Every region of the country had their local star- that person that teetered on the brink of stardom. Radio deejay. Recording artist. Performer. Promoter. Talent scout. Music Publisher. Maybe they ran their own label. Sometimes a studio.They ALWAYS seemed to be one step away from finally making it.... just one step away.
Our local guy was Fred Crawford.
Like many I was first hep'd to Fred through the 1956 Starday release "Rock Candy Rock", a steady little piano/guitar jiver that has unfortunately overshadowed his stronger country/hillbilly efforts.
I'm not sure when Fred first began his professional career. His obituary mentioned that as an 11 year old he had "You Are My Shine"'d his way to a talent show victory on Shreveport's KWKH. Also mentioned in the same obituary is that by age 25 his recording career was underway. Would assume this would have included his incredibly rare 4-Star custom press.
Not mentioned is that Fred had a decent string of excellent releases on the infamous Starday label, all of which are WELL worth tracking down. The rockabilly of "Rock Candy Rock" stands in contrast to his other releases for the label. As does the pop effort "By The Mission Wall", notable for being recorded in Clovis with Norman Petty producing, Buddy Holly playing guitar, and the Bowman Brothers providing back-up vocals. All other efforts were hardcore country with a foot in the blues.
FRED CRAWFORD- You Gotta Wait (Starday 170)"You Gotta Wait" is just an outstanding uptempo hillbilly call to action.
FRED CRAWFORD- Can't Live With 'Em (Starday 199)I feel that Fred's crowning achievement is "Can't Live With 'Em"... never has a white boy had such a bad case of the blues. Note that the songwriter is Mineoloa 'local guy' Jack Rhodes.
(Funny story... or not. At the same sale where a local acquired the Knights Bridge disc blogged previously I found a warped copy of Starday 199 on 78.)
Fred recorded a total of 9 discs for Starday. There was also at least one waxing for the D label. After that Fred was strictly local, recording for Tommy Allsup/Max Gorman's Westex/AOK stable, Spiral(which was housed in the former AOK studios), Tic-Toc, Lobo, and a label or two more. Among those efforts are a couple of records supporting his beloved Monahans High School football team and an odd little tribute to coin collecting. Obviously he had great hopes in "By the Mission Walls" as it was recorded again for AOK in the mid-60s and again for a cassette tape release on Texas Soul.
All throughout his career Cornfed Fred maintain a presence on local radio stations. And he seemed to always have an ear out for talent as well.
Fred passed away in 1998 in Colorado City.
Anyone got a scan of the 4-Star OP custom release?
4 comments:
This is a wonderful blog, and it's a treat to know it's run by a fellow teacher!
Found it looking for info on Ruben Molina's book on Chicano Soul. I look forward to more updates!
Killer stuff, w-Tex, as always. What could be better than an obscure Starday honky-tonk 78?
It was great to come across the article about Fred Crawford. I grew up listening to him on KERB country in Kermit and when I brokr into radio, I had the opportunity to work with him at KVMC in Colorado City. I once owned a copy of Mission Walls as well as one that was not mentioned in your article titled "40 Model Ford V8". Great blog
Hi!
Great blog, I am a fellow teacher too! Nice to have some info on one of my all-time faves, the late Fred Crawford. Once I possessed 2 Starday 78s by him...May I reproduce your notes in a future article on my site: www.bopping.org? Check it once please!
Anyway, keep up the good work, and things going, and Lâche pas la patate (Jimmy C. Newman)
Xavier (France)
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