Pee Wee Crayton: Red Rose Boogie

Here is a short clip of Pee Wee Crayton. