Aimee, In the late nineteen sixties I played a lot of record dates, I was a bass player, with Floyd Cramer and came to know Don Robertson. Don was a great L.A. writer who also sent songs to Chet from time to time. One night a few years after Hank Locklin's hit record, Don came to a session I was doing for Chet, on a break between songs, Don told me about making a demo of his song "Please Help Me I'm Falling" and he played a style on that of piano hoping Chet would have the steel player convert the part. Chet played Don's demo to Floyd they decided to have Floyd keep it on piano . . the record was a hit and a new style was born. I love your web site!!!!
Oh man! That adds such a nice little twist to what I had talked about with Don and Floyd and Chet!! Thanks so much for sharing that inside info, and for watching my video!
I was born in 68. Floyd Cramer was big in our household. I knew he played on a lot of big albums as a studio musician. He was the sound in Nashville on the piano.
My older brother (r.i.p.), was a great pianist. Took lessons, but had the most incredible ear. He taught himself how to play, Kramer, gospel, and yes, even Elton. He had Kramer down cold! Thanks for sharing this Aimee!
I spent some time in Nashville back in the 80's and had the great pleasure of hearing scores of great stories from and about numerous country greats. One such tale was about famed producer Larry Butler, whose first job upon arriving in town was running a demo session for a publishing company. Anxious to impress his boss with his knowledge of what was hip, he pressed the studio talkback button and addressed the pianist. "Gimme some Floyd Cramer licks in the intro. Can you do that?" "I guess so," said the pianist. "I AM Floyd Cramer."
Yeah, this comment tops them all. Hysterical story. I learned about this technique being called “Floyd licks” and was taught about Floyd Cramer in that transition. Often players specializing in one genre can be somewhat clueless about the whole universe of influences, inspirations, and cross-pollinations. I love learning about the true roots of this miraculous thing we call music.
I'm gonna share my story about how Iearned the Floyd Cramer style. It was after Marty Robbins died, and the story was on the evening news. They showed a clip of him singing El Paso, with those cowboy harmonies in the background and I thought, why don't I hear songs like that on my radio station? So I switched to CKRC, the local country station, and the announcer was saying, "Stay tuned this weekend for the TOP 500 COUNTRY SONGS OF ALL TIME!" I figured this was the perfect chance to get my country education, so I tuned in. And every 20 minutes or so there would be a break, a piano would go "glung, glung....glung glung" and they would say, "You're listening to the top 500 country songs of all time". But that little piano break was Floyd Cramer playing Cool Clear Water. It was about three weeks later that it hit me all of a sudden: I think I knew how he was doing it! So I went to a piano and tried it out...I was right! rolling into the melody from a whole tone below, with the fifth of the scale above as a pedal point. Played the whole song right through almost without mistakes. And that's my story. Yes of course I already knew how to play piano...I just never did the Floyd thing until that moment. Been going to town with it ever since.
Excellent video! Thank you, Ms Nolte! I was 17 when "Last Date" first aired here in NYC, and I loved it ever since. I love Floyd Cramer's music and accompaniments, especially Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams."
Your video brought sentimental tears to my eyes. I was born in Texas in the 40s. My dad loved Floyd Kramer, Patsy Kline, etc San Antonio Rose was a favorite and we lived for a time in San Antonio. Dad and Mom gave me piano lessons with my neighbor a professional pianist and organist. I think Floyd Kramer ( and others) planted that love of Western music I still recall juke box music and sawdust on the dance floors. Even children danced to Floyd Kramer. Thank you a thousand times!
I was 8. My dad was the A&R manager for a record label in South Africa. Jim Reeves, Chet Atkins, Floyd Kramer toured and I spent best part of 2 weeks travelling with them (road plane,) with my dad taking them to game parks, and visiting the venues before they performed. His piano style convinced me to play the piano which I then started a year or to later. I have his autograph somewhere. He was also a nice man and he used to chat to this starstruck kid too
@@AimeeNolte in those days when the country/South Africa was segregated and practice apart-hate ... kudos to those Southern artists. I bet no black Africans were allowed into their concerts ... and there goes the theory that music is universal!
Girl, you've taken me on a bit of a nostalgic trip with some of this music. It has made me remember times so long gone thank you. Nice presentation / lecture.
Thank you for this. Floyd Cramer was my idol in the 60's. I would go into our major music store in Perth, Western Australia, and ask to listen to his latest LP, and I always left with it tucked under my arm. I tried to emulate his style and still use elements of it today ... I am about to turn 76. He did so much more than I thought he did. Once again, thank you.
When I was a kid in the 60s my parents had lots of Floyd Cramer albums. I loved listening to his renditions of popular songs. When I was ten, I told my parents that I wanted to take piano lessons because I wanted to play like Floyd Cramer. It's very likely that without his influence I never would have taken piano lessons and would not be playing today. Thanks Floyd!
I remember that piano style from my childhood in Brooklyn, New York. I remember Floyd's name but didn't know much about him. I'm now 73 years old and thank you so much for this nostalgic and very informative post 👍🏾🎶
My grandfather would always play this song when we visited my grandparents back in the early 70's and referred to it as 'Papa's Music'... Great memories...
Seeing Jimmy Dean(Big John) hosting a show featuring Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph and Floyd Kramer? Priceless. Three recording giants of the Nashville RCA Studio in that era. Notice the 'doubled' Bass at 10:33. That also was a common arrangement of the 'Wrecking Crew'. And I still enjoy Jimmy's sausage and the Benny Hill theme. The quotes, stills, and archived videos are wonderful. Exceptionally well done profile.
I was fortunate to see Cramer, Atkins, and Randolph three times as theu did benefits for East Tennessee State University Music Department in Johnson City, Tennessee. This was, I believe, in the early 80s. Thank you so much for broadening my knowledge and love of my favorite pianist.
I remember those commercials for his albums. Growing up in North Carolina, I heard his music and the artists he played with.The clip of him playing for MJ's mother is cool 😎. I'm glad I found your video, it's great.
In 8th grade, I took an elective class called Communications. In one module, we got to role play as DJs, and we had to bring in records of two songs. I had no allowance or job, so no music of my own, instead bringing a couple of my parents' Floyd Cramer records, which I loved, by the way. They were not well received by my classmates for some reason. This was little more than a decade after the release of Cramer's Last Dance. There is no accounting for taste, or lack thereof.
