Randy Crouch

Randy Crouch, born April 1, 1952 - is an Oklahoma-based multi-instrumentalist. Randy has been called "the world's best rock fiddler" but he also plays guitar and pedal steel among other instruments. [ [http://www.newsok.com/article/2965595/?print=1 Get off the Couch, See Crouch by Erik Tryggestad and Chris Colberg, The Oklahoma City Oklhoman] ] Randy's live performances include unusual techniques such as playing the guitar by rubbing it with his fiddle or its bow. He also is reported to be able to play the fiddle while standing on it. [ [http://www.fortytwenty.com/news.htm Forty Twenty News: Mar 5-6 Crouch plays fiddle while standing on it.] ] Randy Crouch's music has been a foundation for Oklahoma's Red Dirt music genre and also represents a variation of the The Tulsa Sound. Randy Crouch has also been a primary influence on aspiring Oklahoma musicians performing bluegrass, folk, country music, & "jam bands" . As well as performing under his own name, Crouch is a regular member of the Red Dirt Rangers band.

Randy's songs "Big Shot Rich Man" and "Mexican Holiday" have been recorded by Jason Boland & the Stragglers. Randy was recently able to record his song "Got Time to Party" with Tulsa's South 40, whose CD "Home" also features guest spots by members of Asleep at the Wheel & George Strait's band. As a member of the Vince Herman Trio, Crouch performs with alumni of the famous jambands Leftover Salmon and Ekoostik Hookah. Randy Crouch lives in a geodesic dome on land recovered from a former landfill site. His home lacks electrical power by choice, not by circumstance. In concert, Randy himself sometimes refers to his songs as "Oklahoma Protest music." Crouch is a member of the house band at the annual Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma.

Discography

* The Green Album (1978) - Tulsa Sampler
* Colorslide (1983)
* Fractal Rose (1992) with Lisa Perry
* Take Two (1995)
* The Flying Horse Opera (1996)
* It's Too Bad (1997)
* Angel Rose (1998) with Lisa Perry
* Canyon Rose (1998) with Lisa Perry
* Pearl Snaps (1999) with Jason Boland & the Stragglers
* Unplugged (1998) with the Lisa Sisters
* Truckstop Diaries (2001) with Jason Boland & the Stragglers
* Travelin' On (2002)
* What's Goin' On? (2003)
* Natural Selection (2004)
* Somewhere in the Middle (2004) with Jason Boland & the Stragglers
* Kindred Spirits (2004) with Bob Childers
* Willie Cry Records presents: the OK Invasion Vol 1 (2004) compilation / various artists
* Restless Spirits (2005) various artists, tribute to Bob Childers
* Home (2006) with South 40
* Roam Home to the Dome (2006) compilation / various artist *benefit CD for the Buckminster Fuller dome
* Friends (2006) with Wanda Watson
* Fishin' & Dog Songs (2007) with The Boys from Oklahoma
* Ranger Motel (2007) with the Red Dirt Rangers
* Songs for the Illinois River (2007) various artists / compilation *benefit CD for preserving the Illinois River
* Red Eye Gravy (2007) with Red Eye Gravy band

References

* [http://okweekend.com/index.cgi?week=07_20_07&cat=home&subCat=topStories&item=1 Muskogee, OK Phoenix: "Greatness Wears a Big Beard" by Leif Wright] July 20, 2007
* [http://tulsaworld.com/entertainment/article.aspx?articleID=070831_8_ES1_hJohn01726 2007 Spot Music Awards: Best Country] Tulsa World Augtust 31, 2007
* [http://www.cnhi.com/muskogee/entertainment/local_story_342122752.html Badwater Stretches Out by Jane Wilson the Muskogee, Ok Phoenix] December 8, 2006
*"Entertainment" by Darle Bennett in The Current, Northeast Oklahoma's Alternative Source for News & Entertainment Vol 2 No 6 pg 10
* "Grooview" by Mark Steele in The Telluride, Watch January 20, 2006
* [http://www.jambands.com/ShowReviews/content_2005_08_02.00.phtml Jam Bands.com Vince Herman Trio show review] July 22, 2005
* [http://www.babiescantwait.com/new_page_5.htm A thoughtful and insightful article on Okie music from Dan Garber: Babies Can't Wait: International training and technical assistance]
* [http://www.jambands.com/ShowReviews/content_2005_08_02.00.phtml JustProgress Fundraiser Concert Review] April 1, 2006
* [http://www.woodyguthrie.com/2007_Entertainers.htm Woody Guthrie Festival House Band]
* Lawrence, Kansas Journal-World January 31 2008, p. C-1.
* [http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/archivesearch/local_story_177124350.html Fiddlin' Folk by Eddie Glenn the Tahlequah, OK Daily Press] June 25, 2007

External links

* [http://www.randycrouch.com Randy Crouch Official Website]
* [http://www.catman1.com/crouch/ Catman's Crouch Page]
* [http://www.archive.org/details/vht20060105_sbd-flac Randy Crouch performing with the Vince Herman Trio in Colorado]
* [http://www.renaissounds.com/vince_herman_trio/index.html Randy Crouch performing with Vince Herman in New Mexico]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U2897ZR0Fo Randy Crouch performs Lonesome Fiddle Blues on youtube.com]
* [http://www.ourtracks.com/artistpage.php?id=262 Randy Crouch downloads at Ourtracks.com]