Billy “Crash” Craddock

 

Billy “Crash” Craddock was born the youngest of 13 children in Greensboro, NC. A good portion of his childhood was spent surrounded by music and love of his family. His father, typical of musicians of his day and time, played harmonica, spoons, washboard and buck danced. His mother and older brothers and sisters regularly sang old gospel standards and folk tunes, harmonizing beautifully amongst themselves. Craddock remembers listening to Little Jimmy Dickens, Lefty Frizzell and Faron Young on the radio, singing as they sang, knowing he would only have to hear a song once or maybe twice before he knew the lyrics and melody by heart. His family was very supportive of his talents and one brother even paid him a nickel for every song he could sing and not miss any words on. But it wasn’t until Elvis Presley stormed into the entertainment field, that a young Billy Craddock thought he, too, might be able to combine his love for music and his need for earning a living.

 

By this time his high school football team had given “Crash” Craddock his unusual nickname, one that would stick on and off the playing field for the rest of his life. Crash got his first recording contract with Colonial Records in Durham, NC shortly after high school and he was on his way.

 

It wasn’t too long until Crash signed with Cartwheel Records and released the fateful record, "Knock Three Times.” That song was to become the first of nine number one singles for Crash and literally paved the way for his phenomenal world-wide success. Other number ones include “Rub It In,” “Ruby Baby,” “Broken Down in Tiny Pieces,” “Easy as Pie,” “Sweet Magnolia Blossom,” “Ain’t Nothin’ Shakin’,” Still Thinkin’ ‘Bout You,” and “Dream Lover.” Additonally, there have been countless top ten charted singles.

 

Billy “Crash” Craddock has achieved every one of his career goals. He has sung on the Grand Old Opry, has donated memorabilia to the Country Music Hall of Fame, has toured to sell-out crowds around the world on numerous occasions, and is able to superbly entertain audiences time and time again.

 

“I have a good time when the audience has a good time,” said Crash of his performances. “I look out at the faces and they entertain me. I get so much more from them that I give. The audience makes my show, not me.” He added that he truly likes meeting people and, over the years, his fans are as close to him as members of his family. Billy “Crash” Craddock is truly a legend. He is a star in every country in the world, one of the most recognized performs on the planet. But the superstar remains the same Billy Craddock who is reminded of his mother every time he hears an old gospel hymn. And that’s the secret to his success. He’s real, he’s talented and he loves people. It shows every time he takes the stage. He’s one of the most dynamic entertainers you will ever see perform on stage!