I'm 77 and grew up listening to all of this and I've been a gigging keyboard player since 1965. I learned Last Date on accordion in high school when I heard it on the radio. My grandmother had the album and I learned it by ear because there was no sheet music for it yet. Later on I also learned Crazy and that intro is not easy to play clean and in time to bring in the vocal. So smooth, tasty, perfect. It really is a musical work of art and I consider that one of the greatest piano intros ever. I still use those Floyd licks to this day on stage keyboards doing classic rock, jazz, blues, no more accordion. Like you said good younger players may not know his name but they'll know the licks and style and if some don't then they need to watch this vid and start picking it up.
I’ve been playing piano a long time and this is the first time I’ve heard about “slip note”. And I do it all the time. Amazing how much there is to learn. Thank you for this!
I am 86 and a lifelong steel guitar player. This is a wonderfully done article. Let me give you a bit of pre history. Floyd and steel player Jimmy Day played together on the Louisianna Hayride together when slip note pedal steel was in its infancy, so Floyd understood the principle first hand. They came to Nashville together. I believe the first time the Floyd Cramer style was heard was on Hank Locklin's "Please Help Me I'm Falling".
Thanks for shedding a spotlight on Floyd Cramer . His slip note style is so distinctive and defined country music for many years. I’m a big fan and I love to play it.
Aimee, fascinating video. I had no idea who invented that style. When you mention Dr John as another iconic stylist, I would have to add Ray Charles to the list. Ray and Floyd were surely aware of each other. Ray had country influences too, but much deeper into gospel and blues.
Well presented and very informative was a fan of Floyd Cramer but you opened up a lot more than i new,much appreciated regards from Scotland 💙🏴🇬🇧🙏
Aimee thank you for sharing this. My Dad listened to Floyd all the time. As soon as you played the first notes, I screamed to my wife, “ooh Floyd Kramer babe!!”. Your a blessing Aimee and a great pianist.
I had heard of Floyd Cramer, but only knew he was a country music artist. So, thank you so much for this video and introducing him to me. I’m 74 years old and I’m not surprised by many TH-cam videos, but this one blew me away. Thanks again.
I was just watching Keith Emerson's interview on the Oscar Peterson show from 1976, and he said Floyd was the first pianist he was influenced by. My God, what an amazing player!
This video is extremely impressive from a construction point of view. LOTS of examples all tied together in a well thought out interplay that a music historian would be thrilled to death to watch. There should be an award for this type of quality.
When I first saw the posting on main TH-cam page, with the shadow of a man and no name, I knew immediately who your were talking about. Cramer is the guy who inspired me to want to play the piano some 50 years ago Loved his playing then, love it now. Plus it was my privilege to see the big 3 -- Atkins, Cramer and Randolph in concert in Lubbock, Texas back in the mid-60's. Great presentation, you certainly did your homework. I enjoyed it.
I fell in love with Floyd's song On the Rebound as a little kid, I had the seven single and couldn't stop listening to it. Then I started noticing his style popping up everywhere. Many years later I played in a band with a pianist who slipped notes into rock n roll tunes and I would shape my guitar parts around that, it gave our band a unique sound that made us stand out. I can't really play piano but when I want that sound and I say to a pianist to give me the Floyd lick they often don't know what I mean, until I demonstrate it to them with my basic version. It's definitely part of my guitar style, both semitone (more blues/rockabilly sound) and wholetone slips (for a more country/soul sound). Floyd was the man, what a legacy
I am totally speechless. This is the most moving and inspirational video I have ever watched. The compilation of musicians using Floyd’s style actually brought me to tears! YOU have truly created a masterpiece and because of that I will never forget your name also.
I had no idea this style of playing is called 'slip note' until you enlightened me. I am a great admirer of Chet Atkins ever since I was in my early teen, (now 78).It is because of Chet I learnt to play the guitar. I generally play the lead guitar and copy this technique, so now I know who pioneered this style. Floyd & Chet, what a pair of great musicians. God Bless them both. You explained everything so beautifully. Thank you for making my day ❤
A beautiful, rich tribute, brilliantly researched, & pulling together many profound influences that went in so many directions. Makes me think of the beautiful simple piano solo on the Emmylou Harris studio recording of Buck Owens' "Together Again" (played, I think, by Glen Hardin). I love that Hendrix credited Kramer (as well as the great Curtis Mayfield)! Bruce Hornsby did a very distinctive thing with that influence, extending the slip-note in time. Love his work. It would be interesting to look at classical piano with these things in mind...
Thanks for closing a knowledge gap for me! I took piano lessons for several years as a kid, not because my parents coerced me, but because I asked. You see, I've always loved the piano. And classical music. Then in college in the late 1960's (in the science & engineering track, not music), there was a piano in the lobby of our dorm, and Ken, one of the other residents, showed me a few things, including _The Maple Leaf Rag,_ and two Floyd Cramer songs: _The Last Date,_ and _On the Rebound._ These were about the most fun to play of anything I knew. Mostly because of that "slip note" technique you mention. Incidentally, at this time I was just learning guitar, and that technique on a keyboard reminds me strongly of the "hammer-on" technique on the guitar. But not having followed popular or country music at the time Floyd was popular, I had no idea of the connections you reveal here. So thanks! Fred EDIT: Now having watched the rest of the video, I see you make that "hammer-on" comparison, too!
