Rocking Through the Decades: Craig Sailer on Music, Passion, and Perseverance

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to the Living the Dream Podcast with Curveball. If you believe, you can achieve. Welcome to the Living the Dream with Curveball Podcast. A show where I and a few guests that teach, motivate, and inspire. Today I am joined by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Craig Saylor. Craig has spent years in the music industry. He's been part of the music industry since 1980, since the early 1980s, and he's been refining his sound and collaborating with talented musicians. Craig's music is based on real life. He is also the head of the Craig Sailor podcast. And this is with a group of musicians that are known for their professionalism and they're known for their energy at a live show. So we're going to be talking to Craig about his career and the Craig Sager product, Craig Sailor product, and everything that he's up to and gonna be up to. So Craig, thank you for joining me.

SPEAKER_01 1:22

Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.

SPEAKER_00 1:24

Why don't you start off by telling everybody a little bit about yourself?

SPEAKER_01 1:28

So I'm uh I'm a musician, songwriter, producer out of New Jersey, and I've been doing this for a very, very long time. I actually started um participating in the church choir back when I was uh in my early days. Uh I started around five years old, and that first time that I had an audience uh clap for me hooked me into the music industry. I was like, oh my goodness, this is gonna be fantastic. I could do this the rest of my life. So I have been uh you know working on and off in the industry for many, many years, and uh I really enjoy creating music and working with musicians uh of all different levels to uh allow me to create my sound and to hone in on what the Craig Sailor project has become today.

SPEAKER_00 2:24

Well, I know that your songs are based on real life. So is there one song in your catalog that tells a personal story? Uh tell us about that song and what were you feeling when you wrote it?

SPEAKER_01 2:35

So there's a few. There's one uh that I wrote called In the End. And uh when I was in school and I had a mentor that uh I worked closely with, um, was not really interested in my music career, but more about my education and work ethic and getting me out into the work uh field. And he would always ask me, Craig, what is it that you want in the end? And I wrote the song because, you know, after he had passed, I was considering what he had said over the years, and it really hit me hard because, you know, as I was growing up, I didn't have concerns about what would go on after school and what my uh later years would all entail. And he would always say, Craig, what is it that you want in the end? And my answer to him was, I want to be happy and successful. And working through these years after his passing has really inspired me to do what I'm doing now. I am actually I work in the construction industry, uh, but music has always been my passion. And he knew that I loved music a lot, but he was not um allowing me to actually explore that because he wanted it to be more of a hobby than a career. And after I started going into the work industry and all of that, I always had music as my fallback, my hobby. And through uh my creativeness and his inspirations throughout the years, it has given me an overwhelming uh prosperity in uh creativity and the way I produce my music and the way I put things out. I want people to feel what I feel. So as my music comes out, I try to give the feeling uh that I feel inside and project that in my songs and in my writing so that there's a storytelling for each of the songs that uh I do produce. And I just, you know, I just feel that it gives people inspiration as well because if they can feel the way I feel through my music, they'll understand what the song is about. So, in the end, is one of my uh favorites. I mean, I have a lot of songs that I really like, but that was one of my main inspirations.

SPEAKER_00 5:08

Well, I know that your music blends old school rock and roll, classic rock, and blues. Yes. So, how do you honor those legendary influences while keeping your sound unique to Craig Saylor?

SPEAKER_01 5:26

Well, what I try to do is so I don't I never wanted to be pigeonholed in one genre, like either rock or country or blues or all of that. So each of my songs has a little bit of influence of all of those, but more uh or less each of the songs has this distinctive sound. So if I have a song that sounds like southern rock, I push it towards some southern rock, and I write songs that are heavy rock. I also saw write songs that are heavy blues, uh, love ballots, and I love old school rock and roll from the 60s, the 70s, and things like that. And I try to recreate some of that stuff in my music so that I am not pigeonholed into one area, and it's a lot of fun because trying to create music in those uh eras is a lot of fun because you have to go back and you have to listen and you have to understand what the times were, what they were going through, and what their influences were at that time. And it's funny because here, 30, 40 years later, I can pull those feelings back into the 2026 sound. And it's exciting because a lot of people like, great, you you just wrote that now? It sounds like something from the 60s or the 70s, and that is the uh kind of feeling I want to get. I don't want to just be a uh one note Charlie. I'd like to play in different genres and in different fields so that this way it keeps me and my music uh always diverse. I mean, write some gospel.

