ROOTS of Country Music

The Professional Work of Floyd Cramer 

(Oct. 27, 1933 – Dec.  31, 1997)

Career Highlights 

Barn Dance Affiliate: Louisiana Hayride -1951 

Grand Ole Opry

Film, Night Club, Radio & TV 

• AustinCity Limits, 4
• Billy Bob'sTexas, 2
• Ed Sullivan Show, 4
• Ernest Tubb’s  Midnight Jamboree, 3
• Gilley’s Club, 2
• Hee Haw, 4
• NashvilleNow, 4
• Pop Goes the Country, 4
• The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, 4
• The Jimmy Dean Show, 4
• The Johnny Cash Show, 4
• The Porter Wagoner Show, 4
• The Statler Brothers Show, 4
• The Wilburn Brothers Show, 4 

1-Film, 2-Night Club, 3-Radio, 4-TV 

Billboard Chart Data 

• No. 1 Singles: 0
• Top-20 Singles: 2
• Crossover Singles: 2
• Charted Singles: 5
• Chart Years Active: 1960-1980

Awards 

Country Music Association 

• Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003

Career Label: 

• RCA Records (1960-1980)

Billboard Top-20 Singles 

1. Last Date*A -1960
2. San Antonio Rose#A -1961

*-Gold Chart Single

#-Biggest Chart Single

A-Crossover Chart Single

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Floyd Cramer was a hall of fame pianist who was one of the architects of the Nashville sound during the 1960s. 

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana (LA) Cramer grew up in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, teaching himself to play the piano. After finishing high school, he returned to Shreveport, LA, where he worked as a pianist for the Louisiana Hayride radio show. 

In 1955, Cramer moved to Nashville, Tennessee (TN) and became one of the most sought-after session musicians in town. He played on sessions by Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline and Perry Como, as well as the historic 1955 recordings Elvis Presley made in his debut at RCA Records.

Cramer was a vastly experienced Nashville session player, working on countless recording sessions during the 1950s and 1960s. Floyd Cramer can be heard on many Jim Reeves and Elvis Presley records often with his long-time friend Chet Atkins.

Floyd Cramer recorded with Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Charlie Pride, Barbara Mandrell, Roy Orbison and many country and pop artists during his long career. During the early 1960s he regularly entered the US charts. Two notable hits were the superb On The Rebound and his somber reading of Bob Wills' New San Antonio Rose.

After seventy-five albums, Cramer was still making commercially successful recordings into the 1980s, having a further hit in 1980 with the theme from the TV series Dallas. With Atkins, Cramer remained Nashville's most prolific musician until his death from cancer. Besides country and rock, Cramer played jazz, blues, gospel and light classical.

Floyd Cramer was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Don Gibson Recording Session

Feb. 7, 1969

RCA Victor Studio; 806 17 Ave. South, Nashville, Tennessee

Producers: Danny Davis

Session Personnel: Don Gibson (vocal, leader), Chester B. Atkins (guitar), Ray Edenton (rhythm guitar), Harold Bradley, Thomas Grady Martin (electric guitar), Roy Huskey Jr. (bass guitar), Buddy Harman(drums), Charlie McCoy (harmonica, vibes), Floyd Cramer (piano), The Joaranaires (Hoyt H. Hawkins, Neal Matthews Jr., Hugh Gordon Stoker, Raymond C. Walker) vocal chorus

• Solitary
• I Will Always
• Montego Bay

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Loretta Lynn Recording Sessions

Oct. 5, 1966 

Bradley Barn; Mt. Juliet, Tennessee USA 

Session Personnel: Loretta Lynn, Jordanaires (vocals), Harold Brasdley (6-stribg electric bass guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Murrey "Buddy" Harman Jr. (drums), Roy Huskey Jr. (bass guitar), Thomas Grady Martin (electric guitar), Harold Rugg (steel guitar), Johnny Russell (guitar) 

1. Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' 

Jan. 18, 1967 

Bradley Barn; Mt. Juliet, Tennessee USA 

Session Personnel: Loretta Lynn (vocal), Harold Brasdley (6-stribg electric bass guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Murrey "Buddy" Harman Jr. (drums), Thomas Grady Martin (electric guitar), Harold Rugg (steel guitar), Joe Zinkan (bass guitar) 

1. If You're Not Gone Too Long

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Researched, written and compiled by Richard Bell. Roots of Country Music. Oct., 15, 2011.