😢 hello Miss Amy Nolte. My name is Walter Mills aka the left-handed bloke. In the sixties I remember hearing this song on AM radio back then I would go to four different channels to try and capture the emotion coming through whatever speaker I was able to speaker glue my ears to. I have watched a few videos but today I subscribed I'm a guitar player / bass hopefully one day learn to play my banjo. But you touched me today where I actually had tears. Your sincerity, your honesty from your inner self totally cloaked me with joy. One of the reasons I watch this program's I saw my hero Jimi hendrix's photo. Yes the example songs that you played. I also hear him using the slip no technique in the solo The Wind Cries Mary. I don't have a keyboard at this time I lost the one I had. I'm thinking about taking your course down the road.. oh my gosh you are definitely a deep influence on me and I'm going to go to your Channel on nebula. Thank you so much I deeply appreciate your approach and how you want to share your gift with others who worked on that road of expressing their art and inner voice. May you your family and friends all be safe and may the year yield health and prosperity to you . Sincerely Walter the left-handed bloke
What a sweet lefty you are! Thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m so glad you liked the video and I hope you enjoyed nebula. Thank you so much for signing up and let me know if you need any help with it here in the comments somewhere
@@AimeeNolte you are quite welcome. I'm a huge Hendrix fan. But I'm also a person who does not believe in competitive pole statements such as the greatest , the best in the world. No to me music is a gigantic canvas and every artist approaches that canvas and paints his or her beautiful images of their portrait Express from their inner being of creativity. We are surrounded several artists whether they be professional or novelist. Sly Stone said everybody is a star. Wow thank you for getting back to me you are definitely super I have to make my mind over in my budget if I'm going to deal with nebula thanks again for your encouraging response . Sincerely Walter the left-handed bloke 😀
I'm a Nashville based piano player. You really did a great job on this video. Very authentic. I thought everyone knew about Floyd! I need to get out more. I did not know Chet had encouraged Floyd to write something like Last Date. I'll have to find it, but I believe Hank Jones even played some very blatant Floyd licks in the some old jazz standard. He's everywhere. I've been working for 30 years out of Nashville for country artists people would know and it's probably mostly due to learning what Floyd did with harmonizing a melody. And yes, it does feel great on the hands. Thank you for the video.
Thanks so much for that Scott! I’d love to spend some time in Nashville, because I think it would be really eye-opening in a lot of ways. The number system alone!
If you do come to Nashville I'd recommend Broadway for live music, there's a newer area called 12 South near Belmont that's got some cool places to eat and shop and there is a place called The Nashville Jazz Workshop that has some great music and great people. The people that run it are Lori Mechem (my old piano teacher) and her husband Roger Spencer. He plays bass. Great musicians. I'm really digging your videos. Keep it up!
One of our greatest pop composers Jimmy Webb has an LP out called "SlipCover" that is dedicated to the Nashville piano sound developed by Floyd Cramer. Billy Joel also incorporates the Cramer technique in many., many of his piano songs. Thanks Aimee!!!
I knew it was Floyd Cramer from the title and watched to confirm. I wasn't much into country music way back when but Floyd's playing was just so prominent and inescapable in the sixties. I remember reading about his playing in Keyboard magazine and always remember how he developed a technique to emulate steel guitar. There are few pianists who impacted their music genre to the extent he did. Without a doubt a music genius....and I actually think his playing transcends genres....any pianist can gain something studying his style. Nice video.
I remember those ads! Definitely thought it was dated as a kid but damn, I realize he played on so many songs I loved. But in his own words, mostly whole tones? Super interesting.
Thank you for this. I knew who the subject must be from the opening. As a kid I heard a lot of country on tv; I didn't like country (for association reasons that had nothing to do with country music) but I often heard a little sound on those songs - i fought to find out who was playing that sound and got the name Floyd Cramer. I never forgot his name or sound, didnt know it was called a slip note, in my mind it was called the Cramer note. Im glad he is still recognized. There was no reason for a kid watching tv hearing music he was not a fan of to sit up and focus on a 'note' that "slipped" by so quickly but that was Cramer's genius.( I think it was teaching himself by doing it by ear is exactly what allowed him to imitate what he was hearing on guitar. )That is my humble tribute to him, but as I am always talking about music, I often hip my associates to this man's name. Seeing you play it, Im going to continue paying tribute but now with my fingers lol. Thank you again.
I've been following you for years. This is one of your best!I love the fact that you were able to shine a light, and your viewers are now enlightened. Based on the comments above, there are a lot of Floyd enthusiasts.
Oh, let’s not forget Leon Russell, who was also a huge influence on Elton John. It’s like a pantheon of greats, and now, even though I knew about ‘Floyd licks’ and their connection to Floyd Cramer, I get that Floyd is part of the piano/keyboard ‘godhead’ with various other undisputed greats. So cool. Thanks, Aimee!! Really excellent content!! Cheers!!
I had heard about the legendary Floyd Cramer, but this video really nailed the whole story and fleshed out the reality of this remarkable and active pianist from the Nashville world. Truly excellent musician biography and documentary work. All of us are grateful to have seen this video. I'm a trombonist, but like many musicians also play arranger style piano and my son is pretty serious about developing his piano chops. I'll recommend this video to him.
Like so many, I've heard Floyd Kramer's distinctive and beautiful way of playing countless times, without knowing his name or the name of his piano playing style. His influential and soulful way of playing can be heard everywhere. Thank you Aimee for making such a wonderful video, and shining a well deserved light on the history and contributions of a great musician. It was an absolute delight to watch this video. It must have taken quite a lot of time to make, but it was surely worth it. I hope you make more videos like this, as your presentation, content, and explanation was superb. 👏👍😎
Well Done Aimee. This is my favorite video you have created here: history, influential people, people influenced by a pioneer, well researched topic. A perfect video. And you give a great intro for NEBULA, I'm glad to leave TH-cam, and you give a perfect reason why to move over there. Thank you for saying the better reasons to join Nebula, if for nothing else than to help the video-creators to bring us great topics! Cheers, Don.
There's a lot of his style in Fats Domino's playing too, Billy Joel... Like so many. Great video! You bring back some classic memories I have forgotten about. Thank you ❤ Please do more of these 🙏
I've heard of him !!! Since I first listened to That Tune at a little country smorgasbord restaurant on Sunday mornings, I've loved Floyd Cramer. His touch was magical, his style so unique. Gracias, Ms. Nolte for recognizing such a towering, yet forgotten figure in American Music of the 20th Century.
Been playing all my life, basically that style, which works well in rock too, especially scaling relative majors in minor key songs. Thank you for doing a video on one of the true piano greats! Hard to find good material like this. Thanks again.
I knew who you were talking about before i ever clicked on the video. Floyd was the best in the biz. A technique, a style, . Immediately identifiable. The best. Great video!!!
What a great history lesson! Thanks so much. I found Jason Coleman a while back and went down the Floyd Cramer rabbit hole. Now that you mention it, I do remember those eighties commercials!
