Just a few days ahead of taking the stage at the Four Square Mile Music Festival, country musician Adam Craig took some time out of his day to pay tribute to his hometown in a very special way.
Craig and several dozen Tenino residents gathered at the Tenino High School football stadium Wednesday to film a unique take of the now viral Lip Sync Challenge – featuring Craig helping sing one of his own songs.
Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier explained the challenge started in Texas and is a friendly challenge between police departments to produce the best lip sync video. Fournier said several Tenino citizens commented that Tenino should do one, but it was not until Tenino officer John White suggested it to Craig’s family, and Craig said yes, that the idea really took off.
“It was supposed to be top secret,” White said.
“Small towns talk and top secret became everyone knew and it grew and grew and everyone wanted to be part of it,” Fournier added.
News of something happening at the stadium was passed mainly through social media in about 24 hours. Some people came knowing exactly what was about to happen, others were just curious. But they showed up in droves, almost all sporting their Tenino red and black. Former Tenino School District employee Lucy Hickey was the first one in the stands, shrugging off Tenino School District maintenance workers who said they knew nothing of an event that day.
“This is just awesome,” Hickey said of the event. “This community is very supportive. Every time we do something like this, everybody shows up.”
The lip sync challenge filming was done by former Tenino Police Chief Fred Doughty and Toledo police officer Sam Patrick, of Celtic America Film & Media (who are now in editing stages of their mystery movie “Cinebar”). Patrick said he liked the idea that the challenge was about supporting law enforcement but also that it was a unique take on the other entries he’d seen.
“There are some great ones out there but most are just plain lip syncing,” Patrick said. “It’s not always possible to have the singer of the song come in and sing it.”
Born and raised in Tenino, Craig moved to Nashville in 2004 to start his country music career. He has had successes both as a songwriter but also as a singer and performer. But he frequents his hometown and his family’s Adam Craig Foundation has done much good in the south Thurston County town.
“He’s a great role model that someone coming from a small town and a small high school can be successful in the broader world of country music,” said Tenino School District Superintendent Joe Belmonte. “And he and his family are crazy supportive of the city and school district.”
“My philosophy is don’t forget your roots and he has not forgotten his roots,” said Parkside Elementary Principal Brock Williams, who also coached Craig in middle school basketball and high school football and baseball. “It’s students and athletes like him that inspire me to keep doing what I’m doing.”
And true to his reputation, Craig sauntered into the stadium for the shoot all smiles, shaking hands and patting dogs on the head like he was just one of the crowd. They positioned him in the middle of those gathered and several takes of the song happened, including some filming by drone. Afterward, Craig visited with those in the stands and posed for pictures.
“It’s an honor to be asked and I’m thankful to be here,” Craig said of the event. “I’m so thankful to be part of this community and as long as people keep coming back to listen, I’ll keep coming back to play music.”
