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(Nashville, Tennessee…) – September 25, 2026 – Country star Craig Campbell is heading into fall releasing one of the most emotional songs of the 90s era, “Leaving October.” Originally written by Sons of the Desert lead singer Drew Womack and award-winning tunesmith Tom Douglas for the band’s 1997 debut Epic Records album Whatever Comes First, the song painfully recounts the memory of losing someone deeply loved.
“I’ve been singing this song live for almost 20 years and always thought that I’d one day record a version of it,” said Craig. “Without knowing the backstory of the song, I knew positively this had to be a true story. It’s the perfect song to kick off the new album.”
Produced by Craig with Bart Busch for Grindstone Recordings via Vydia, the song is the first release from his upcoming Class of 89 Deluxe Album. “Until becoming an independent artist, I was never allowed to play piano on my own records,” he added. “I’m so proud to say I played the piano on this song, sang the low harmony, and produced it.”
Save/Add the single HERE.
Craig originally released his passionate Class of ’89 in April of 2024. The six songs represented the core influences who helped mold his desire to pursue a career as an artist and songwriter. Included on the album were his versions of Clint Black’s “Killin’ Time,” Mark Chesnutt’s “Too Cold At Home,” Restless Heart’s “Bluest Eyes In Texas,” “On The Other Hand” by Randy Travis, John Michael Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight,” and a moving piano/vocal rendition of Travis Tritt’s “Anymore.”
Craig can currently be seen as one of the drivers on The CW Network’s new show “The Great American Road Rally – Celebrity Edition.” He is joined by the likes of John Schneider, Eric Estrada, John O’Hurley, Miss USA Audrey Eckert, Kevin Lawson, Erin Murphy, Charlene Tilton, NASCAR driver Jesse Love, host Ian Ziering, and more, as they travel the famed Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. The show airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
For updates on tour dates and other news about Craig, visit:
https://www.craigcampbell.tv/
https://www.youtube.com/user/craigcampbelltv
https://x.com/craigcampbelltv
https://www.facebook.com/CraigCampbelltv/
https://www.instagram.com/craigcampbelltv
https://www.tiktok.com/@craigcampbellmusic
About Craig Campbell:
In a world fueled by the smoke and mirrors act of overnight success, Campbell has long been admired for his patience and persistence on the road less traveled. A consistent balancing act of traditional values and modern industry trends, Campbell is also considered by many to be one of the most talented yet under the radar stars, across all genres. The Lyons, Georgia native grew up playing his mother’s piano and singing in church, took a job as a corrections officer in his hometown after high school, and moved to Nashville to pursue his music dreams in 2002.
He spent the next several years paying his dues as a demo singer by day and Lower Broadway gigger by night. He connected with fellow South Georgia native Luke Bryan and started touring as his keyboard player. A year and a half long keyboard stint with Tracy Byrd soon followed, and he took over as bandleader down at The Stage on Tuesday nights on his non-touring days. His smooth chops and hot-blooded stage presence caught the eye of industry execs and in 2009, Campbell signed his first record deal.
His debut single, “Family Man,” hit the Billboard top 15 in 2011. “Outta My Head” cracked the Top 15, and catchy tune “Fish” garnered more than 10 million on-demand streams. His 2014 breakout hit “Keep Them Kisses Comin’” was on its way up the charts when Campbell got the unexpected news that his label had closed. He and his devoted team continued to press radio stations around the country, so much so that the single ended an impressive run well inside the Top 10, which is unheard of for a song with no financial backing.
A deal with Red Bow Records, a division of the Broken Bow umbrella, yielded the top 40 “Tomorrow Tonight” followed in 2018 by his most poignant and well-known work to date, “Outskirts of Heaven.”
He launched Grindstone Recordings in 2020 and has been busy recording and releasing his own music as well as signing other artists to his label. In the last two years he released The Lost Files: Exhibit A & B, Class of ’89 and Almost Greatest Hits albums.
Craig and his wife Mindy accomplished a longtime dream of opening Grindstone Cowboy in their hometown of Eagleville, Tennessee in 2022. The coffee shop, restaurant and music venue has become a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike and was featured on Tennessee Crossroads. A second location opened in a revitalized 12,000-square-foot building in downtown Shelbyville, Tennessee on November 8, 2025.
Craig formed the Kenny Campbell Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Craig to honor his father who lost his battle with Colorectal Cancer at age 36. He has raised over one million dollars for various colorectal and colon cancer organizations.
His 12th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge over $35,000 was raised for The Kenny Campbell Foundation in June. The figure represents the most money raised to support colorectal cancer research and awareness with the highest number of celebrities participating.
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