SPEAKER_00 7:11

Well, I know that uh music in has uh has undergone some drastic changes in the last four decades. So what has kept you passionate and relevant throughout all these changes?

SPEAKER_01 7:27

Well, I think what has kept me going and keeping me my interest and my creativity is that uh I have seen things change over the decades and all these different influences and all of the changes in the industry and all of that, and I try to keep it uh as they say, kiss, keep it simple, stupid, so that this way it's always relatable to whoever is listening to the music. I'm never too complicated. I try to keep stuff simple with a great hook and a great melody, and as long as I keep to that form, it doesn't matter what year I write in, I can always keep those influences going that way. And now with AI, it allows more creativity in areas where uh things will start to develop a little bit uh tighter and the production is going to be a little bit cleaner. Um, but I try not to use uh AI too much in my creativity because again, I'm still old school. I have you know some analog recording equipment and I have digital recording equipment, and I try my darndest not to use any AI unless it's uh absolutely necessary because I like the sound of the old style of recording where it's you it is what you record, and what you get there is original and raw. So, you know, with the AI and the way things are coming out, everything is perfect in every instrument, every vocal, every kick drum, every snare, everything is perfect. And I like the feel of not being perfect because it gives the human feeling in the songs.

SPEAKER_00 9:31

Absolutely. Well, let's talk about the Craig Saylor project. Um, the project is known for you guys' chemistry on stage, so kind of tell us about that project and tell us about what what's the secret to building a a band that plays with the same purpose and energy.

SPEAKER_01 9:51

So it it's it so it takes a hard look at what is needed out in the live uh venues, but also you have to it's very hard to put a band together that has good chemistry, that has no egos, that has drive and high energy all the time. And that's what I try to put together in the Craig Saylor project. So I have throughout the years, I've had many members uh change out, either, you know, they have had um uh they've moved or they've gotten new jobs and things like that. So uh in my bio, uh the the uh lineup may change, but the feel is always the same and the rock and roll is always the same. And we, you know, I try to push a high-energy rock and roll band that will um have everybody dancing and singing, and and that's what I try to create is that feel of a high energy, fun time. And that's what I do at each of our shows. So, you know, if we're playing at a 30-minute benefit or a three-hour full show, everything from the time we hit the stage until we get off that stage, it's all high energy, great musicianship. We have a lot of fun, and that's the main thing is that you can see in our live shows that we are always having fun. And that's the the thing I tell to the guys all the time. When it does not become fun, that's when it's over. And they all agree, and we laugh and we joke, and when we hit that stage, we are all on fire and ready to go.

SPEAKER_00 11:37

Well, I know that every musician experiences doubt or disappointment. So, was there ever a point where you felt like walking away from the music? And if so, what kept you going?

SPEAKER_01 11:49

Oh, I always feel that because you know, you you it, you know, doing this so long, it's like sometimes it's just like, well, you know, it's I've been doing this so long, it's just not worth it. I mean, there's so much you have to put into it, and there's so much time involved, and and a lot of times you don't get the rewards that you are expecting. You know, you always put yourself at a um a higher plateau, and you always want things to happen all the time, and you want things to be right all the time, and it doesn't happen. And there has been times when I would just wanted to say, you know what, I had enough, I don't want to deal with this anymore, it's just too much, you know, because you have to deal with the venues, you have to deal with the owners, you have to deal with the management and all of that. And you know, a lot of these uh uh venues and managers and all these other people, they don't understand what it takes to be a musician and how much time and dedication goes into producing these live shows and this music. And sometimes it's just like, you know what? I am tired, I can't do this anymore. And then, you know, uh I'll wake up the next day and say, you know, I don't know what I was thinking. I'd love this, I'm never gonna give it up. I want to do uh what I want to do. So sometimes, you know, that inspires me to write other songs because you feel those ways, and those are the most heartfelt songs, those songs when you're at your lowest point and when you're at your highest point. And then those uh the some of the best songs come in five minutes. I mean, I have music in my uh in my uh uh recording studio now that you know some of them are are years old, and you just start it and then you just can't finish it because you just don't have the right melody or you just don't have the right lyrics for it. And sometimes they sit for years and sometimes they come out in five minutes. But I'm always working on new things, and when you know it comes to the point where, you know, you you see yourself, you know, I'm putting in all this time. Is it worth it? And a lot of times, you know, you'll you'll sit there, you'll look and say, you know, it's just too much. And then when you think about it, it's like, you know, but you've been doing it so long and you love what you do, so just keep going and push forward and produce what you can, the best you can, and and let the people deal with it.