What a wonderful deep dive and tribute to one of my favorite pianists! ❤️ A story (possibly apocryphal) I heard from back at my days in the Commercial Music Department at South Plains College, was that Floyd developed his famous slip-key style of playing during a recording session with Chet Atkins. The story goes that, after several unsuccessful takes, an exasperated Floyd asked Chet what he wanted. Chet told Floyd to, “Play your piano like a pedal steel guitar,” and the rest, as they say, was history.
Wonderful, I just learned so much. I had fun guessing from the title who this was going to be about (I got it right). You're spot-on that I first learned his name from those old TV commercials, and then I started picking him out on Elvis records and elsewhere. But I had no idea that was him on "End of the World", and I've been on a bit of a Skeeter Davis kick lately (possibly thanks to your recent Carole King tribute). The stretch from 15:10 to 16:56 is utterly amazing, and a series of revelations. The work and research here couldn't be more impressive.
Not that I would call myself even a muso, but I instantly recognised his sound & had never heard of him. Wonderful presentation thanks :) Wishing health & happiness to you & yours in 24 & beyond :)
Mad this up for my Mother Lorraine Thompson Barclay Country music writer performer . But I'm convinced it's a Floyd Crammer song . But I don't know what it is . Help please ? Listen to "Lorraine's Favorite Song" Recording2017 - 10 - 15 - 14 - 24 - 28 by Allen Barclay Allen on #SoundCloud soundcloud.com/allen-barclay-allen/lorraines-favorite-song-recording2017-10-15-14-24-28?ref=clipboard&p=a&c=1&si=3f6a384c6371440991c1bf355689e402&
Wow, I didn't know who he was, but I sure knew that sound from hearing Elvis , Dolly P and Linda R Now I'm going to learn his technique too. Its great to be versatile. I enjoy twenty different genres of music. I always have and always will. Ty Aimee for sharing you skills with us. PS, Libras are the best!
I have to say this is one of the best TH-cam videos I have ever watched. Thank you for this great piece putting these historical artists together linked by Floyd Cramer.
YES MA'AM I KNEW IT WAS HIM!!!! FC undoubtedly influenced many country and country blues musicians in the first place. You can hear his touch in Dolly Parton, too, and also Norah Jones often adds those slip notes as embellishments in her songs. Thanks a lot for talking about Floyd Cramer, who happens to be one of my most inspirational musicians! ❤️❤️
Spot on. Lots of people consider Norah Jones "jazz" but she was clear about her country influences. Her first album had one or two Hank Williams songs. Of course she owes something to Floyd Kramer.
I must have been about 12 years old when I began hearing Last Date on my AM radio, probably every day, and I remember being especially drawn to it, more so than most other things I heard on the radio. I was so impressed by the sweetness and beauty of the recording that I made sure to find out and remember the name of the performer. Thanks to Aimee for reminding me.
Anytime Floyd wasn’t available in the 90’s my grandfather would be asked to sub for him. There were a few Chet Atkins events where he would fill in for Floyd. He really admired Floyd
What a wonderful video and beautiful tribute! How have I been alive 53 years and never heard of Floyd Cramer until just now(although in my defense, I'm a guitarist, but still)?! It's such an iconic style that even before you got to the sample songs, I immediately thought of 'Behind Closed Doors': an iconic style within an iconic start within an iconic song. It's so lovely of you Amy to share this with us. And as an added bonus, how cool and humble for Cramer to give a shout out to a female musician instead of just taking all the credit for himself!
Pig Robbins played the intro to Behind Closed Doors and got his start in Nashville when Kramer had the big hit with Last Date and went on the road . Robbins credits his style to Kramer , I saw a Joe Chambers A team interview where he said that he came to Nashville playing like Jerry Lee and Owen Bradley told him to kill the left had ' I got a bass player ... ' and not to play so many notes with his right ... ' Just tinkle around the high notes some ... ' Pig and Joe have both passed recently , but his Nashville Musician's Hall of Fame interviews are worth seeking out if you want to know more about Floyd and Pig
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This music is like seeing an old friend again.
Aimee, In the late nineteen sixties I played a lot of record dates, I was a bass player, with Floyd Cramer and came to know Don Robertson. Don was a great L.A. writer who also sent songs to Chet from time to time. One night a few years after Hank Locklin's hit record, Don came to a session I was doing for Chet, on a break between songs, Don told me about making a demo of his song "Please Help Me I'm Falling" and he played a style on that of piano hoping Chet would have the steel player convert the part. Chet played Don's demo to Floyd they decided to have Floyd keep it on piano . . the record was a hit and a new style was born. I love your web site!!!!
Oh man! That adds such a nice little twist to what I had talked about with Don and Floyd and Chet!! Thanks so much for sharing that inside info, and for watching my video!
Thank you for wonderful music 🎼🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
I was born in 68. Floyd Cramer was big in our household. I knew he played on a lot of big albums as a studio musician. He was the sound in Nashville on the piano.
Charlie Rich had that hit “Behind Closed Doors” which sounds so much like him.
My older brother (r.i.p.), was a great pianist. Took lessons, but had the most incredible ear. He taught himself how to play, Kramer, gospel, and yes, even Elton. He had Kramer down cold! Thanks for sharing this Aimee!
I spent some time in Nashville back in the 80's and had the great pleasure of hearing scores of great stories from and about numerous country greats. One such tale was about famed producer Larry Butler, whose first job upon arriving in town was running a demo session for a publishing company. Anxious to impress his boss with his knowledge of what was hip, he pressed the studio talkback button and addressed the pianist. "Gimme some Floyd Cramer licks in the intro. Can you do that?" "I guess so," said the pianist. "I AM Floyd Cramer."
Yeah, this comment tops them all. Hysterical story. I learned about this technique being called “Floyd licks” and was taught about Floyd Cramer in that transition. Often players specializing in one genre can be somewhat clueless about the whole universe of influences, inspirations, and cross-pollinations. I love learning about the true roots of this miraculous thing we call music.
I'm gonna share my story about how Iearned the Floyd Cramer style. It was after Marty Robbins died, and the story was on the evening news. They showed a clip of him singing El Paso, with those cowboy harmonies in the background and I thought, why don't I hear songs like that on my radio station? So I switched to CKRC, the local country station, and the announcer was saying, "Stay tuned this weekend for the TOP 500 COUNTRY SONGS OF ALL TIME!"
