Old Rivers Songwriter Cliff Crofford Discusses Old Rivers and Walter Brennan

[Hawkswill]

Great tribute, Kristen, especially by one so young. Would love a picture of Old Rivers and your great grandfather. I am writing a book about the back scene heroes who made our heroes so great. If you remember any of his back scene movie stories , would love to interview you. Keith Payne. Hawkswill@yadtel.net. Thanks muchly!

[Cheeweeweefilms]

We loved the song so much my friend and I used it to create a Multi Media project for our community college project which we just uploaded to you tube We are touched by your love and tribute to your Grandfather, I'm sure it would make him so proud! We would love a pic of Old Rivers emailed to Cheeweefilms@aol.com Your Grandpa has left a lovely legacy for you and all the world!

[IGOROZKARSKY]

Jack Clement wrote the song "GUESS THINGS HAPPEN THAT WAY"

for Marty Robbins & Marty made a demo of it (at Sun records studio),

according to Jack himself. But Johnny Cash had a hit record with it.

[IGOROZKARSKY]

GOD BLESS ALL SONGWRITERS... ME INCLUDED...

[dnnylee]

Thank you sir for this song sir, so very much from the bottom of my heart I believe God inspired your heart and hand to write this song sir, God bless you, your family and friends.

[don8001]

Old Rivers reminds me so much of when I was a youngster growing up in rural Missouri. I would love Love to have a picture of Old Rivers. I did live in Pamona for a few years and remember well when Walter Bennnan pased away. Don Simmons, don800@netins.net Don Simmons, 6962 Olive Lane, Neosho, Missouri. 64850 Thank you so very much.

[TheLongshot11]

Hi ,You couldnt' wrote a song for a better person.and got a match so good.I been hunting for it for years and ever forgot it.Thanking you for a song that has bless so many people.Jack

longshot11

[TheLongshot11]

Hi,you couldn't pick a better song for the one who got.I been hunting for it for years.and I never for it..Thanks to you we still haved it.Jack(longshot11)

[mysongs2]

Thank you Mr Crofford for your songs! I play in a band in CT playing all the old favorites of the era and people still love and appreciate the great songs! God bless. And thanks Kristen for sharing your great grandpa with everyone.

[ozziecx]

So sorry to hear of Cliffs passing. I am with the Highway 13 Band and our drummer, Rick Brennan played for years with Cliff and Billy Mize at the Foothill on Cherry, in Signal Hill, Ca 

[ourdolly2002]

ilove this song iwould likea picture of oldrivers my email addyis ourdolly2002@yahoo.com

[7NTM61Ic]

I have always loved the record, and I will be asking for a copy of that picture (of the actual man Old Rivers, I assume?).

Anyway, I have always wondered how Walter Brennan, who was an actor, came to record a record and release it on the pop charts. Could you enlighten me?

[JoeyPNB]

I used to listed to "Old Rivers" when I was a kid. To this day, I still listen to this album. What a great album. Thise were the days. RIP Cliff and Walter...

[enahsyar]

Kristin - I came across your video by accident, but just loved it. I liked "Old Rivers" the song a lot. But Mr. Crofford mentioned "Send Me Down To Tucson". That was one of two Mel Tillis records we had and I alway loved it. I always thought it was an underpraised song. Thanks for sharing your video.

[molesko1]

I'm an American musician working on a reggae music CD. I remember a number of years ago knowing an old Jamaican i called Old Rasta, a really nice guy who was a country guy at heart. I had hard he passed away some years later. I was thinking of songs to record for a CD I'm trying to do and I thought about Old Rivers. It made me emotional thinking about Old Rasta and connecting through this song. With a little adaptation I'd like to re-record the song. Mr. Crofford, you were an inspirational guy.

[nobuns9]

Please could you still send a picture thank you so much

[MisterCanning]

Hi, Kristin

I've been away from YouTube for over 2 months. I only just now got back. I am so sorry to hear of your great grand-dad's recent passing.

My sincere condolences to you and all of his family and friends.

I am very honoured that I had the opportunity earlier this year to converse with him on YouTube/email with your help.

He will be surely missed.

PS: Old Rivers is without any doubt a much-loved song and cherished by millions of listeners.

[JAYJason6666]

Sorry to hear about mr Croffords passing. Seems like he was a nice man.... I f u could send me an e-mail of ur granddads friend I would appreciate it as well. ..Been a fan of the song for over 35yrs, since I was a child,,,God bless

[MsNBoom]

I heard Old Rivers as a child and loved it, and now I come here often to listen to it again. But not until now did I notice this video with the writer. I was thrilled to hear that Old Rivers was real and I really wanted a picture when he said he would send pictures of Old Rivers to anyone who wanted them!

