"John the Baptist" is the first featured single from Daniel Crabtree's upcoming fifth album, "Closer Than I've Ever Been," a collection of Bluegrass songs penned by Daniel. The tune was inspired when his church's pastor said that John the Baptist was his favorite character in the Bible. The story interested Crabtree, so he researched John the Baptist and created the song based on the compelling facts I found out while studying him. ""John the Baptist"" is based on the man who spread the message and prepared the way for Jesus. Daniel Crabtree is thrilled to be putting out new music in the gospel genre, one that he loves the most.  

Daniel Crabtree released a stellar fourth album, ""The Way I See It."" Crabtree wrote all 13 tracks and has become one of the celebrated singers/songwriters in today's gospel, roots, and bluegrass music. His songs embrace the human spirit through clever lyrics, for which Daniel Crabtree's writing is known. The project is a mix of secular and spiritual songs produced by award-winning artist/songwriter/producer Donna Ulisse. The tracks were recorded and engineered by the multi-talented Scott Vestal.  

Daniel's recent accomplishments include recognition by the Independent Music Awards, which named ""Piedmont Train"" as the ""Best Bluegrass Song of 2019"" and was recently nominated by the International Acoustic Music Awards for ""Best Bluegrass Song"" (Sally Sunday).  

Recently, famous bluegrass artists Larry Sparks, Valerie Smith, and others have recorded his songs. Larry Sparks' recording of Daniel's song, ""Take Me Back to West Virginia"" appeared on Bluegrass Today, Bluegrass Unlimited, and Roots Music Charts. Recently, the gospel single recorded by Sparks' "Don't Take Your Eyes Off of Jesus" has charted on Bluegrass Today. Daniel's "He'll Change Your Life" charted on the Gospel Bluegrass Today Charts in 2021. 

His first two albums were original gospel songs. ""I recorded two full gospel projects first because I felt that was my strongest material,"" Daniel says. His next album was secular material. His fourth album, The Way I See It, is a mixture of secular and gospel songs. Donna produced all four of the albums. Daniel records at Scott Vestal'sVestal's Digital Underground Recording Studio in Greenbrier, Tennessee.  

""Most of my songs are from personal experiences,"" Daniel says, ""but some are completely made up from my imagination."" 

When a phrase comes to mind, Daniel will grab his guitar and start writing. If the guitar is not handy, he will create a voice memo on his smartphone. 

Instrumentalist and Vocals: 
Label:  Codel Records /Bell Buckle Records
Producer: Donna Ulisse
Engineer: Scott Vestal / Digital Underground / Greenbrier, TN
Lead Vocals: Daniel Crabtree 
Banjo: Scott Vestal 
Dobro: Gaven Largent 
Fiddle: Patrick McAvinue 
Guitar: Cody Kilby 
Mandolin: Harry Clark 
Upright Bass: Evan Winsor 
Harmony Vocals: Donna Ulisse, Rick Stanley, Aaron McCune \
ISRC #: QM2PK1720945

FCC Friendly