dark Leagues - Leagues EPLet me introduce you to my new favorite band. I was excited about Leagues before I ever heard a single song. They are a super group of 4 incredibly talented musicians, including one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Thad Cockrell. His solo album “To Be Loved” is one of my favorite albums of all time. Leagues Drummer, Jeremy Lutito, has played on many albums that I love as well. Cockrell’s sense of melody and incredible voice combined with one of the best rhythm sections in music make for an amazing EP. It’s pop with some rock and old R&B as well. This EP was released to help raise funds to finish a full length album. These 3 songs definitely have left me wanting more from Leagues. Standout Song - Magic All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside EPI have already done a Music Monday Post on this EP, so I won’t speak too much more about it. However, I will say that I love this album as much today as I did in July. I can’t wait for the follow up to this album which will be released on January 17th! Standout Song - Brokenness Aside NEEDTOBREATHE - The ReckoningNEEDTOBREATHE’s album, “The Outsiders” was on my top albums list in 2009. It remained in frequent rotation in my car from then until September of 2011 when “The Reckoning” was released. I was worried as to whether or not they would be able to create another album that I loved as much as “The Outsiders,” but “The Reckoning” put those fears to rest. Needtobreathe has a very distinct sound that begins with Bear Rinehart’s powerful vocals. These are accompanied by a great combination of folk, country, and rock colors. I genuinely don’t know what else to say about this album. It’s amazing. This is my most difficult album to pick 1 standout track for, but if I have to:Standout Song - White Fences Katie Herzig - The Waking SleepAnother album which has already been featured in Music Monday. In that post, I said lookout for this album on my best of 2011 list. I was correct. This album has continued to be a musical inspiration to me over the last few months. Standout Song - Lost and Found 

    My Favorite Albums of 2011

    I am generally not a fan of New Years. In my opinion, it is a lot of hype for something that is often a let down. One thing that I do look forward to around the holiday is publishing my annual favorite albums list (Check out last year’s post here).

    So I present to you (in order of release) my favorite albums of 2011

    Augustana - Augustana
    Though this album was released before any of the others on this list, it is my most recent discovery. In November, while on the road with my friend Brett Rutledge late at night, everyone in the van was putting on their favorite albums to keep us awake. Brett put on this album, and I was hooked after the first minute.

    This album is such a great pop rock album. The melodies are incredibly catchy. The production is great. Every time I listen to it, I can’t help but say “man, that’s a great album!” This is pop music at its best.

    Standout Song - Shot in the Dark

    Leagues - Leagues EP
    Let me introduce you to my new favorite band. I was excited about Leagues before I ever heard a single song. They are a super group of 4 incredibly talented musicians, including one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Thad Cockrell. His solo album “To Be Loved” is one of my favorite albums of all time. Leagues Drummer, Jeremy Lutito, has played on many albums that I love as well.

    Cockrell’s sense of melody and incredible voice combined with one of the best rhythm sections in music make for an amazing EP. It’s pop with some rock and old R&B as well. This EP was released to help raise funds to finish a full length album. These 3 songs definitely have left me wanting more from Leagues.

    Standout Song - Magic

    All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside EP
    I have already done a Music Monday Post on this EP, so I won’t speak too much more about it. However, I will say that I love this album as much today as I did in July. I can’t wait for the follow up to this album which will be released on January 17th!

    Standout Song - Brokenness Aside

    NEEDTOBREATHE - The Reckoning
    NEEDTOBREATHE’s album, “The Outsiders” was on my top albums list in 2009. It remained in frequent rotation in my car from then until September of 2011 when “The Reckoning” was released. I was worried as to whether or not they would be able to create another album that I loved as much as “The Outsiders,” but “The Reckoning” put those fears to rest.

    Needtobreathe has a very distinct sound that begins with Bear Rinehart’s powerful vocals. These are accompanied by a great combination of folk, country, and rock colors. I genuinely don’t know what else to say about this album. It’s amazing.

    This is my most difficult album to pick 1 standout track for, but if I have to:
    Standout Song - White Fences

    Katie Herzig - The Waking Sleep
    Another album which has already been featured in Music Monday. In that post, I said lookout for this album on my best of 2011 list. I was correct. This album has continued to be a musical inspiration to me over the last few months.

    Standout Song - Lost and Found 

    All Sons and Daughters is absolutely one of my favorite bands, and I can’t wait for their new album to come in January.

    For now, the first single, “Reason to Sing,” hits iTunes tomorrow. This is the story behind that song.

    Artist Panel Discussion

    The young adult ministry of my church hosted a panel of artists talking about art and faith, and art as a vocation. I feel a little guilty for watching this instead of creating now that I’ve watched it, but it’s great inspiration.

    Hosted by our pastor Michael Easley, the panel includes Painter David Arms, Point of Grace’s Denise Jones, and VP of A&R at Centricity Music John Mays.

    I highly recommend it to anyone who does creative work or wants to.