SWEEPIN' THE CLOUDS AWAY - NEW CD - LISTEN TO ALL 15 TRACKS AT CDBABY
AUTHENTIC DANCE BAND ARRANGEMENTS FROM THE 1920s and 1930s
(vocals by JC)
Inspired by dance band records made between the two world wars by the orchestras of Ray Noble, Paul Whiteman, Jean Goldkette, Leo Reisman, Duke Ellington, Abe Lyman, Vincent Lopez, Jimmie Grier, Earl Burtnett, The Dorsey Brothers, Ben Bernie, Ben Selvin, Ted Fiorito, Fred Rich, Cab Calloway, Roy Fox, Jack Payne, Guy Lombardo, Ted Weems, Ozzie Nelson, Anson Weeks, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Nat Shilkret, Victor Young and many, many others.
Jean Harlow (another inspiration), sweepin' the clouds away.
Sounds Like
I love singing; in the car, in the shower, anywhere really. Especially when I'm being paid to do it, although that doesn't happen very often in the shower. Depending on my mood, some of the late, great singers I may emulate include Fred Astaire, Smith Ballew, Al Bowlly, Buddy Clark, Russ Columbo, Bing Crosby, Dick Powell, Rudy Vallee, Harry Barris, Cliff Edwards, Phil Neeley, Lew Conrad, Dick Todd, Tino Rossi, Jean Sablon, Maurice Chevalier, Bob Dylan and Sophie Tucker.
I was a very happy Mouseketeer when I was given a brief solo at our first recording session in 1955. Later, I enjoyed recording for Del-Fi Records. But what I loved most during my youth, was acting in a western tv series, having my own horse, learning to rope, and playing Red River Valley on my harmonica. In my head, I was actually living in the 1880s, and I continued to live there even after two years in the army; as a young veteran, I couldn't resist the allure of rural America, and the excitement of participating in cowboy events at dusty arenas. My family was a little concerned.
Then, in my 26th year, I began a road trip from which I have never returned.
An antique automobile put me in touch with the spirit of my grandfather, Bobby Crawford (1889-1941). A former jockey from Chicago, the "dynamo song plugger" married the young pianist at Woolworth's and soon became vice president of Irving Berlin's music publishing company. Not satisfied, he left Berlin to form De Sylva, Brown & Henderson as well as Crawford Music Corporation, and moved his office into the penthouse of New York's famous Brill Building ("Tin Pan Alley"). He made a quick fortune. Then he lost it, even quicker, about the time my old car was rolling off the assembly line, in the "fall" of 1929.
I became possessed by my grandfather's spirit. I would find myself driving around in the middle of the night, hearing forgotten dance bands and singing songs I didn't even know I knew. Instead of the 1880s, suddenly I was living in the 1920s. This was considerable progress, but my family was still a little concerned. So, after word got around, arrangements were made and two years were spent in an institution on the east coast known as Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, the notorious asylum for musicians lost in time (see top friends).
When I got back to LA, the brakes on the old car were frozen, but grandpa's spirit kept me moving. Crawford Music Services, now in it's 16th year, stays quite busy doing special events for a list of clients that includes Paramount Pictures, Fox Television, the Academy Foundation, the Art Directors Guild, UCLA and USC. The flagship of the company is the Johnny Crawford Dance Orchestra, from which a long promised CD is NOW AVAILABLE.
I hope you enjoy these vintage dance band arrangements, and the spirit of my grandpa, as much as I do.
Johnny, you & I are about the same age, I loved the Rifleman TV show, I understand by reading here that it..s the 50th anniversary of the show. I was amazed by your acting skills at that very young age. Thank you for Mark & for The Johnny Crawford Orchestra Dan
Hope you are having a wonderful week and enjoying all the celebrating of the 50th anniversary of The Rifleman! Johnny, you and Chuck Conners made this show a great series. It's as distinguished today as it was back then. Congratulations again on an outstanding series of work!
Hope you have a great week! Congrats to you on the 50th anniversary of the Rifleman! One of my favorites of all time. You still have an amazing voice. Take care.
Hi Johnny. When 18 year old Livvie found out you had showcased one of her videos on your page, she was thrilled! She isn't on myspace so she wanted me to let you know of her appreciation.
"Is there any way you could send Johnny a messege for me, and tell him how honored I feel about him putting my vid on his myspace?
Even though "honored" doesn't even begin to cover it. There's also excited, flattered, amazed, astounded, elated, ecstatic...and all those other types of words. lol.
Just that I made something that he could appreciate, it just...it's such a wonderful feeling.
God gets the credit for this. Totally."
We know she had great material to work with too. ;) Have a wonderful day!
On Tuesday, Sept 30, there's going to be a 24-hour Marathon (midnight to midnight) of THE RIFLEMAN on the Encore Western Channel, in honor of its 50th Anniversary!
Hello, I hope you're having a very delightful day! Don't forget to pass by my Vintage Life Network that celebrates EVERYTHING vintage. Here's the link, I hope you'll join and have lots of fun :)
you are amazing (not too annoy you with it because you probably dont want to hear it but...)when the Rifleman comes on, i am the first to the tv! i love watching you as Mark...!
Hi Johnny! Thanks for adding me as one of your many enthusiastic FRIENDS! Love your music and your style! A Big TOAST to you from the Old RagJazzMonkey!
Hello Johnny..thank you very much for adding me..your music sounds fantastic!!..you have been blessed with such a wonderful voice..thank you so very much for sharing it..have an awesome week.. Always, Pam
