Pee Wee Crayton

Pee Wee Crayton

Source: Elsewhere

Born Connie Curtis Crayton in Rockdale, Texas, on 18 December 1914, though Pee Wee Crayton was largely a bluesman, he was also among the earliest rockers. He left Texas for Los Angeles in 1935, where he became employed at a shipyard. The rest of the time he honed his skills at guitar, then formed a trio and turned professional about year 1945. Crayton may have first shown up on record per a session in Oakland in 1946 in the band of Ivory Joe Hunter, putting down such as 'Seventh Street Boogie' (Pacific 601) and 'Tavern Swing' (Pacific 609) among others. Several plates followed with Hunter into 1947:

'Heavy Hearted Blues'   Crayton backing Ivory Joe Hunter   Issued 23 Sep 1947

Composition: Ivory Joe Hunter

Crayton had ventured upon a solo career in mid 1947 with 'After Hours Boogie'/'Why Did You Go' (Four Star 1304), not issued until '49. Come sessions in '47 for 'Don't Ever Fall in Love'/'Pee Wee Special' (Gru-V-Tone 217), not issued until '49. 'Blues After Hours' (Pee Wee Crayton) and 'I'm Still in Love with You' (T-Bone Walker) went down in Los Angeles in September 1948 (Modern 20-624). 'Blues After Hours' climbed to Billboard's No. 1 spot in R&B in October that year. His composition, 'Texas Hop', reached No. 5 in December.

'Blues After Hours'   Pee Wee Crayton

Recorded Sep 1948 in Los Angeles   Issued on Modern 20-624 A

Composition: Pee Wee Crayton

'I'm Still In Love With You'   Pee Wee Crayton

Recorded Sep 1948 in Los Angeles   Issued on Modern 20-624 B

Composition: T-Bone Walker

'I Love You So' reached No 13 in July of '49, authored by himself, followed by numerous singles in the fifties before the release of his first LP.

'Change Your Way of Loving'   Pee Wee Crayton

Issued on Modern 20-796 in 1950   Composition: Pee Wee Crayton

'When It Rains It Pours'   Pee Wee Crayton

Issued on Aladdin 3112 A in Dec 1951   Composition: Pee Wee Crayton

'Daybreak'   Pee Wee Crayton

Issued on Aladdin 3112 B in Dec 1951   Composition: Pee Wee Crayton

'Every Dog Has a Day'   Pee Wee Crayton

Issued on Imperial 5288 in 1954   Composition: Dave Bartholomew

'The Telephone Is Ringing' w 'A Frosty Night' (at 2:54)  Pee Wee Crayton

Issued on Vee-Jay 214 A & B in 1954   Compositions: Pee Wee Crayton

He issued his first of several LPs, 'Pee Wee Crayton', in 1960:

'Pee Wee Crayton'   Album   1960

His next LP followed a decade later called 'Things I Used to Do' in 1971:

'Every Night'    Pee Wee Crayton'   Album: 'Things I Used to Do'   1971

Composition: Pee Wee & Esther Rose Crayton

'Things I Used to Do'    Pee Wee Crayton   Album: 'Things I Used to Do'   1971

Composition: Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones

Also highlighting Crayton's latter career were appearances on four Big Joe Turner albums from 1975 to 1978: 'Everyday I Have the Blues', 'Nobody In Mind', 'In the Evening' and 'Have No Fear Joe Turner Is Here'. His recording of 'Stormy Monday' in '74 with Turner didn't show up until 1991 on the album 'Stormy Monday'. Other than Crayton at guitar, members of Turner's band below are Sonny Stitt (sax), J.D. Nicholson (piano), Charles Norris (bass) and Washington Rucker (drums).

'Everyday I Have the Blues'    Pee Wee Crayton' backing Big Joe Turner   Album: 'Everyday I Have the Blues'

Recorded 3 March 1975 in Los Angeles   Issued on Pablo 2310 818 in 1978

Composition: Peter Chatman

Crayton performed throughout much of the States as well as internationally until his death on June 25, 1985, at his home base in Los Angeles. He had recorded 'Early Hours' in December of 1984 toward posthumous issue in 1985.

'Things I Used to Do'    Pee Wee Crayton w 'Eddy Cleanhead Vinson in Japan in Dec 1983

Composition: Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones

'Early Hours'    Pee Wee Crayton   1985

Composition: Esther Rose Crayton

From the compilation 'Early Hour Blues' issued in 1999

Others among numerous titles written by Crayton were 'Blues Before Dawn', 'California Women', 'Dedicated to the Blues' (with Jules Taub), 'Don't Break My Heart', 'I Got News for You', 'Phone Call from My Baby' and 'Win-O', et al.