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THE CHARLOTTE POST*****
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_Thursday, March 7. 1985 - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Page IB
Rat_Jy Crawford Has Achieved Acclaim In States, Abroad
by Loretta Man ago
Pott Staff Writer
While Randy Crawford has made a name
for herself in the entertainment industry of
America, it ia in Europe where she has
achieved her most fame.
On the European continent, particularly
in Britain, Mias Crawford has been a
favorite of music lovers for years. Recently,
she was honored with the British
Phonographic Award, an equivalent of the
Grammy award and the London, Times
dupped her “the most gifted soul singer to
appear in many years. In her United
Kingdom performances as well as those in
France, Germany and the Benelux coun
tries, her concerts are consistently sell outs.
From continent to continent Randy
Crawford proves herself to be an artist for
all seasons. As much as the fans adore her
distinct vocal style, so ia it also shared by
music makers. Crusader, Wei ton Felder
ranks her in the same league as Billy Holli
day and Rand Dinah Washington. Miss
Crawford’s association with the famous
Crusaders resulted in the crossover smash,
“Street life.”
Like moet black entertainers Randy
Crawford came from a musical family. Both
her parents sang in the church and from
that institution's rich historical roots was
where Mias Crawford got her start. Even at
an early age Mias Crawford was singing the
lead in the congregational choir.
Miss Crawford’s musical talent was soon
to spread beyond the confines of the
church's walls. And, at the age of 15 she
began working in local dabs. Her first gig
was at Playboy's Bar in Cincinnati, Ohio,
where her family lived and members of her
band included Bootsy Collins and his
brother Phelps.
As time passed and Miss Crawford grew
in experience she later joined a local jam
trio. With this group Mbs Crawford was to
learn more than notes and lyrics. At the en
couragement of the pianist who played in
the jam trio, Mias Crawford began to study
piano and acquire some basic musical
knowledge.
While Mbs Crawford was learning the
fundamentals of her craft, aha was still
making a Bring by playing iq a club io St.
Tropes in Southern France. Shortly after
her return to Cincinnati, Mias Crawford
was working on a local television show spot
ted by a taiant scout and recommended to s
major Los Angeles booking agency.
Although Mbs Crawford was quits
known throughout Cincinnati, it was time
that the country was introduced to this
woman of incredible talent. In 1972, Randy
Crawford pcrfotmad for the first time in
New York when (die shared the MU at p
month long stand with jams guitarist
vocalist George Benson.
y-®!J8LStri4y'-' /R *> <•
RANDY CRAWFORD
.Internationally famous
Mia* Crawford later nettled in Loa
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Angeles and thus began the rounds of ses
sion work, songwriting demos and occa
sional club dates. And when it seemed like it
would never happen, she got her first big
break.
The year was 1975 and the event was the
World Jazz Association's first gala concert.
The event touted such renowns as Quincv
Jones, Stan Getz, Jimmy Smith, Bob James
and George Benson. Among all those big
names was the name of one person who was
virtually unknown. “That was Randy
Crawford. Her performance at that concert
led one man to offer her a recording con
tract. Bob Krasnow, vice president of talent
at Warner Bros, was so impressed by what
he heard that he went backstage to offer
Miss Crawford a chance to launch her sing
ing career, nationwide and later,
throughout the world.
Her first Ip for Warner Bros.,
“Everything Must Change, ” 'included two
live tracks of material from Cannonball Ad
derly's "Big Man" album. A year later she
released "Miss Randy Crawford," reveal
ing a decidedly less jazzy side of her reper
toire. With her third release, “Raw Silk."
there was a distinct change of pace from the
prevailing disco trends of that year and it
brought her a great deal of critical atten
tion. “Now We May Begin,” Miss
Crawford's fourth album was produced by
the Crusaders and featured the interna
tional hit, “One Day I’ll Fly Away.” But it
is her latest production which has been call
ed “the most exciting, intriguing and wholly
satisfying album in her musical career."
“Nightline" contains the music of that
special singer that lingers long after the nee
dle has left the groove.
Young Democrats
The North Carolina Young
Democrats' State Convention will be
held March 22-23 at the Winston
Salem Plaza in Winston-Salem. Ac
tivities begin Friday night, with the
Mecklenburg County Young
Democrats hosting a Mexican
Festival. Electiqns and other state
business will be conducted Saturday
morning. A banquet will be held
Saturday evening. Banquet tickets
are $18.00 and may be purchased
from any board member. A fleet of
YDMC cars will be leaving Charlotte
on Friday evening and again on
Saturday morning. For more infor
mation, call Lecil Henderson at
847-2483.
Other YDMC activities coming up
this month include a general meeting
on the 19th at 7:30 p.m. at the
downtown public library (election of
board members and presentation by
Ed Turlington, State Executive
Director).