SPEAKER_00 14:23

Well, when someone comes to see a Craig Saylor project show for the first time, what experience do you hope they walk away talking about?

SPEAKER_01 14:33

Oh, that we were a great fun, high-energy band with all seasoned musicians because everybody I play with is are great musicians in their own right. And I am uh a singer songwriter. It's my band. I do the lead vocals on it, but but I can't do what I do without my backing band. So every guy that comes to me and wants to play with me, I have I tell them, look, you need to put in your 100% for yourself, not only for the band, but for yourself, because I record all the shows and I let them see their show. And a lot of times, you know, even so when we are out there playing, I usually have a wireless microphone. So if I can get out into the audience, I will take the microphone out in the audience. And when I see people singing our songs, or even if we're playing some cover songs, I go out and I interact with the crowd. And that is one of the things that they love the most, is that I am not uh a superstar. I am one of them. I come out there, I interact. If someone's is singing the song that I see they're singing the song, I don't have a problem handing them the microphone and telling them to go up on the stage and sing with the band. And a lot of times, you know, their friends will be there and everybody will be hooting and hollering, and they'll come to me after the show and they'll say, Oh my god, Craig, that was so much fun. Thank you so much for having us here and having us uh participate with your band. I mean, it's always a whole lot of fun.

SPEAKER_00 16:09

Well, if you could sit down with any one of your musical heroes, tell us who that would be and what questions you would ask them and what you think they would teach you.

SPEAKER_01 16:19

Oh my god. I mean, it my musical heroes span decades. Everybody from Elvis to Stevie Wonder to Stevie Ray Vaughn to Bad Company from Paul Rogers from Bad Company, the Who. I mean, if I could sit down with a crowd of my heroes, I would ask them what allows you to continue to produce the music that you do without getting bored and without getting discouraged. Because a lot of this, you know, in the industry, it's very discouraging, especially when you are trying to become um a part of a label or management or something like that. Uh, because, you know, a lot of times, especially as you get a little bit older, uh, there's not that many opportunities that that much anymore. And, you know, I've given up being a rock star years ago. I just want to produce music for myself and and uh for the for the people. So my question to to my my heroes again would be you know, what keeps you from not giving up and not being discouraged with all of the changes in the industry? And as you age, what is it that inspires you to keep going? And those are the questions that I would like to have answered.

SPEAKER_00 19:04

Well, let's fast forward 20 years. If there's someone out there who discovered your music for the first time 20 years later, what do you hope they take away from Craig Saylor and the legacy that you're going to be leaving?

SPEAKER_01 19:22

That his music is very heartfelt and has meaning. And that it is timeless. I mean, you listen to some of the music that, you know, even going back to you know the 40s and the 50s, some of that music is timeless, and that's what I would like to write. Things that people can listen to 20 years from now and say, wow, that's relevant today. This sounds great today. And those are the things that that I would like to leave as a legacy.

SPEAKER_00 19:52

Tell us about any upcoming projects or current projects that you're working on that listeners need to be aware of.

SPEAKER_01 19:59

Um, yes, so I have I've been in the studio now for the last uh two months. I have a new uh CD coming out, uh, which we'll be streaming as well. And it is uh gonna be a collection of what I have written over the last two years. Um there's gonna be some blues in there, there's gonna be some hard rock in there, there's gonna be some country music in there, and there's gonna be some pop music. So uh again, I'm trying to keep my um interests in all the different areas and to keep the uh the music flowing to what to how I feel and the stories that I'm telling throughout the last couple of years. Um, I do have a new song coming out, which I will send to you um if you don't mind, uh coming up for September 11th. I wrote a song back in uh 2001 right after um 9-11 happened. And you know, as you know, this year is the 25th anniversary. Um, and this song was very popular uh back in in 2001 after I wrote it. And over the years, I have it started out as an acoustic song, and now I have brought it into the full studio with full band, uh, full musicians in it. And uh I it's very touching. Uh, it's called Now You're Gone, and it's going to be released on September 10th, just before the 25th anniversary. But this is what this song means a lot to me because after I saw what happened in New York, the day of it, I just sat down and wrote this song. And I mean, I was in tears writing about this song because this was something that we would have never thought would happen in the United States. And uh, you know, as I was saying before, this is one of those songs that is relevant now, 25 years later, that happened 25 years ago. And now, you know, every time, uh, every year we have an acoustic video that we did at one of our live shows that I post on my Facebook page uh on September 11th. And every year I put it up, it always gets a great response. So I wanted to go back into the studio and have a full band behind me uh cleaning up this song to where it can be produced and ready to go for the 25th anniversary. So keep an eye out for it. And then, like I said, if you don't mind, I would love to send it over to you for you to listen to.

