Craddock concerts to benefit Hospice
By Judi Brinegar
Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune
ASHEBORO - If you want to see a good concert, this one is a "don't
miss." And you'll be helping a local charity at the same time.
Country music star Billy "Crash" Craddock will perform two
concerts Feb. 5 at Asheboro High School.
A portion of the proceeds from the concerts will benefit Hospice of Randolph
County.
Concert organizer Ronnie Stone said that J.D. Higgins (Mr. Country Gold
98.1 & The Country Express) out of WBRF in Galax, Va., and singer Hannah
Turner of Pinnacle also will be performing at the show. Turner has opened
concerts for Mel McDaniel, Rhonda Vincent, Ronnie Bowman and others.
Craddock, the youngest of 13 children, is a Greensboro native. A good
portion of his childhood was spent surrounded by music. His mother and older
brothers and sisters regularly sang old gospel standards and folk tunes,
while his father was known for playing harmonica, spoons, washboard and
doing a mean buck dance. He earned his nickname "Crash" while
playing football at Rankin High School.
"Everybody in my family could sing or play something," Craddock
said. "I also used to perform in talent shows and my brother and I
formed a band in high school."
His big break came back in 1971 when he was performing at the Plantation
Supper Club in Greensboro.
Right after high school, Craddock received his first recording contract
with Colonial Records in Durham and he was on his way.
It wasn't too long until Craddock signed with Cartwheel Records and released
the number one hit, "Knock Three Times." That song was to become
the first of nine number one singles for Craddock and literally paved the
way for his worldwide 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." Additionally,
there have been 18 top 10 charted singles to Craddock's credit.
Craddock has sung on the Grand Ole Opry, has donated memorabilia to the
Country Music Hall of Fame and has toured to sellout crowds around the world.
Now in semi-retirement, he still does about 30-40 concerts a year. "I
don't ever want to quit singing," he admitted. "I love it too
much."
Craddock said that the best part of his long career has been the close
connection he has had with fans. He added that he truly likes meeting people
and some fans have become as close to him as members of his family.
"I have such appreciation for my fans," he said. "They
are like family and we can just sit and talk and have good conversations.
I go to Fan Fare in Nashville every year, just to meet my fans. I believe
in being close to fans and like to invite them on my bus and I really enjoy
spending time with them."
He also has a heart for Hospice.
"I love what Hospice does and saw the way they helped when one of
my pastor's family members had cancer," he said. "I wanted to
do this concert in Asheboro because I know how the folks of Asheboro support
charity. They always come through and I personally want to thank them for
that."
* * *
Tickets for the show are $20 each and can be purchased at Center of
Living Home Health & Hospice on Vision Drive, Music Barn on Chapman
St., Greensboro, Asheboro Pawn and Tarheel Contracting Co., both on South
Fayetteville Street, Something Different Steaks & Kabobs on Zoo Parkway,
or by calling 672-9300, 629-2890 or 626-0826. Seating is on a first-come,
first-serve basis. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the concert.
Copyright 2002, Stephens Media Group
|