Times Daily.com
Music legacy produces a new heir
Last Modified: Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 5:21 p.m.
Pop/rock artist Stephen Craig never went to senior prom and didn't play organized team sports like most boys.
But he said his life, which is deeply rooted in a musical legacy, was completely normal.
Craig, the 25-year-old son of Marie Osmond and nephew of Donny Osmond, released his debut album "That's What You Get" in 2003 in Japan. The album was recorded in the Shoals at Noise Block Studios in Florence.
Almost six years later, Craig came back to Florence for a sophomore album, which is currently untitled, that will be released first in the United Kingdom by late spring/early summer.
Craig now resides in Los Angeles but said he keeps coming to the Shoals for one main reason.
"I really like it here, genuinely," Craig said. "You can kind of come here and get away from everything."
He said the small-town appeal is conducive to a musical atmosphere.
Craig, who also plays acoustic guitar, said the second album is unique because
he had more involvement in the production and mixing phase.
"The writing was a big thing," he said.
Gary Baker, producer and owner of Noise Block Music Group, has known Craig since he was a child and traveled with Marie Osmond as a band musician.
"I kind of became his road dad," Baker said.
He also co-wrote the songs for the album. According
to Baker, the 12-track album includes two songs, "I Don't Want to Be a Hero" and "Sex, Politics and Money," that will be hits.
"They both have single potential," Baker said.
Throughout his 20-year, Grammy Award-winning career, Baker has worked with acclaimed artists including LeAnn Rimes, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey and All-4-One.
Though they work in a
professional capacity, Baker said Craig is more than just another artist in the studio.
"This has been a lot of fun because he is like an extended family member," Baker said. "He's like a son."
Craig credits his mom for helping him establish a sense of faith. The Osmonds were reared in a Mormon household, and Craig said those principles lead him in making decisions concerning
his music career.
"I try to adhere to all the rules of my faith," Craig said.
The Osmonds reached a pinnacle in their career in the 1970s, even recording at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals.
Craig said though his family offers help, he will not allow them to hold his hand.
"It's important, I think, to be your own person," he said.
1 comment:
You know, I just came across Stephen's CD's tonight - before that I didn't know they existed but everyone who hears them is commenting very positively - Maybe you should get some copies and have them on the Osmond General Store page - I am sure we would all love them!! Seems that they are very hard to get through Amazon and such - maybe we have some very valuable talent in hiding!!
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