Floyd Cramer   -  Biography

Floyd Cramer was born on Oct. 27, 1933, in Shreveport, La. The style and sound of Cramer's piano-playing was arguably one of the biggest influences on post-50s country music. His delicate rock 'n' roll sound was achieved by accentuating the discord in rolling from the main note to a sharp or flat, known as "slip note". This is perfectly highlighted in his first major hit, "Last Date", in 1960.

He was already a vastly experienced Nashville session player, playing on countless records during the 50s. He can be heard on many Jim Reeves and Elvis Presley records (one of his first sessions was "Heartbreak Hotel"), often with his long-time friend Chet Atkins. He also recorded with Patsy Cline and Roy Orbison. During the early 60s 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 dozens of albums Cramer was still making commercially successful recordings into the 80s, 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 on Dec. 31, 1997. He was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003.