Jim "Crawdaddy" Crawford started in the music business as a ‘roadie’ for Morgan Davis and David Wilcox from 1974 – l976. It was during this period that he began to take an interest in the slide guitar.
He started playing a Magnatone Lap Steel Guitar that Morgan had given him and later a “National” steel guitar and began to learn the ‘Hank Williams’ steel guitar player, Don Helms’ style of playing.
Jim was honored when he was invited to play on stage one evening with David, Morgan and Donnie Walsh, a memory he says he’ll cherish forever.
During this period Jim heard the album Dueling Banjo’s and If I’d Only Comeand Gone by The Earl Scruggs Revue. He was captivated by the Dobro he heard played by Uncle Josh Graves. These two albums literally changed his life
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Jim met Josh Graves in 1974 and the two became great friends. Josh lived in Madison, Tennessee and played in Ontario quite a bit in the late 70's, early 80's. Jim took advantage of that opportunity and went to as many shows as he could. They played gigs in the Ottawa, Chattam, Quebec, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto and Peterborough area to name a few. Josh always encouraged him onstage to watch and learn. You learn mighty fast when Uncle Josh introduces you and tells you to take the next break!
Jim spent many of his summer vacations traveling throughout the southern states with Josh and later found a home away from home in Bush, Louisiana where he played with the Poverty Hill Bluegrass Band with Buford Johnson, Mandolin/Vocals, Bill Russell, Guitar/Vocals, Teri Hillyard, Upright Bass/Vocals, Jim (Big Fish) Calvin, Fiddle, Guitar and Banjo.
Many a night was spent around the campfire at the Five Lakes Campground in Bush, La. playing with some amazing players like The Virginia Squires, Bobby Smith and the Boys from Shiloh, Doyle Lawson, Rags Barnes and The Cox Family to name a few.
Jim was grateful to have been able to hang out with Josh in Nashville and meet and play with some of the greatest pioneers of Bluegrass Music such as Bill Monroe, Mac Wiseman, Brother Oswald, Joe Stewart, Benny Martin and John Hartford. Many hours were also spent sitting around Josh’s kitchen table with his wife Evelyn and Jim’s wife Sherry.
He will always be forever grateful for the life experiences that he encountered while traveling with Josh and even more for the years of encouragement and friendship.
Jim traveled to Tennessee in 2001 to record a long overdue album with his Mentor- Josh Graves. The finished product ‘Down South’ is a CD that Jim is very proud of and will treasure forever. Copies are available for purchase.
Throughout the years Jim continued to become skilled at his instrument, listening to players such as Jerry Douglas, Mike Auldridge and Rob Ickes, players who were also influenced by Uncle Josh.
Back in Ontario, Jim has formed and played with several bands over the years such as: Highrise, Strange Creek,Gypsy Grass, Traditionally Aged, Crawdaddy Pie and presently with The Bluegrass Cats.
Jim and his wife Sherry also perform at Retirement Homes in the beautiful Kawartha's. They play Bluegrass, Classic Country and even a Beatles number or two.
