A new one from the forthcoming record. Charley Crockett is indeed the man who does not stop. In 2024, Crockett blessed us with not one but two records: his Grammy-nominated $10 Cowboy and the second chapter of that record, Visions of Dallas. Crockett will release his impressive 16th album this year, assuming we include his Live From the Ryman album. His next project, Lonesome Drifter, was announced at the start of 2025. It will be out everywhere on March 14th. The album will include 12 songs recorded at the legendary Sunset Sounds Studio in Los Angeles, California. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charley Crockett (@charleycrockett) Since announcing the record, Crockett has released the title track, which has been coming for a long time. The idea for “Lonesome Drifter” came to Crockett from his days hopping subway cars while busking in New York City. “I started writing the song back when I was still playing in subways in New York. It’s how I learned to play electric guitar with an amp on my shoulder. While I was waiting for the next train, I wrote songs. A few years later, I was in California working on the ganja farms, and I came up with the ‘Lonesome Drifter’ section. When I arrived on the West Coast, I worked to stay out there as a drifter, so I could get away with playing music for a living. At night, I was doing heavy electric blues and hillbilly shit at local bars for six hours. Shooter got me back into that mindset. The burden of becoming a troubadour is you’re standing in a position that gives you a clear perspective of the struggles of humans. When all is said and done, everyone is just swinging a hammer to survive.” “Lonesome Drifter” was a strong preview for what’s in store for this record, and today, Crockett released the second single off the upcoming album, “Game I Can’t Win.” Again drawing inspiration from his experience in New York City, Crockett was inspired to write this song after one of his first managers was not happy that he was pushing back on the sound they wanted from him. “I’ve been swinging a hammer on the scenic route for a long time now,” says Crockett. “I think that’s something most folks can relate to. I’ve been invited up to see the view from the top of the ivory towers, more than a few times in recent years. The thing is, you get up there, the view can be intoxicating. But then you get to talking with the folks who reside up there, and you realize pretty quick that they’re not even sure why they invited you up in the first place. ‘You ever been to New York City before, Charley?’ Yeah, hoss. A few times, actually. Seen it in ways you’ll never comprehend. For me, no matter how good the view is, it doesn’t change the need to keep on swinging this hammer. The work don’t stop. Not for me, not for anyone really. Like the song says, I’m playing this game for keeps.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charley Crockett (@charleycrockett) Crockett is giving that first record deal the middle finger, noting that he gambled on himself and made it happen. Despite management wanting him to conform to their sound or the image they curated for him, Crockett knew that was not a game for him. “I’m gonna rob that Mesa Verde bank Think I’ll take it just as fast as I can That old-time feeling just up and walked away Left me with these interest rates Them boys in Nashville, they don’t mess around Better watch ‘em when your deal goes down Gotta play along, let ‘em lead you by the hand And they love it when you don’t understand…” Although this song inspired him many years ago, it feels like a perfect piggyback off his previously released single “Hey Mr. Nashville,” as he calls out the big machine. If Crockett has proved one thing throughout his career, it’s that against the odds, he’s winning at the music game. And he will keep winning. “Game I Can’t Win” is another huge win for Charley Crockett. The post Charley Crockett Gambles On Himself With New Single “Game I Can’t Win” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.