I figured this was the perfect chance to get my country education, so I tuned in. And every 20 minutes or so there would be a break, a piano would go "glung, glung....glung glung" and they would say, "You're listening to the top 500 country songs of all time". But that little piano break was Floyd Cramer playing Cool Clear Water.
It was about three weeks later that it hit me all of a sudden: I think I knew how he was doing it! So I went to a piano and tried it out...I was right! rolling into the melody from a whole tone below, with the fifth of the scale above as a pedal point. Played the whole song right through almost without mistakes.
And that's my story. Yes of course I already knew how to play piano...I just never did the Floyd thing until that moment. Been going to town with it ever since.
That Song by That Man. My favorite pop piano piece of all time. His style was completely unique.
I love your piano skills but I equally love your storytelling skills.
Excellent video! Thank you, Ms Nolte!
I was 17 when "Last Date" first aired here in NYC, and I loved it ever since. I love Floyd Cramer's music and accompaniments, especially Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams."
You did a great job here. Floyd Cramer was an excellent musician and I'm glad he's being remembered this way.
Your video brought sentimental tears to my eyes.
I was born in Texas in the 40s. My dad loved Floyd Kramer, Patsy Kline, etc San Antonio Rose was a favorite and we lived for a time in San Antonio.
Dad and Mom gave me piano lessons with my neighbor a professional pianist and organist. I think Floyd Kramer ( and others) planted that love of Western music I still recall juke box music and sawdust on the dance floors. Even children danced to Floyd Kramer.
Thank you a thousand times!
I was 8. My dad was the A&R manager for a record label in South Africa. Jim Reeves, Chet Atkins, Floyd Kramer toured and I spent best part of 2 weeks travelling with them (road plane,) with my dad taking them to game parks, and visiting the venues before they performed. His piano style convinced me to play the piano which I then started a year or to later. I have his autograph somewhere. He was also a nice man and he used to chat to this starstruck kid too
Oh thanks so much for sharing!!
@@AimeeNolte in those days when the country/South Africa was segregated and practice apart-hate ... kudos to those Southern artists. I bet no black Africans were allowed into their concerts ... and there goes the theory that music is universal!
Girl, you've taken me on a bit of a nostalgic trip with some of this music. It has made me remember times so long gone thank you. Nice presentation / lecture.
Thank you for this. Floyd Cramer was my idol in the 60's. I would go into our major music store in Perth, Western Australia, and ask to listen to his latest LP, and I always left with it tucked under my arm. I tried to emulate his style and still use elements of it today ... I am about to turn 76. He did so much more than I thought he did. Once again, thank you.
When I was a kid in the 60s my parents had lots of Floyd Cramer albums. I loved listening to his renditions of popular songs. When I was ten, I told my parents that I wanted to take piano lessons because I wanted to play like Floyd Cramer. It's very likely that without his influence I never would have taken piano lessons and would not be playing today. Thanks Floyd!
definitely no jimi Hendrix no where in his music, great click bait though.
@@averychilco There's no Jimi in Floyd's music maybe but there's definitely Floyd in Jimi's music
I don’t do Clickbait. If you watch the video, you would see that Jimi said he was influenced by Floyd.
Go listen to Wind Cries Mary...
@@averychilcogo listen to Wind Cries Mary...
I remember that piano style from my childhood in Brooklyn, New York. I remember Floyd's name but didn't know much about him. I'm now 73 years old and thank you so much for this nostalgic and very informative post 👍🏾🎶
My grandfather would always play this song when we visited my grandparents back in the early 70's and referred to it as 'Papa's Music'...
Great memories...
56 years old and I've never known any of this! Love learning new things! Thanks, Aimee.
Seeing Jimmy Dean(Big John) hosting a show featuring Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph and Floyd Kramer? Priceless. Three recording giants of the Nashville RCA Studio in that era. Notice the 'doubled' Bass at 10:33. That also was a common arrangement of the 'Wrecking Crew'. And I still enjoy Jimmy's sausage and the Benny Hill theme. The quotes, stills, and archived videos are wonderful. Exceptionally well done profile.
I was fortunate to see Cramer, Atkins, and Randolph three times as theu did benefits for East Tennessee State University Music Department in Johnson City, Tennessee. This was, I believe, in the early 80s. Thank you so much for broadening my knowledge and love of my favorite pianist.
I remember those commercials for his albums. Growing up in North Carolina, I heard his music and the artists he played with.The clip of him playing for MJ's mother is cool 😎. I'm glad I found your video, it's great.
In 8th grade, I took an elective class called Communications. In one module, we got to role play as DJs, and we had to bring in records of two songs. I had no allowance or job, so no music of my own, instead bringing a couple of my parents' Floyd Cramer records, which I loved, by the way. They were not well received by my classmates for some reason. This was little more than a decade after the release of Cramer's Last Dance. There is no accounting for taste, or lack thereof.
Kids are dumb
My frustration as well.
Having worked in county radio in the 80s I can confirm that last dance is one of the most beloved songs ever
I'm 77 and grew up listening to all of this and I've been a gigging keyboard player since 1965. I learned Last Date on accordion in high school when I heard it on the radio. My grandmother had the album and I learned it by ear because there was no sheet music for it yet. Later on I also learned Crazy and that intro is not easy to play clean and in time to bring in the vocal. So smooth, tasty, perfect. It really is a musical work of art and I consider that one of the greatest piano intros ever. I still use those Floyd licks to this day on stage keyboards doing classic rock, jazz, blues, no more accordion. Like you said good younger players may not know his name but they'll know the licks and style and if some don't then they need to watch this vid and start picking it up.
Very educational video. I knew it was Floyd Kramer from the title :-)
I knew who the video was about from the title. However, with your first few keystrokes, I was put back in my childhood living room with my Father.
I've loved Floyd's sound since childhood: so grateful for Aimee providing this background.
I’ve been playing piano a long time and this is the first time I’ve heard about “slip note”. And I do it all the time. Amazing how much there is to learn. Thank you for this!
My mom loved Floyd Cramer. I've been working out Last Date on guitar. That song reminds me of my youth and her.
