I was recently introduced to the music of Billy "Crash" Craddock by my sister Kim. Because I have been listening to his music so much lately. I have decided to make this weeks Carries Corner about him.

There is just something about "Crashes" music. It's cool and its smooth. It's the best of 1970s country music. Billy brazenly oozes sexuality with his songs such as "Rub It In." And then can sing tender loves song like "The First Time," or "If I Could Write A Song As Beautiful As You," very much in the style of Elvis Presley.

Billy was born the youngest of 13 children in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was raised in a very loving very musical family. His father could play harmonica, spoons, and washboard. His mother and siblings sang beautiful gospel music and folk tunes. Billy list as some of his early musical influences, Little Jimmy Dickens, Lefty Frizzell and Faron Young. But it was Elvis that really caught his attention.

You are probably wondering how he came to be known as "Crash." Many people wrongly think that he was a car racer. Actually he got his nickname when he played football in high school and it has stuck with him ever since.

Shortly after he got out of high school he got his first recording contract with Colonial Records which was located in Durham North Carolina and he was on his way.The record company tried to mold him into the image of teen idol with little success at first here in the states but achieved instant popularity in Australia.

It wasn't until he signed with Cartwheel records that his career really took off with the release of "Knock Three Times." In his career he has had a total of nine number one songs including "Rub It In," "Easy As Pie," and "Broken Down In Tiny Pieces."

Available Albums

• Crashes Smashes

• Rub It In
• Ruby Baby
• Knock Three Times
• Broken Down In Tiny Pieces
• Easy As Pie
• Sweet Magnolia Blossom
• Ain't Nothin Shakin (But The Leaves On The Trees)
• Still Thinkin Bout You
• Dream Lover

Sound clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble