FLOYD CRAMER

Biography

Floyd Cramer was born on October 27, 1933, in Campti, Louisiana, near Shreveport, and grew up in the small sawmill town of Huttig, Arkansas. He began playing piano by ear at age five, developing a distinctive 'slip-note' style characterized by smooth, slightly discordant slides that became a hallmark of his sound. After high school graduation in 1951, he moved to Shreveport to work as a pianist on the Louisiana Hayride radio show, backing artists like Hank Williams Sr., Webb Pierce, Jim Reeves, Lefty Frizzell, and early performances by Elvis Presley.[1][2][3]

Fun Facts

• Cramer's piano intro on Elvis Presley's 'Heartbreak Hotel' defined the song's lonesome sound using his signature slip-note style.[1][2][6]
• He recorded his live album 'In Concert' in 1976 in the cafeteria of his ninth-grade daughter's junior high school in Nashville, at her request, and it became one of his best efforts.[3]
• Cramer won a Grammy in 1979 for Best Country Instrumental Performance for 'My Blue Eyes'.[3]
• He claimed he didn't like to practice, calling it 'play' because he enjoyed it so much.[3]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Chet Atkins - Encouraged him to become a session pianist and served as key producer (Numerous RCA albums and sessions) [1955-1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Chet Atkins - Frequent producer, touring partner in the Million Dollar Band (Classics album series, live tours) [1960s-1970s]
• Boots Randolph - Touring partner in the Million Dollar Band (Live performances and recordings) [1960s]
• Elvis Presley - Session pianist on major hits, early touring companion ("Heartbreak Hotel", early Texas tours) [1952-1956]
• Patsy Cline - Session musician (Various hits) [1950s-1960s]
• Brenda Lee - Session musician (Various recordings) [1950s-1960s]

External Links

• Spotify