Floyd Cramer was a legendary pianist who pioneered a distinctive style of playing that became known as the “slip-note” or “bent-note” style. He was one of the most influential and sought-after session musicians in Nashville, working with stars like Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, and many others. He also had a successful solo career, with hits like “Last Date” and “On the Rebound”. He was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his contributions to music. However, his life and career were cut short by lung cancer, which claimed his life on December 31, 1997, at the age of 64.
Contents
Floyd Cramer’s Early Life and Career
Floyd Cramer was born on October 27, 1933, in Shreveport, Louisiana, but grew up in Huttig, Arkansas. He taught himself to play the piano at the age of five, and was influenced by the sounds of country, blues, and gospel music. After finishing high school, he returned to Shreveport, where he worked as a pianist for the radio show Louisiana Hayride. There he met and played with a young Elvis Presley, who hired him as part of his band in 1955. However, when Presley moved to Hollywood, Cramer decided to stay in Nashville to pursue his own career as a studio musician.
Floyd Cramer’s Slip-Note Style and Nashville Sound
In Nashville, Cramer found that piano accompaniment in country music was growing in popularity. He developed a unique technique of playing that involved sliding or bending one note into or away from another note, creating a smooth and melodic sound. This style contrasted with the more percussive and rhythmic style of other pianists at the time. Cramer’s slip-note style added a pop flavor to the country songs he played on, and helped create what became known as the “Nashville sound”, a blend of country and pop that appealed to a wider audience.
Cramer’s slip-note style can be heard on many classic songs, such as Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel”, Cline’s “Crazy”, Orbison’s “Only the Lonely”, and Lee’s “I’m Sorry”. He also influenced many other pianists who adopted his style, such as Charlie Rich, Ronnie Milsap, Mickey Gilley, and Ray Stevens.
Floyd Cramer’s Solo Success and Legacy
While Cramer was well-established as a session player, he also had a long career as a solo performer. He released over 50 albums and had several instrumental hits that showcased his slip-note style. His most famous hit was “Last Date”, which he composed and recorded in 1960. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold over one million copies. It was followed by “On the Rebound”, which topped the UK Singles Chart in 1961.
Cramer also performed live with other musicians, such as guitar legend Chet Atkins and saxophonist Boots Randolph. They formed a group called the Million Dollar Band and toured the US in the mid-1960s. Cramer also funded college music scholarships for around 200 students at East Tennessee State University.
Cramer continued to record and perform until he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1997. He died on New Year’s Eve at his home in Nashville. He was survived by his wife Mary and two daughters. He was buried in Madison, Tennessee.
Cramer’s legacy lives on through his music and his influence on other pianists. He was honored with several awards and recognitions, such as a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance in 1979 for “My Blue Eyes”, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984, an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 as a sideman.
Floyd Cramer was a remarkable pianist who changed the sound of country music with his slip-note style. He left behind a rich musical legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
