about daniel crabtree

Daniel Crabtree is an award-winning bluegrass and gospel singer-songwriter from Tennessee revered for his storytelling talent.

As a songwriter, Crabtree is always searching for the perfect singer to pair with his material. He has been privileged to have his songs recorded by famous bluegrass artists such as Larry Sparks and Valerie Smith. Sparks’ rendition of “The Scarlet Red Lines” won Gospel Recording of the Year at the 2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, while Sparks’ versions of “Don’t Take Your Eyes Off of Jesus” and “All Over Me” reached No. 1 on the Bluegrass Today chart.

Bluegrass Unlimited calls Crabtree a “gifted and divinely inspired songwriter with an engaging roughhewn vocal style.” Crabtree previously received recognition by the Independent Music Awards, which named his single “Piedmont Train” as the Best Bluegrass Song of 2019. He also earned a nomination for Best Bluegrass Song (“Sally Sunday”) at the International Acoustic Music Awards.

To date Crabtree has penned and released six albums, starting with his debut, 2016’s The Gospel Road. He has since released five additional albums, 2017’s In the Shadow of His Wings, 2019’s The Storyteller in Me, 2021’s The Way I See It and 2022’s Closer Than I’ve Ever Been, with his projects consisting of a mixture of gospel and bluegrass music. Crabtree’s sixth album, Storms on the Ocean, featuring 12 new self-written songs and an all-star bluegrass band, is being released in January 2024. He recorded the project at Scott Vestal’s Digital Underground Recording Studio.

Crabtree initially became interested in music at age 15 when winter weather left him trapped inside and bored, but his affinity for the art form would have surfaced sooner or later, regardless of the circumstances. “Daddy always had an old guitar sitting around the house that he played,” he recalls. “We had an ice storm that came through that winter and we had no electricity for about nine days. There wasn’t very much to do, so that is when I first remember taking the time to pick up that old guitar and learn how to play it.”

As a teen, Crabtree honed his picking skills by practicing square dance songs that a friend’s dad taught him. His hobby turned into a calling when he and his friends formed a bluegrass gospel group called the Lights Chapel Boys at their local church in Crabtree’s hometown in Tennessee. The band played covers of famous gospel songs for decades before Crabtree decided to take a stab at songwriting, and when he brought his first song to church, his friends — some of whom had years of experience in the music industry — responded positively. “They told me they thought it was pretty good,” he says, “so that gave me the encouragement to try to write some more.”

With an eye toward the future, Crabtree says, “As I have tried to sharpen my skills as a songwriter, I have found it to be one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. I look forward to continuing to find the inspiration to write about things in our past that need to be remembered, things in the present that are the most significant, and things that give us hope for the future.”

STORMS ON THE OCEAN
 
Daniel Crabtree's latest album release, "Storms on the Ocean," crafted by the talented songwriter and artist Daniel Crabtree, is a captivating and emotionally resonant musical journey that weaves a tapestry of stories, emotions, and human experiences. This collection of songs explores the complexities of life, from love and longing to adversity and resilience, all set against a backdrop of evocative melodies and poignant lyrics. 

"Storms on the Ocean" by Daniel Crabtree is a musical masterpiece that takes listeners on an emotional rollercoaster, inviting them to explore the complexities of the human condition. With its compelling stories, evocative melodies, and heartfelt lyrics, this album is a testament to the power of music to convey the profound and universal experiences that unite us all. Daniel Crabtree's songwriting and musical craftsmanship shine throughout the album, creating a collection of songs that will resonate with listeners and leave a lasting impact on their hearts and souls. "Storms on the Ocean" demonstrates how Daniel has evolved as a creator, recording artist, and songwriter. 

The album features talented producers, musicians, and background vocalists, including Cody Kilby, Scott Vestal, Donna Ulisse, and more. Daniel Crabtree's songwriting and musical craftsmanship will shine throughout the album, creating a collection of tracks that will leave a lasting impact on listeners everywhere. 

"Eye of the Hurricane" was the first featured single from Daniel Crabtree's next CD release, "Storms on the Ocean." It is a powerful song based on actual events. The lyrics are a moving and heartfelt tribute to the victims and survivors of Hurricane Ida. Still, it also serves as a broader reflection on the resilience and strength of those facing nature's forces head-on. This song captures the human capacity to find hope and unity amid tragedy through its evocative storytelling and poignant melody. 


