Craig Wayne Boyd Speaks Out After Being Forced To Exit Texas Hill: ‘I Was Voted Out of the Band I Started’
Members of Texas Hill have allegedly “voted” founding member Craig Wayne Boyd out of the group and added three new…
Texas Hill; Photo by Jeff Fasano
Members of Texas Hill have allegedly “voted” founding member Craig Wayne Boyd out of the group and added three new members.
According to recent social media posts, the group is now a five-piece band made up of Casey James, Adam Wakefield, and the group’s newest additions, Bart Walker, Louis Winfield, and Clark Singleton.
The remaining members of Texas Hill, Casey James and Adam Wakefield, took to social media on Tuesday (Jan. 24) to share the news with fans via a statement that began, “2023 marks a new chapter for Texas Hill.”
James and Wakefield then introduced fans to their new bandmates on Texas Hill’s Facebook account and went on to tease their forthcoming new album.
“Please join us in welcoming three new members to the band — Bart Walker, Louis Winfield, and Clark Singleton,” James and Wakefield wrote. ”These musicians are incredible and we’re honored to have them join us from here on out. We’re going into the studio next month to start recording the new record, and are gonna be on the road all year long. We can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve been cooking up, and hope you come see us when we’re in your neck of the woods.”
James and Wakefield also announced that Boyd will “no longer” be a part of the group or any of their new projects moving forward.
“We’re incredibly grateful for his contribution to the band over the past few years,” James and Wakefield added. ”We’ve made some great music together, and wish him all the best in his new endeavors. Peace and love, Casey and Adam. ✌️”
Fans immediately took to the comments of Texas Hill’s post revealing Boyd’s exit to share their frustration while others showcased their support of the group’s decision.
“It’s not going to be the same sound without his lead harmonies…” one angry fan wrote, while other fans added, “So you kicked out the person who brought this together” and “So you gave Craig the boot? He started your band, didn’t he? Won’t be the same.”
“I will continue to support ALL three of my Boys and wish nothing but the best for ALL of them!” a supportive fan said, before another chimed in and shared, “All three are great guys. Best wishes to all!”
Following the announcement of Boyd’s departure, he took to his own social media to reveal a headlining solo performance. In the comments of his solo concert announcement, Boyd answered a fan who questioned, “are you not in Texas Hill any longer?”
“No, I was voted out of the band I started,” Boyd revealed before continuing to share his excitement to pursue a solo career. ”I am excited to get back to getting out and entertaining folks with good Country music!” he added.
Craig Wayne Boyd (Season 7 Winner of The Voice), Casey James (Third place finisher on Season 9 of American Idol) and Adam Wakefield (Season 10 Runner-up on The Voice) were friends for several years after meeting at a Nashville event and later formed Texas Hill in 2020.
“I was sitting in the garage talking with my wife and trying to figure out what I wanted to do musically,” Boyd previously told Music Mayhem. “The thought occurred to me to go back to my roots, which was singing vocal group stuff. Casey and I had met up a couple of months previously and sat down and chatted, played music for our families. Our wives went to elementary school and middle school together, which was crazy. We didn’t already know each other like that. Adam and I had been out on the road together playing music. I told both of them, ‘Hey, I got this guy, he’s in.’ Finally, got them together and we sat down and played music. The first time we did, it was like, there it is! This is actually going to work.”
The group’s takes it namesake from the street Wakefield grew up on in Plymouth, New Hampshire called Texas Hill Road, but the overall idea of the trio came from Boyd.
The trio went on to release a self-titled 5-track EP in September of 2020, their debut album, Heaven Down Here, in January of 2022, as well as two Christmas EPs in 2021 and 2022.
Texas Hill are preparing to embark on their first tour as a five-piece band, which kicks off March 5 in Nashville, Tennessee at The Ryman Auditorium with Home Free and continues through April 29, where the trek will wrap up in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Bell’s Brewery.
Meanwhile, Craig Wayne Boyd will soon revisit his solo career with new music and a recently announced headlining show at Capri Theatre in Shelbyville, Tennessee, on February 9.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
You may also like
Country Next
Playlist
On Repeat
Get the latest country music news delivered straight to your inbox.
