Craig Whitaker, a South Jersey native, grew up surrounded by his father’s Motown records, his mother’s show tunes, and the rock anthems of 1980s MTV. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist inspired by icons such as Garth Brooks, Rascal Flatts, and fellow "New Jersey-ian" Bruce Springsteen, Whitaker developed a passion for songwriting and live performance during his college years at Penn State. After forming his first band in 2000, he gained regional acclaim performing alongside major national acts and earning radio play and TV exposure. His song “One By One” was featured on NBC’s ER, marking a career milestone. After stepping back from music to focus on fatherhood, Whitaker returned home in 2014, reigniting his creativity and recording his debut solo EP "Here and California" produced by Rascal Flatts’ drummer Jim Riley . Today, he continues to write and collaborate in Nashville, crafting songs that blend resilience, hope, and heart. Whitaker's newest release, the four-song EP "Better Than I Remember", again with Riley at the helm, will be released on April 10th, 2026, with supporting tour dates.