I am 86 and a lifelong steel guitar player. This is a wonderfully done article. Let me give you a bit of pre history. Floyd and steel player Jimmy Day played together on the Louisianna Hayride together when slip note pedal steel was in its infancy, so Floyd understood the principle first hand. They came to Nashville together. I believe the first time the Floyd Cramer style was heard was on Hank Locklin's "Please Help Me I'm Falling".
Thanks for shedding a spotlight on Floyd Cramer . His slip note style is so distinctive and defined country music for many years. I’m a big fan and I love to play it.
Aimee, fascinating video. I had no idea who invented that style. When you mention Dr John as another iconic stylist, I would have to add Ray Charles to the list. Ray and Floyd were surely aware of each other. Ray had country influences too, but much deeper into gospel and blues.
Well presented and very informative was a fan of Floyd Cramer but you opened up a lot more than i new,much appreciated regards from Scotland 💙🏴🇬🇧🙏
Aimee thank you for sharing this. My Dad listened to Floyd all the time. As soon as you played the first notes, I screamed to my wife, “ooh Floyd Kramer babe!!”. Your a blessing Aimee and a great pianist.
Outstanding! What a wonderful tribute to Floyd and a great history lesson on the origins of the slip note sound.
I had heard of Floyd Cramer, but only knew he was a country music artist. So, thank you so much for this video and introducing him to me. I’m 74 years old and I’m not surprised by many TH-cam videos, but this one blew me away. Thanks again.
I was just watching Keith Emerson's interview on the Oscar Peterson show from 1976, and he said Floyd was the first pianist he was influenced by.
My God, what an amazing player!
This video is extremely impressive from a construction point of view. LOTS of examples all tied together in a well thought out interplay that a music historian would be thrilled to death to watch. There should be an award for this type of quality.
I appreciate that so much
@@AimeeNolte Richard Clayderman also had those unique notes, so akin to Floyd
Thank you for recognizing and explaining this about Floyd. I borrowed this style 50 years ago and have enjoyed it for a lifetime.
When I first saw the posting on main TH-cam page, with the shadow of a man and no name, I knew immediately who your were talking about. Cramer is the guy who inspired me to want to play the piano some 50 years ago Loved his playing then, love it now. Plus it was my privilege to see the big 3 -- Atkins, Cramer and Randolph in concert in Lubbock, Texas back in the mid-60's. Great presentation, you certainly did your homework. I enjoyed it.
Thank you. So inspiring.
I fell in love with Floyd's song On the Rebound as a little kid, I had the seven single and couldn't stop listening to it. Then I started noticing his style popping up everywhere. Many years later I played in a band with a pianist who slipped notes into rock n roll tunes and I would shape my guitar parts around that, it gave our band a unique sound that made us stand out. I can't really play piano but when I want that sound and I say to a pianist to give me the Floyd lick they often don't know what I mean, until I demonstrate it to them with my basic version. It's definitely part of my guitar style, both semitone (more blues/rockabilly sound) and wholetone slips (for a more country/soul sound). Floyd was the man, what a legacy
I am totally speechless. This is the most moving and inspirational video I have ever watched. The compilation of musicians using Floyd’s style actually brought me to tears! YOU have truly created a masterpiece and because of that I will never forget your name also.
So glad you liked it Greg. Thank you
I had no idea this style of playing is called 'slip note' until you enlightened me. I am a great admirer of Chet Atkins ever since I was in my early teen, (now 78).It is because of Chet I learnt to play the guitar. I generally play the lead guitar and copy this technique, so now I know who pioneered this style. Floyd & Chet, what a pair of great musicians. God Bless them both.
You explained everything so beautifully. Thank you for making my day ❤
A beautiful, rich tribute, brilliantly researched, & pulling together many profound influences that went in so many directions. Makes me think of the beautiful simple piano solo on the Emmylou Harris studio recording of Buck Owens' "Together Again" (played, I think, by Glen Hardin). I love that Hendrix credited Kramer (as well as the great Curtis Mayfield)! Bruce Hornsby did a very distinctive thing with that influence, extending the slip-note in time. Love his work.
It would be interesting to look at classical piano with these things in mind...
Thanks for closing a knowledge gap for me!
I took piano lessons for several years as a kid, not because my parents coerced me, but because I asked. You see, I've always loved the piano. And classical music.
Then in college in the late 1960's (in the science & engineering track, not music), there was a piano in the lobby of our dorm, and Ken, one of the other residents, showed me a few things, including _The Maple Leaf Rag,_ and two Floyd Cramer songs: _The Last Date,_ and _On the Rebound._ These were about the most fun to play of anything I knew. Mostly because of that "slip note" technique you mention.
Incidentally, at this time I was just learning guitar, and that technique on a keyboard reminds me strongly of the "hammer-on" technique on the guitar.
But not having followed popular or country music at the time Floyd was popular, I had no idea of the connections you reveal here.
So thanks!
Fred
EDIT: Now having watched the rest of the video, I see you make that "hammer-on" comparison, too!
This is topnotch musical history! The hair and clothes color is working for you too. "Oh, my Aimee"....there's a lyric for ya, dear!
Took me back to my childhood. Thanks for this video, Ms. Nolte.
😢 hello Miss Amy Nolte. My name is Walter Mills aka the left-handed bloke.
In the sixties I remember hearing this song on AM radio back then I would go to four different channels to try and capture the emotion coming through whatever speaker I was able to speaker glue my ears to. I have watched a few videos but today I subscribed I'm a guitar player / bass hopefully one day learn to play my banjo. But you touched me today where I actually had tears. Your sincerity, your honesty from your inner self totally cloaked me with joy. One of the reasons I watch this program's I saw my hero Jimi hendrix's photo. Yes the example songs that you played. I also hear him using the slip no technique in the solo The Wind Cries Mary. I don't have a keyboard at this time I lost the one I had. I'm thinking about taking your course down the road.. oh my gosh you are definitely a deep influence on me and I'm going to go to your Channel on nebula. Thank you so much I deeply appreciate your approach and how you want to share your gift with others who worked on that road of expressing their art and inner voice. May you your family and friends all be safe and may the year yield health and prosperity to you .
