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![[embedded content] Charley Crockett leans into his R&B influences on "I'm Just A Clown," the first single from his newly announced album _The Man From Waco_. That album marks Crockett's first time recording in the studio with his live band, The Blue Drifters — and on a casual listen, you might assume this music came from Memphis or Muscle Shoals in the early '70s. Punchy horns help drive the chorus of "I'm Just A Clown" as Crockett sings the story of a sad clown, a timeless metaphor that Crockett's laidback and convincing drawl gives new life. Reminiscent of early crossover artists like Charlie Rich and Ray Charles, "I'm Just A Clown" feels like a step forward for the prolific Crockett, and one that might help him cross over to a larger audience. Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2b417b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/138x46+0+0/resize/880x293!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.npr.org%2Fimages%2Fstations%2Flogos%2Fnpr.gif)
[embedded content] Charley Crockett leans into his R&B influences on "I'm Just A Clown," the first single from his newly announced album _The Man From Waco_. That album
marks Crockett's first time recording in the studio with his live band, The Blue Drifters — and on a casual listen, you might assume this music came from Memphis or Muscle Shoals in the
early '70s. Punchy horns help drive the chorus of "I'm Just A Clown" as Crockett sings the story of a sad clown, a timeless metaphor that Crockett's laidback and
convincing drawl gives new life. Reminiscent of early crossover artists like Charlie Rich and Ray Charles, "I'm Just A Clown" feels like a step forward for the prolific
Crockett, and one that might help him cross over to a larger audience. Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.