(continued)

[rebelwithkidz]

I'm cliff Croffords Granddaughter and i will ask my grandma if she can send you one when she is feeling better. She and my grandpa were married 58 years and she is taking his passing very hard.

PM me your address and I'll see what i can do.

[MsNBoom]

(continued)...But then I scrolled down to read these posts, and this time cried over losing the writer instead of crying over the beauty of the song. I wish I could have told him how much I loved the song and would have loved to hear him tell more about Old Rivers.

I am so deeply sorry for the loss of this man and my heart goes out to his family and friends.

He did finally climb that mountain... I'd like to believe that Midnight and Old Rivers greeted him there.

[footfixer1956]

Cliff was a great songwriter ,musician singer , man . We were blessed by having him create all his wonderful music. there is a new angel in heaven now that he is with our lord god bless him

[1930Betty]

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Cliff. The music industry has lost one of the greatest, but we will have his music to remember him by. My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family.  His mother was a freat friend of mine.

[shelbyarrington]

Uncle Cliff we will all miss you so much. Today the world lost a wonderful and kind man and a great singer and songwriter.

Aunt Mackie, we love you!!!!!!

Love you always Jackie, Shelby and Andy Arrington

[bestpriceconst]

Uncle Cliff you will be greatly missed. You will always be in our thoughts and hearts!

Aunt Mackie we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. We love you! Love Jim, Tammy, Missy, Mindy, Jessica, & John

[taymathal]

please keep Cliff in your prayers as he's currently not well...

what a great guy!

he's so modest and kind..it all shows up in the video

[Bluebonnett52]

This song became one of my favorites the first time I heard it. I guess I was about 8 years old.

[hwycoff111]

Terrific video! Thank you for sharing your great grandfather with us.

[taymathal]

I noticed your note below...question...how do we let you know our information for sending the picture to us? Thanks

If you would like a picture of Old Rivers, please send me a message and I'll send it to you. Thank you and we hope you enjoy this video and look forward to other new videos.

[CliffCrofford]

You simply send an email with your email address and we send you the picture via email.

[xlr8dvette]

Cliff Crofford

My name is Greg Crofford and just thought we might be kin. I live in Tulsa, Ok. I would love a pic of old rivers .

[jettpatrick]

omg I'm so glad walter did this song and their always a story behind a song.. It one my favorite song He was s great actor!!!

My two sons are actors and i always have them watch Walter film best to you

[taymathal]

Lots of us Rochester exes are on facebook. Tell your greatgrandaughter to look us up and we can connect.

If you could just send one of us the picture of ole' rivers, we could scan and share on facebook with all the rochester exes on there..thanks

[taymathal]

lots of us who grew up in Rochester are watching your video...some of us still live here...we're searching the rochester history book and can find a story about "H" Breeding...is he Ole' Rivers?

Rochester Homecoming is Oct. 2010...wish you could come..we'd love to visit with you. I've made a video show from pictures I've collected and scanned since I came back to rochester to teach in '73. Would love to send you a DVD of the show.

continued ...

[1930Betty]

Your contributions to country music can never be fully recognized, they are too many, too great. Have been a fan of yours since Town Hall Party and was privileged to be a good friend to your mother. We shared many a good time.

[amadokk]

CMT should do a profile of this true and great American hero for writing this great song and his other fine contributions to Country Music.

[CliffCrofford]

Thank you for your comment, I greatly appreciate it and I too watch CMT.

[auntie55bob]

I'm really glad you didn't connect with Johnny Cash after you wrote that song. Although I'm sure he would have done an excellent job with it, I can't imagine a song and an artist as well suited to one another as Walter Brennan and Old Rivers. I've been listening to your songs for many years but, I just recently found out from Danielle that they were yours. Thanks for lots of good music and good times.

Take good care.

[rubygloom29]

You have a wonderful granddaughter! and we love these old tunes.

[katy980103]

Thanks for sharing!!

[robroy999999]

This song makes me cry

[clwalker2]

A Great story from a Great songwriter, Old Rivers is such a wonderful heart felt song, It seems as if i could look out my back door and see him plowing as i listen to this song.. Bless you Mr. Crofford.

[tenorsaz]

That was pretty cool I love the director!

[MisterCanning]

I had to come back to listen to this fantastic interview one more time.

Excellent!

5 stars from here.

[MisterCanning]

Old Rivers goes down in history as one of the most loved and cherished songs of all time. A great number of people shed a tear or two when they hear it.

A masterpiece written by Mr. Crofford :-)

A superb interview. It should be sent to TV/music industry to be aired on television.

Great job by Kristin making his video.