Sincerely Walter the left-handed bloke
What a sweet lefty you are! Thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m so glad you liked the video and I hope you enjoyed nebula. Thank you so much for signing up and let me know if you need any help with it here in the comments somewhere
@@AimeeNolte you are quite welcome. I'm a huge Hendrix fan. But I'm also a person who does not believe in competitive pole statements such as the greatest , the best in the world. No to me music is a gigantic canvas and every artist approaches that canvas and paints his or her beautiful images of their portrait Express from their inner being of creativity. We are surrounded several artists whether they be professional or novelist. Sly Stone said everybody is a star. Wow thank you for getting back to me you are definitely super I have to make my mind over in my budget if I'm going to deal with nebula thanks again for your encouraging response . Sincerely Walter the left-handed bloke 😀
I'm a Nashville based piano player. You really did a great job on this video. Very authentic. I thought everyone knew about Floyd! I need to get out more. I did not know Chet had encouraged Floyd to write something like Last Date. I'll have to find it, but I believe Hank Jones even played some very blatant Floyd licks in the some old jazz standard. He's everywhere. I've been working for 30 years out of Nashville for country artists people would know and it's probably mostly due to learning what Floyd did with harmonizing a melody. And yes, it does feel great on the hands. Thank you for the video.
Thanks so much for that Scott! I’d love to spend some time in Nashville, because I think it would be really eye-opening in a lot of ways. The number system alone!
If you do come to Nashville I'd recommend Broadway for live music, there's a newer area called 12 South near Belmont that's got some cool places to eat and shop and there is a place called The Nashville Jazz Workshop that has some great music and great people. The people that run it are Lori Mechem (my old piano teacher) and her husband Roger Spencer. He plays bass. Great musicians. I'm really digging your videos. Keep it up!
One of our greatest pop composers Jimmy Webb has an LP out called "SlipCover" that is dedicated to the Nashville piano sound developed by Floyd Cramer. Billy Joel also incorporates the Cramer technique in many., many of his piano songs. Thanks Aimee!!!
Floyd Cramer was one of the musical heroes of my childhood.
I've never heard of Floyd Cramer before but I love his technique already. I can't believe I haven't heard of him sooner.
Thank you for being you!! My musical piano journey has been so enriched by your knowledge and perfect tutorials and insights!!
As soon as I saw the title, I knew who it was about. Lovely video.
I knew it was Floyd Cramer from the title and watched to confirm. I wasn't much into country music way back when but Floyd's playing was just so prominent and inescapable in the sixties. I remember reading about his playing in Keyboard magazine and always remember how he developed a technique to emulate steel guitar. There are few pianists who impacted their music genre to the extent he did. Without a doubt a music genius....and I actually think his playing transcends genres....any pianist can gain something studying his style. Nice video.
I remember those ads! Definitely thought it was dated as a kid but damn, I realize he played on so many songs I loved. But in his own words, mostly whole tones? Super interesting.
This was one of the most informative & inspirational videos I’ve seen in ages. Thanks so much
Thank you for this. I knew who the subject must be from the opening. As a kid I heard a lot of country on tv; I didn't like country (for association reasons that had nothing to do with country music) but I often heard a little sound on those songs - i fought to find out who was playing that sound and got the name Floyd Cramer. I never forgot his name or sound, didnt know it was called a slip note, in my mind it was called the Cramer note. Im glad he is still recognized. There was no reason for a kid watching tv hearing music he was not a fan of to sit up and focus on a 'note' that "slipped" by so quickly but that was Cramer's genius.( I think it was teaching himself by doing it by ear is exactly what allowed him to imitate what he was hearing on guitar. )That is my humble tribute to him, but as I am always talking about music, I often hip my associates to this man's name. Seeing you play it, Im going to continue paying tribute but now with my fingers lol. Thank you again.
I've been following you for years. This is one of your best!I love the fact that you were able to shine a light, and your viewers are now enlightened. Based on the comments above, there are a lot of Floyd enthusiasts.
Oh, let’s not forget Leon Russell, who was also a huge influence on Elton John. It’s like a pantheon of greats, and now, even though I knew about ‘Floyd licks’ and their connection to Floyd Cramer, I get that Floyd is part of the piano/keyboard ‘godhead’ with various other undisputed greats. So cool. Thanks, Aimee!! Really excellent content!! Cheers!!
I had heard about the legendary Floyd Cramer, but this video really nailed the whole story and fleshed out the reality of this remarkable and active pianist from the Nashville world. Truly excellent musician biography and documentary work. All of us are grateful to have seen this video. I'm a trombonist, but like many musicians also play arranger style piano and my son is pretty serious about developing his piano chops. I'll recommend this video to him.
Like so many, I've heard Floyd Kramer's distinctive and beautiful way of playing countless times, without knowing his name or the name of his piano playing style. His influential and soulful way of playing can be heard everywhere. Thank you Aimee for making such a wonderful video, and shining a well deserved light on the history and contributions of a great musician. It was an absolute delight to watch this video. It must have taken quite a lot of time to make, but it was surely worth it. I hope you make more videos like this, as your presentation, content, and explanation was superb. 👏👍😎
I grew up with Floyd Kramer (and others) music playing in our house. I still have the album of his greatest hits. My favorite tune: "On the Rebound."
Thanks Aimee, great stuff! As a kid coming up in the '50's-'60's, Floyd's playing sure grabbed my attention. And thanks for that terrific compilation.
Such a great reasearch, madam Aimee.
Reminder Billy Joel was indirectly influenced..
Well Done Aimee. This is my favorite video you have created here: history, influential people, people influenced by a pioneer, well researched topic. A perfect video. And you give a great intro for NEBULA, I'm glad to leave TH-cam, and you give a perfect reason why to move over there. Thank you for saying the better reasons to join Nebula, if for nothing else than to help the video-creators to bring us great topics! Cheers, Don.
Wow, thank you!
There's a lot of his style in Fats Domino's playing too, Billy Joel... Like so many. Great video!
You bring back some classic memories I have forgotten about. Thank you ❤
Please do more of these 🙏
I've heard of him !!! Since I first listened to That Tune at a little country smorgasbord restaurant on Sunday mornings, I've loved Floyd Cramer. His touch was magical, his style so unique. Gracias, Ms. Nolte for recognizing such a towering, yet forgotten figure in American Music of the 20th Century.
Been playing all my life, basically that style, which works well in rock too, especially scaling relative majors in minor key songs. Thank you for doing a video on one of the true piano greats! Hard to find good material like this. Thanks again.
I knew who you were talking about before i ever clicked on the video.
