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Front Porch Fiddlin' in Alabama by Roy Crawford
Roy Crawford
To purchase CD go to Roy Crawford - Fiddle
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What started as a means of
simply entertaining the family on the front porch after a hard day in
the fields became a life long passion for Roy Crawford. He got his start
in the family band on mandolin (his brother Dick was already doing
fiddle duty at that time) and the musical seed was planted that still
blossoms today every time Roy draws a bow. Roy played professionally in
the early 1950's with Alabama groups such as Rebe and Rabe, Peck Rowell
and the Covered Wagon Boys, and Rebe and the Sunny Valley Boys. They
played schoolhouse concerts, dances and were featured on a daily radio
show.
In 1955, he settled down to be a family man and data processor, putting away his fiddle. Fiddling is a part of who Roy Crawford is, and he picked it back up in the early 70's. He took to entering contests and started winning. Not long after winning the top honors at the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Athens, Alabama, Roy caught the attention of the Smithsonian Institute and was chosen to play for its July 4th celebration in our nation's bicentennial year. It was during this show that he and a select few musicians played "America the Beautiful" to a worldwide audience via satellite television. Yes, "Award-Winning Fiddler" doesn't adequately describe Roy Crawford's achievements in the world of Fiddling. He's won the Senior division of the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's Convention numerous times. Since 1980 he has been crowned "Fiddle King" at the Georgia Mountain Fiddler's Contest several times, beating none other than the late Randy Howard in 1996. Roy was invited to compete in the Super Bowl of Fiddling - The Grand Masters in Nashville for over 20 years, never having to compete in the elimination round. He's won so many trophies over the years, he's had to store the old ones so he can make room for more recent additions! So, as you listen to this album of fiddle tunes played in the award -winning Crawford style, you'll hear a man who has spent years honing his craft to become one of Alabama's state treasures. - Tom Cauthen Tom Cauthen co-hosted the popular radio show "All Things Country" for six years on the Troy State Public Radio Network.
Song List 1. Raggedy Anne |
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Roy
Crawford Alabama Grand Master Roy was born on February 12th 1934 in Clay County
Alabama, the youngest of 4 brothers and three sisters ( all musically
inclined). After a hard day in the fields the family would gather on the
front porch of their home for an evening of playing music. This was a
full family event. (Older brother Dick had already taken up the fiddle
at that time) so Roy started out on the mandolin. As the story goes the
musical seed was planted that still blossoms today and every time Roy
draws a bow. He started out in the music business with Tommy
Farr and the Southern Flames out of radio WRFS, in Alexander City, Ala.
1952. He worked with Peck Rowell and the Covered Wagon Boys out WJHO,
Opelika, Ala. 1953. Worked with Rebe Gosdin of "Rebe and Rabe"
fame out of WBAM, Montgomery, Ala. 1954 - 1955 Unfortunately, Roy had to leave the music business
for several years to pursue a career in Data Processing. The
responsibility of raising a family became his first priority, but Roy
played the fiddle at every opportunity, family reunions, holidays, get
togethers and with friends. In
the early 70's Roy pursued fiddling part time with various bands and
thru fiddling competitions. To no surprise to anyone he won, and won,
and won! His contest list includes: Alabama state Champion, Birmingham Bell Auditorium,
1973. 1976 Not long after winning the top honors at the
Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Athens, Alabama, Roy
caught the attention of the Smithsonian Institute and was chosen to play
for its July 4th celebration in our nation's bicentennial year. It was
during this show that he and a select few musicians played "America
the Beautiful" to a worldwide audience via satellite television. He
has won the Senior division of the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's
Convention numerous times. Since 1980 he has been crowned "Fiddle
King" at the Georgia Mountain Fiddler's Contest several times
including 2004, beating none other than the late Randy Howard in 1996. Central Ala. Sr. Champion, McFarland Mall,
Tuscaloosa, Ala. numerous times. * Most Recent: 2006. The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens. Roy won 1st place in the Classic Old time Fiddler
competition. He currently play bluegrass with Roy Crawford and
the Cullman County Bluegrass band and participate in fiddling
competition at every opportunity. He teaches fiddle, banjo, guitar and
mandolin part time to a wide range of students young and old, students
include a former Ms. Alabama. Visit www.roycrawford.net
for more information. Roy Crawford and the Cullman County Blue
Grass members are "I'm an Alabama boy from the word `Go,
"he says. Quoted from an interview with Alabama Alive! Magazine.
This is very evident even from the name of his CD "Front Porch
Fiddlin' in Alabama with Roy Crawford". Visit his website for more
information on Roy and his music. Contact: Roy Crawford roycrawf@roycrawford.net |