It’s been a whirlwind journey for Spencer Crandall.
The Nashville based artist has come a long way since we introduced you to him and his music in 2016, proving that he has the potential to be one of this generation’s next big Country stars.
In 2022, the 28-year-old kicked off his banner year with a national television debut during Super Bowl XVI for a partnership with RAM Trucks, followed by joining Lauren Alaina for her TOP OF THE WORLD Tour and earning his second SiriusXM The Highway No.1 song with “Made.” Continuing to release new music throughout the summer, Crandall gave the fans what they’ve been asking for by dropping his fourth studio album, Western, back in October.
After experiencing a modern coming-of-age journey in his earlier years, Crandall put a pen to paper and wrote 20 autobiographical tracks that he says answer three questions — where do you come from, where are you now and where are you going.
“All of my extended family — like my great grandparents — moved west; they did the actual Western journey. So from the hollers of Kentucky and the coal mines of West Virginia, they literally picked up with no plan B and just said, ‘We gotta find a better way to live life.’ They made that move and they all chased their dreams at the cost of everything. And I think that’s such a beautiful story. And although, ironically, I moved east to chase my dreams to move to Nashville, I think everybody has a version of that story,” Spencer said of the genesis of Western in an interview with Celeb Secrets reporter Juliet Schroder.
“And right now, I’m chasing this dream and doing these crazy things. And on that journey, there are things that help you and hurt you. There’s health and unhealth, and I wanted to tell my story, which I think is your story and everybody’s story in some way. I have a version in my head of the best possible life, so I ask myself, ‘How do I chase that And what are the things I have to overcome? One of the things that are gonna help me?’ So that journey to me, both literally and metaphorically, was just so inspiring.”
Broken up into six chapters, “Scorpion,” “Mustang,” “Revolver,” “Pickaxe,” “Desert” and
“Gold,” Western poses big questions and explores deeply personal themes such as addiction, therapy, the struggle for balance and a healthy sense of self.
After doubting himself in the beginning, Spencer knew that he had to let people into his story and heart to grow a stronger bond with fans both old and new.
“I didn’t know if me kind of showing my heart for real would be something that my fans would want to hear,” Spencer revealed. “But the reality is, by letting people into my story and my heart, my relationship with my fans went to such another place, and I think it’s been really transformative for me in the process of making it, in the process of putting it out and hearing more stories back.”
“I just feel so honored that I could like kind of be the bearer of this story. I think it’s going to continue to grow into this thing where people can find it and find themselves in it. And the only way they can find themselves in it is because I put my heart into it. So I’m glad I did it, even though I had some, you know, reserves at first,” he added.
And it looks like being vulnerable truly paid off for the budding singer/songwriter, as Western has already garnered over 40M streams with mega-viral hits like “Made,” “Didn’t Do” and “Girls Like You,” garnering Nashville billboard looks from both Spotify and YouTube.
Celeb Secrets sat down with Spencer (virtually) to talk all things Western, receiving a standing ovation during his Grand Ole Opry debut, and his 26-stop Western Tour, which concluded this past Saturday (December 10). The 28-year-old also teases what’s to come for 2023 while revealing some behind-the-scenes secrets about his creative process that listeners would be surprised to know.
Check out our full interview with Spencer by watching the video below and don’t forget to let us know what you think Western by leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with Spencer by giving him a follow on Instagram and TikTok at @spencercrandall.
LISTEN TO “WESTERN” NOW:
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