Born and raised just outside of Dallas, TX, it didn't take long for Dustin to develop a strong love for country music. He started performing for audiences at 6 years old. "All I ever wanted to do was sing. Any time I could get up in front of my church family and sing, I would do it."
Dustin wasn't the first in his family to discover musical talents; he gives credit to his mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa as being his biggest influences. His grandparents led the music ministry at the church where he grew up, while his mom traveled with a southern gospel group singing for over 20 years. His dad fit right in with his incredible ear for music; he has played the B3 Hammond organ, keyboard, and bass guitar as well. Dustin jokes, "...I didn't have a choice but to play music. I'd be the black sheep if I didn't learn [music] in a family like mine."
Dustin's brother and lead guitarist, Jonathan Crocker, discovered he had a God-given musical talent as well. He got his first drumset at 9 and had it mastered by middle school. He picked up a guitar at 14 and hasn't put it down since. He plays on a Fender Telecaster and has truly developed a sound of his own. "Jonathan is my band. His ear is out of this world. I've never heard another player like him, " Dustin boasts about his brother.
Dustin and Jonathan began writing songs together in high school, and Dustin has gone on to write over 50 songs to this day. Dustin says he feels very grateful to have a collaboration partner with an ear like his brother's. In the summer of 2005, Dustin and Jonathan independently released their first album: "Dustin Crocker; Singer/Songwriter". Dustin claims the project started out just as a demo; he wanted to put some of his songs down to show Texas what he does. However, the process went so smoothly, he didn't want to stop with just 3 or 4 songs. Eventually he ended up with an 11-track album of great songs, which he immediately had published for his friends and fans. Dustin would like to go back into the studio possibly this winter to begin working on his next project.
Throughout college, Dustin went through an assortment of bass guitarists and drummers to complete the 4-piece sound he was looking for. As a new addition to the band, Dustin has picked up John Lewis, from Waxahachie, on drums. John attended Baylor University and played on the drumline before coming back to Waxahachie and joining up with his new band. John has a very distinct jazz style, which makes the rhythm and backbone of the music very solid and easy to dance to. "John never misses a beat."
On bass, Dustin is choosing to stick with what works. Cornel Crocker, Dustin's dad, is providing the smooth bass runs for the band. As previously mentioned, its Cornel's ear for music that makes him very easy to work with. "My dad comes from the old school. He grew up on Ray Price and Hank Snow and those guys, and he still loves to introduce us youngsters to it every once in awhile. He claims he's 'culturizing' us, but as much as he hates to admit it, he loves our sound. My dad's experience and expertise is almost irreplaceable."
Dustin is excited about what is to come. He feels like everything is falling into place just like it should. "For the first time, I feel like things are going my way, and its a great feeling. I love what I do." Look for Dustin Crocker to be making big waves across Texas in the very near future. Support Texas music!
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