SPEAKER_00 22:30

Yeah, definitely send it to me and throw out your contact info so people can keep up with everything that you're up to.

SPEAKER_01 22:37

Absolutely. And I do have some videos coming out um in October and November. So one of the things that I really haven't honed in on was doing music uh videos for my songs because I've just been so busy and it's it takes a lot of time to do those. So now, you know, with AI and with uh video production out there, and it now allows me to create the videos that I would really like to have for these songs that are coming out. And uh, I do have a lot of videos that are live from us at the shows, but um, you know, for me to get out there and really start to hone in on. On the video side, uh, I'm going to uh work closely with uh my my creators and my uh content creators to create some of these videos using live footage as well as some AI uh imaging as well. It's gonna be very exciting. I'm I'm actually very excited about that. You know, a lot of the musicians are uh going full bore on AI. I have friends of mine that are musicians that are doing full production through AI. And again, I'm old school. I like to sit down with my guitar and my recording equipment with the band and start to record uh raw material like that. And a lot of my friends are like, Craig, you don't need to do all that. All you do is plug in the chords, put it some, put your lyrics in there, and let the AI do it. I'm and I'm like, you know, you know, to me that's kind of cheating, you know, because you're really not doing the work. You're allowing the computer to do the work. But at the same time, that is the industry that's coming. And I saw an interview with an executive producer for one of the large uh radio, uh, I mean, excuse me, for the recording uh companies, and he was saying that you know, everybody now is using AI, whether it's to just uh tweak the vocals or uh clean up the mistakes in some of the leads or whatever it is, they are all using it. And I was surprised to hear that because uh, you know, some of these musicians that are out there that are big time that are you know in the spotlight, uh a lot of them are not doing the creative uh side of this as much as I thought they were, which is okay. I mean, that's you know, the industry is to make money. So um, you know, that's that's the recording industry's job is to put the best material out there. But for me, I still like that old school uh band production and acoustic uh recording in in the analog studio and a digital studio.

SPEAKER_00 25:26

We'll close us out with some final thoughts, maybe if that was something I forgot to talk about that you forgot to touch on any final thoughts you have for the listeners.

SPEAKER_01 25:36

If you are uh a musician, just keep pushing on. Don't ever give up. You even if you feel discouraged, even if you feel like no one's paying attention, remember it's not about anyone else but yourself. As long as you yourself enjoy what you do, keep producing, keep writing, keep recording as much as you can, because this is your legacy. To leave the the music behind is leaving a catalog of your mind, your thoughts, your feelings, you even your history. And that is one of the things that I have come uh to realize that if I enjoy it, if I love to do what I do, then it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. And what'll happen is you you know, you'll put it out there and people will start to say, you know, I really like that. And for the people that are out there listening, keep listening, keep letting people, the musicians, know that you appreciate what they're doing, and uh can continue to cheer them on and continue to go out and see them live and continue to do uh whatever it takes to make sure that live music and the industry keeps pushing to allow younger musicians and new music and new creativity to continue and grow throughout the next hundred years.

SPEAKER_00 27:10

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 27:11

And also and of course, of course, always thank your DJs and your cre uh your content creators and everybody that allows the musicians like myself to get on platforms like this to be able to uh express ourselves, make sure that you take care of them, that you like and you you subscribe, and you make sure that you take care of them as well. Because without people like yourself, Curtis, we could not do what we do. And I appreciate you and I appreciate what you do for musicians like myself. And thank you so much for having me here.

SPEAKER_00 27:47

Well, thank you, and thank you for all that you've been doing for the past four decades. So, ladies and gentlemen, please be sure to check out the Craig Sailor Project. Check out everything that Craig's up to and gonna be up to. Be on the lookout for that 9-11 tribute song. I'm sure it's gonna be a good one. I can't wait to listen to it. Also, to keep up with all things living the dream, please visit www.curveball337.com and please share the website and the show to everybody you know. Thank you for listening and supporting the show. And Craig, thank you for all that you do. And thank you for joining me.

SPEAKER_01 28:27

Thank you, Curtis.

SPEAKER_00 28:29

For more information on the Living the Dream with Curveball Podcast, visit www.curveball337.com. Until next time, keep living the dream.