STORMS ON THE OCEAN
Executive Producer: Daniel Crabtree 
Producers: Cody Kilby, Scott Vestal, Donna Ulisse 
Engineer: Scott Vestal 
Studio: Digital Underground Recording Studio 

Daniel Crabtree: Lead Vocal 
Scott Vestal: Banjo, Background Vocals
Don Rigsby: Background Vocals
Donna Ulisse: Background Vocals
Rick Stanley: Background Vocals
Cody Kilby: Guitar, Tenor Guitar
Jason Carter: Fiddle, 
Patrick McAvinue: Fiddle
Jesse Brock: Mandolin
Harry Clark: Mandolin 
Jeff Partin: Dobro
Gaven Largent: Dobro 
Mike Bub: Upright Bass
Evan Winsor: Upright Bass 
Patrick D'Arcy: Pennywhistle 

Produced by Daniel Crabtree, this featured single “Would You Be a Soldier”  shares his thoughts about faith, hope, and strength. The song is beautifully orchestrated by stellar musicians and vocalists and engineered by award-winning producer and engineer, Scott Vestal. The recording is driven by the amazing guitar work of Cody Kilby and the banjo of Scott Vestal, the driving mandolin of Jesse Brock, complemented by the sweet tones of Jason Carter on the fiddle. The bottom end is held down by the solid bass playing of Mike Bub. This track is further enhanced by the lush harmonies of vocalists, Donna Ulisse, Rick Stanley, and Aaron McCune.  

"I believe a spiritual battle is going on inside man and the world. Let the words of this song be a reminder of that fact. We need to stand up for what is right. As Christians, we should be willing to take up the armor of the Lord and fight the daily battle of right and wrong and let it be known by all that we are on the Lord's side." - Daniel Crabtree  

"Closer Than I've Ever Been" is the title cut and second single from the upcoming gospel project by Daniel Crabtree. The album's first single, "John the Baptist," is charted on Bluegrass Today.

Daniel released a stellar fourth album, The Way I See It, in 2021. Crabtree wrote all 13 tracks and has become one of the celebrated singer/songwriters in today's gospel, roots, and bluegrass music. His songs embrace the human spirit through clever lyrics, for which Daniel's writing is known. The project is a mix of secular and spiritual songs produced by award-winning artist/songwriter/producer Donna Ulisse. The tracks were recorded and engineered by the multi-talented Scott Vestal.

Daniel's recent accomplishments include recognition by the Independent Music Awards, which named "Piedmont Train" as the "Best Bluegrass Song of 2019," and a nomination by the International Acoustic Music Awards for "Best Bluegrass Song" ("Sally Sunday").

Famous bluegrass artists Larry Sparks, Valerie Smith, and others have recorded his songs. Recently, the gospel songs recorded by Sparks "Don't Take Your Eyes Off of Jesus" and "All Over Me" have charted on Bluegrass Today. Daniel's "He'll Change Your Life" charted on the Gospel Bluegrass Today Charts in 2021.

His first two albums were original gospel songs. "I recorded two full gospel projects first because I felt that was my strongest material," Daniel says. His next album was secular material, and his fourth album was a mixture of secular and gospel songs. Donna produced all four of the albums. Daniel records at Scott Vestal's Digital Underground Recording Studio in Greenbrier, Tennessee.

Available EXCLUSIVELY in Daniel Crabtree’s merchandise store in honor of Black History Month, a new single “Isaac Woodard.”

Honorably discharged Army Sergeant Isaac Woodard returned to the United States after fighting abroad in World War II, traveling via bus on February 12, 1946, to his home in Winnsboro, South Carolina. The 26-year-old Black man asked the bus driver if he could pull over at a rest stop to use the bathroom. The driver refused and subsequently ordered Woodard to disembark at the next stop in Batesburg, South Carolina, where police arrested Woodard. Woodard was blinded by police chief Lynwood Shull, who beat him in the eyes with a billy club. Shull was acquitted in November 1946 by an all-white jury tasked with determining whether he used excessive force. The incident of police brutality became a tipping point in the civil rights movement. As Woodard told supporters at an August 1946 benefit concert, “If the loss of my sight will make people in America get together to prevent what happened to me from ever happening again to any other person, I would be glad.”

“People should learn how to live with one another and how to treat one another. Because after all, we all are human beings, regardless of color.” - Isaac Woodard

"Several passages in the Bible refer to living life as running a race, with the runner winning the prize at the end. We know that the prize is eternal life, and I'm nearer now to heaven than I've ever been." - Daniel Crabtree

"John the Baptist" is the first featured single from Daniel Crabtree's upcoming fifth album, "Closer Than I’ve Ever Been," a collection of Bluegrass songs penned by Daniel. The tune was inspired when his church's pastor said that John the Baptist was his favorite character in the Bible. The story interested Crabtree, so he researched John the Baptist and created the song based on the compelling facts that Daniel found out while studying him. "John the Baptist" is based on the man who spread the message and prepared the way for Jesus. Daniel Crabtree is thrilled to be putting out new music in the gospel genre, the one that he loves the most. It will be available for streaming and downloading on November 5, 2021.