Floyd was the best in the biz.
A technique, a style, . Immediately identifiable.
The best.
Great video!!!
Thanks Aimie…what a great history lesson!
Angie by the Rolling Stones. Thanks, Aimee!
THE SOUND OF MY CHILDHOOD, THANK YOU FOR REMING US!!
Thank you so much for having my new favorite channel! I just discovered this, and will now binge watch your vids. Awesome!
You just popped up! Been a long time, too long. Deeply appreciate your style, voice, and passion for the 88s. Bravo.
Thank you, i'll be 66 this Oct and i learned a lot about Floyd Cramer from your video. 😉👍
What a great history lesson! Thanks so much. I found Jason Coleman a while back and went down the Floyd Cramer rabbit hole. Now that you mention it, I do remember those eighties commercials!
What a wonderful deep dive and tribute to one of my favorite pianists! ❤️
A story (possibly apocryphal) I heard from back at my days in the Commercial Music Department at South Plains College, was that Floyd developed his famous slip-key style of playing during a recording session with Chet Atkins. The story goes that, after several unsuccessful takes, an exasperated Floyd asked Chet what he wanted. Chet told Floyd to, “Play your piano like a pedal steel guitar,” and the rest, as they say, was history.
his style is instantly recognizable. he's great!!
This video came to me out of the blue and I've learned a lot. Thank you so much!
Last Date closed my radio request show. My mother wore out the 45, I grew up and took it to work. What an influence.
Thank you this amazing video! He influenced me so much, and I’m a fiddle plater!🫶🏽🙏🏽🎻
Thank you Aimee, what a wonderful video ❤️
Thank you for the Country Music education! I definitely grew up hearing Floyd's "slip note" style, but I'm not sure when I first heard his name.
Wonderful, I just learned so much. I had fun guessing from the title who this was going to be about (I got it right). You're spot-on that I first learned his name from those old TV commercials, and then I started picking him out on Elvis records and elsewhere. But I had no idea that was him on "End of the World", and I've been on a bit of a Skeeter Davis kick lately (possibly thanks to your recent Carole King tribute). The stretch from 15:10 to 16:56 is utterly amazing, and a series of revelations. The work and research here couldn't be more impressive.
Not that I would call myself even a muso, but I instantly recognised his sound & had never heard of him. Wonderful presentation thanks :) Wishing health & happiness to you & yours in 24 & beyond :)
Thank you Sweetie for honoring my life friend Floyd Cramer ..!
My pleasure!!
Mad this up for my Mother Lorraine Thompson Barclay Country music writer performer .
But I'm convinced it's a Floyd Crammer song . But I don't know what it is . Help please ?
Listen to "Lorraine's Favorite Song" Recording2017 - 10 - 15 - 14 - 24 - 28 by Allen Barclay Allen on #SoundCloud
soundcloud.com/allen-barclay-allen/lorraines-favorite-song-recording2017-10-15-14-24-28?ref=clipboard&p=a&c=1&si=3f6a384c6371440991c1bf355689e402&
Wow, I didn't know who he was, but I sure knew that sound from hearing Elvis , Dolly P and Linda R
Now I'm going to learn his technique too. Its great to be versatile. I enjoy twenty different genres of music. I always have and always will.
Ty Aimee for sharing you skills with us. PS, Libras are the best!
"Midnight" has always been one of my favorite Floyd Cramer tunes. Used to hear it on an AM radio station up at Lake Tahoe, back in the mid sixties.
Neil Young named Floyd Cramer as a huge influence. You can hear that slip-note all over his guitar playing.
And the tack piano on Neil's 'My Heart' from Sleeps With Angels.
This is So FUN! Bravo, Aimee.
I have to say this is one of the best TH-cam videos I have ever watched. Thank you for this great piece putting these historical artists together linked by Floyd Cramer.
This was a great bit historical trivia.
He was good. Very definitive sounding piano playing.
Thanks a lot for an informative piece. As a guitarist over 70yo, I have heard of Floyd Kramer from way back, but I never knew how influential he was.
Thanks for educating the current generation about the great Floyd Cramer! Great lesson. 👍👍
YES MA'AM I KNEW IT WAS HIM!!!! FC undoubtedly influenced many country and country blues musicians in the first place. You can hear his touch in Dolly Parton, too, and also Norah Jones often adds those slip notes as embellishments in her songs. Thanks a lot for talking about Floyd Cramer, who happens to be one of my most inspirational musicians! ❤️❤️
Oof how did I forget Norah! Good call!
Spot on. Lots of people consider Norah Jones "jazz" but she was clear about her country influences. Her first album had one or two Hank Williams songs. Of course she owes something to Floyd Kramer.
I must have been about 12 years old when I began hearing Last Date on my AM radio, probably every day, and I remember being especially drawn to it, more so than most other things I heard on the radio. I was so impressed by the sweetness and beauty of the recording that I made sure to find out and remember the name of the performer. Thanks to Aimee for reminding me.
Another outstanding offering, Aimee. Love all the background info you find and share. So cool.
Anytime Floyd wasn’t available in the 90’s my grandfather would be asked to sub for him. There were a few Chet Atkins events where he would fill in for Floyd. He really admired Floyd
Thanks for sharing!! Would his name be recognizable to musicians at least? 'Pig" Hargus?
What a wonderful video and beautiful tribute! How have I been alive 53 years and never heard of Floyd Cramer until just now(although in my defense, I'm a guitarist, but still)?! It's such an iconic style that even before you got to the sample songs, I immediately thought of 'Behind Closed Doors': an iconic style within an iconic start within an iconic song. It's so lovely of you Amy to share this with us. And as an added bonus, how cool and humble for Cramer to give a shout out to a female musician instead of just taking all the credit for himself!
Pig Robbins played the intro to Behind Closed Doors and got his start in Nashville when Kramer had the big hit with Last Date and went on the road . Robbins credits his style to Kramer , I saw a Joe Chambers A team interview where he said that he came to Nashville playing like Jerry Lee and Owen Bradley told him to kill the left had ' I got a bass player ... ' and not to play so many notes with his right ... ' Just tinkle around the high notes some ... ' Pig and Joe have both passed recently , but his Nashville Musician's Hall of Fame interviews are worth seeking out if you want to know more about Floyd and Pig