"When The Folks High Up Do the Mean Low-Down!" Johnny Crawford

From the 1930 United Artists release "Reaching For the Moon," this is an unpublished song by Irving Berlin. In the film it is introduced by Bebe Daniels, then a bigger star than Bing Crosby, who sings the verse and one chorus (then he disappears). The third chorus is sung by singer/comedienne June MacCloy, in her film début. Johnny Crawford comes from a family of professional musicians and was performing from the time he could walk. In 1955 his singing impersonation of Johnnie Ray led to a contract with Disney, where he became one of the original Mouseketeers. As an actor, Johnny Crawford has appeared in over 200 television productions, 15 movies, and 13 plays. He received an Emmy Nomination at the age of 13 for his role as Mark McCain in the very successful series, The Rifleman, now featured every weekday evening on Encore Westerns. Signed by Del-Fi Records in 1961, Johnny had five top 40 hits in the 1960s: Cindy's Birthday, Rumors, Your Nose Is Gonna Grow, Proud, and Patti Ann. Three of his Del-Fi albums are now available on iTunes and Amazon.com. Johnny has long been a fan of dance band records from the first half of the 20th century. After playing guitar and singing songs of that period for more than a decade, Johnny spent two years in New York (1987-1989) as the vocalist in Vince Giordano's Nighthawks Orchestra. With The Nighthawks, Johnny was seen in numerous appearances on the East Coast, including a Garrison Keillor TV Special from Radio City Music Hall, and the George Bush Inaugural Ball of 1989. Now Johnny enjoys singing with his own vintage dance band, while also providing authentic period music for film, special events and education. Since 1990 the Johnny Crawford Orchestra has gathered an enthusiastic following in Southern California from concerts and dances to private parties and corporate events. Performances with his band at the Hollywood Athletic Club (1997-98) are favorably referred to in Elmor Leonard's 1999 novel, Be Cool. In November 1993 he teamed up with pianist Peter Mintun for an engagement at the Cinegrill of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. They appeared together on the Vicki Lawrence Television Show. Video by Michael Dorrough; directed by Roger Robles.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• croon
• tin
• pan
• alley
• Broadway
• Hollywood
• vintage

[mrstrings65]

Johnny sings great,and he is preserving an all but vanished time in musical history with his orchestra,doing authentic arrangements from that era !

[dukesgal39]

Ooooh! My new favorite song .... what a toe tapper! And performed so admirably by Peter and Johnny ..... thank you!

[roseartlefty]

I had the "Hugest" crush on Johnny during the Rifleman series. I bought his albums also. And at the time, I had a Quarter horse, so did Johnny. I wrote him about my "Spirit." He REPLIED with a postcard explaining that he named his horse "Two Bits" because it was a Quarter horse! LOL What a THRILL to get a PERSONAL card from my Johnny!

Nice music Johnny! Your voice hasn't changed one bit!

[CBSEye]

Isn't he great, folks! "Pa" would be so proud.

[HargroveFilms1]

Absolutely Great!!!!!!! So admirable for Johnny to keep alive the wonderful music of this era.

[1915fas]

Hopefully all of this will be preserved and will inspire new generations to keep this musical idiom alive in the new millenium.

[vrobbie53]

Great rendition!

[APyleOfVinyl]

Oh wow! I am amazed that someone covered this obscure song! This is a brilliant song and a GREAT movie! 

[brookeincalifornia]

Can't wait to see you at the Cicada Club in August!! :o)

[HargroveFilms1]

Love this era of music.  Johnny has it down perfect.

[ChristophePhilippe]

This guy is pretty good. It's not easy to get right that phrasing that's jazzy but sounds laid back.