Craig Hunlen

Biography of Craig

Craig's musical journey spans a rich and diverse tapestry, rooted deeply in Gospel, Blues, R&B, Hip Hop, with occasional ventures into Country and Heavy Metal. His multifaceted musical talents are further enhanced by his proficiency on the trombone, piano, and drums. The harmony he creates blends these genres seamlessly, offering listeners a soulful, dynamic, and genre-defying experience.

Early Beginnings: A Natural Gift

Craig’s love for music ignited at the tender age of seven when he began learning the piano under the guidance of the church pianist at his home church. By the time he was nine, his musical curiosity led him to pick up the trap set at church, and soon after, he was playing drums during worship services. At the age of 12, Craig joined the school marching band and learned the trombone, a skill that would later influence his piano playing. His early years were spent blending these instruments, drawing connections between scales, rhythms, and melodies.

At 13, Craig's mother enrolled him in formal piano lessons, where he met the late Reverend Vernon Williams Jr. (back-up singer for Byron Cage), who immediately recognized Craig’s exceptional ear for music. Under Vernon’s mentorship, Craig learned to master complex riffs and runs, further enhancing his musical vocabulary.

High School Years: Expanding Horizons

As Craig entered high school, his musical talents flourished even more. He continued playing the trombone and joined the school’s Jazz Band, where he was introduced to legends like Ray Charles, the Isley Brothers, and Sam Cooke. During this time, his band director encouraged him to experiment with marching snare drums, broadening his rhythmic capabilities.

Craig’s creativity also sparked a memorable collaboration with his best friend during his senior year. They crafted a drum solo using unconventional instruments—trash cans, cowbells, xylophones, and tambourines—which they performed alongside three other talented friends. Their performance, with the engineering support of their band director, earned them first place in a regional Band Showdown for two consecutive years.

At 17, Craig joined a boys' quartet group, where he served as the captain. His role involved teaching singers their vocal parts, which came easily to him given his piano skills. During this period, Craig began exploring the works of classical composers like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin, further expanding his musical palette.

A Dual Musical Life: Churches and Teaching

By the time Craig graduated high school, his musical influence was felt in two local churches—Anderson Gift Baptist Church and Long Street Baptist Church. At Anderson Gift, he played piano for the youth choir and drums for the adult choir. At Long Street, Craig initially served as the drummer, but a year later transitioned to playing the piano.

After high school, Craig further honed his musical skills as the Assistant Band Director at Hawkinsville, Georgia, working with Marla Garnto. After a year, he shifted his focus to the piano and began teaching parts to others. During this time, he traveled with a choir and had the opportunity to see a Mass Choir perform live—a performance that ignited his passion for playing stacked keyboards at the age of 19.

At 20, Craig recorded nine tracks in just five hours at Reverend Horace Wright’s personal home studio, marking a milestone in his career. He not only played keyboards and drums but also contributed strings, horns, bass, electric piano, and organ, showcasing his extensive musical range and creativity.

A Lifelong Commitment to Music and Faith

Craig’s musical journey has taken him to many venues, from performing with local quartet groups to playing keyboard and drums for churches in need. He’s also shared his talents at the Opera House in Hawkinsville, Georgia. At just 14, he was named the Lead Musician for a local Children’s Mass Choir, which spanned five counties in Georgia. This role exposed him to a wide array of musical styles and gave him the opportunity to travel, performing at weddings, funerals, talent shows, and with soloists on and off stage.

Since 2004, Craig has played for numerous churches across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Great Commission Deliverance Ministries in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Greater Campher in Hagerstown, Maryland, Kingdom Purpose in Berryville, West Virginia, and New Bethel Church of God in Christ in Washington, D.C. His musical expertise has brought him to lead praise and worship, teach vocal parts, and accompany choirs in various settings.

A Unique Sound: Soulful, Diverse, and God-Centered

Today, Craig is known for his skills as a pianist, keyboardist, drummer, and background vocalist. He also has the ability to teach vocals and lead songs while simultaneously playing the piano. Although he is familiar with the organ, he has yet to master the floor pedals.

What sets Craig apart from other musicians is his ability to combine his Southern musical influences with diverse styles he’s encountered throughout his life. Over the years, he’s refined his playing to add more depth, color, and definition, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to different genres. His unique sound stems from a combination of snippets he’s heard in churches, the music he feels in his soul, and the melodies he downloads from Heaven.

For the past decade, Craig has focused solely on seeking God’s heart through music, pouring his passion and devotion into every note. His music is more than just a performance; it’s an offering of worship, a reflection of his deep connection with his faith and his Creator.

In a world of ever-changing musical trends, Craig remains dedicated to a singular purpose: to play for God and to inspire others through the power of music.

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