I was born in
Crownpoint, NM. As a child, I spent many
hours listening to a battery powered radio.
The first song I recall was "Freight
Train Freight Train Go So Fast" on KGAK
radio in Gallup, NM. I was encouraged to
sing by my mother, and on cold winter nights
I would sing to my family's request. I recall
feeling sad when my voice changed at 11 years
of age. I continued to singing in church
and school. In 1962, I went to live with
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin A. Cook in Torrey, Utah.
In 1967, my Scoutmaster, LaVoy Tolbert,
began teaching me how to play the guitar.
That same year, he bought me a hand-picked
guitar, which I worked off doing odd jobs
at his business. With his patient assistance
I learned quickly and auditioned for the
high school's traveling talent show which
visited other schools in our district. The
response was postitive, and I began writing
my first songs as a sophomore.
In 1969, I graduated from Wayne High School
in Bicknell, Utah, and joined the Marines
and became a "Hollywood Marine",
slang for recruits trained at the infamous
M.C.R.D. (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) BOOT
CAMP in San Diego. During the next two years
I served in Camp Pendleton, Memphis Naval
Air Station, Cherry Point North Carolina,
Santa Anna Helicopter Base, and Kaneohe Marine
Corps Air Station, Ohahu, Hawaii.
While in Hawaii, I met a B.Y.U. HAWAII student
named Mariddie Ann Johnson. Our friendship
grew over the next five years via letters
and occasional visits, and we got married
in spring of 1975. We have three sons, Dustinn,
Nephi, and Shiloh. Our home is in Whiskey
Flats, Arizona.
Perhaps no other event in my life has been
more influential than meeting Mariddie. This
strong-willed woman of the White Mountain
Apache Tribe, has been the majority of my
inspiration for the songs, poetry, and things
I have created. Her community is nestled
in the beautiful White Mountain range in
central eastern Arizona. I married
into a ready-made family for she was raising
her preteen brother and sister, Berlinda
and Duwayne. We raised them along with our
three sons till they graduated from high
school
Our first musical recording "Navajo
Code-Talker" was produced by The Heard
Museum in 1982. Along with our recording
projects, we managed to work full-time and
attend Arizona State University. Although
life presents obstacles which seem impossible,
with the love and encouragement of my wife
and sons, I now embrace the most cherished
gift I ever recieved...sobriety. We wish
to thank those fans who have supported us
throughout our journeys.
- Vincent Craig and Family |
