Those younger than “a certain age” who are reading this may well ask that question.
Some people collect celebrity autographs and other memorabilia, but that’s never been my thing. Not that I wouldn’t like to meet some and greet famous people, I’ve just not been in a position to do that often. I can only think of one time I was.
One of my favorite memories of performing with the South Arkansas Symphony (there are too many to number) was being chosen to play in the small group of backup string players for Floyd Cramer when he played a benefit concert for the symphony in El Dorado.
For those too young to remember, Floyd Cramer was a popular pianist in the 1950s-70s, although he didn’t hit his stride and become a well-known solo artist until 1960. In 2003 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Born in Shreveport, Cramer grew up in Huttig, not far from my hometown of El Dorado. He taught himself to play piano and gained popularity playing the Louisiana Hayride. He went on to Nashville and became an in-demand session pianist for Elvis, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, and numerous others. He was the pianist on Elvis’ big hit “Heartbreak Hotel.” But, early on, no one really knew his name. He was just backup himself.
According to wikipedia, Cramer was quoted early in his solo career as saying, “Trying to launch myself on a solo career, after being Elvis Presley’s pianist for so long, placed me in an unenviable position. Some people thought I was trying to cash in. If I had wanted to cash in on my association with Elvis, I would have done it five years ago.”
Cramer, by most accounts, was the performer who developed what came to be known as the “slip note” style, something that’s difficult for me to explain since I don’t play piano much. Cramer was quoted as saying, “The style I use mainly is a whole-tone slur which gives more of a lonesome cowboy sound. You hit a note and slide almost simultaneously to another.” According to wikipedia again, he acknowledged the influence of Mother Maybelle Carter’s autoharp playing. You can hear his unique style for yourself on youtube.com. I still love it.
The only singer/pianist I’ve heard play in that style recently is Norah Jones, which is one of many reasons I enjoyed her first album. When my Uncle Glen first heard her play, his almost immediate remark was, “Is that Floyd Cramer’s daughter?” Cramer, however, was not a singer.
His most popular hit by far was “Last Date,” an instrumental blockbuster that came out in 1960 and a tune I heard often at my great-aunt Marie’s and great-uncle J.D.’s house when I was a kid. Much of Cramer’s stuff was considered country, but he did put out albums that included instrumental versions of hits by popular singers and groups, including (of all things) The Monkees (don’t get me wrong — I thought The Monkees were cool). His last biggish hit was his version of the theme from the TV show “Dallas” in 1980. Like many American performers, he had greater success on the charts in England.
Apparently, Cramer’s grandson Jason Coleman inherited his grandfather’s piano skills and style, displaying them in a touring tribute concert called “The Piano Magic of Floyd Cramer.” I’d like to catch that one sometime.
I wish I could remember exactly what year Cramer came to El Dorado, but it had to be in the late 1980s or early ’90s. He died in 1997, just a few years after we moved from there to Texas to pursue teaching opportunities. I’m exceedingly glad that I got to meet and play for the man.
Being backstage at the Municipal Auditorium with performing artists of various stripes was always interesting, none more so to me than Floyd Cramer. I was surprised by how he stood around with us and talked, rather than secluding himself in the small dressing room that was reserved for visiting artists.
I told Floyd Cramer that I had listened to his records since I was a little kid, that my great-aunt and great-uncle played them all the time. He laughed and said that that made him feel old. I didn’t know it at the time, but he was only a couple of years older than my mother. Of course, I thought he was ancient. But there I was, talking with a legend from my childhood, and we were chatting like we were old buddies.
One of the numbers on the concert Cramer played was, of course, “Last Date.” That was a thrill for me. I seem to remember my face hurting after that concert, I had smiled so much.
Despite his enormous success, there was no pretension or air of superiority about Cramer. He was just a guy who grew up in Huttig. Playing backup for him was something I’ll always remember. But I didn’t even ask for his autograph.