JIMMIE CRAWFORD
Jimmie hit Nashville in 1957, and for almost 50 years was a major player in the pedal steel ranks, but his skills were multi-faceted, as the description on his induction in 2000 into the Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame testifies - “recording artist, touring sideman, producer, instructor, and inventor of 'mu-sym-tab'.
He created the 'Crawford Cluster' knee lever concept, and with JOHN HUGHEY produced JCH pedal steel guitars from 1981 his talent was quickly recognized by others, as he got work with COWBOY COPAS, GEORGE JONES, HANK SNOW, FARON YOUNG, FERLIN HUSKY and the JOHNNY WRIGHT/KITTY WELLS show.
He was also recording heavily, being used by
DOLLY PARTON, SLIM WHITMAN, CHET ATKINS, and so many other recording greats
Jimmie also had strong Australian connections.
He toured with SLIM WHITMAN in 1998 and 1989 where he formed a strong friendship with JEAN STAFFORD. He subsequently produced four tracks for Jean's gold-selling That Says It All album in the early 90s and the song Tassie’s got it all in the mid 90s
Jimmie also toured with the Queens of Country Kitty Wells & Jean Stafford in Queensland Australia in 1998 and last year co-produced (with Jean) her brand new album Let The Dance Begin.
JIMMIE CRAWFORD died in Nashville on 2 February. He was 69.
Tribute by Jean Stafford
Jimmy, good bye my friend and thank you for the memories that will live on in our hearts and on disk.
We will miss you so very much you were a great friend you surrounded every one you touched with love
Thank you for believing in me, for giving me your untiring Support, and for
teaching me to believe in myself, in miracles, and God.
May you rest in piece; you have taken a little piece of us all with you on
your journey to Gods holy Land.
We love you Mate
Eternal love
Jean Stafford
Australia
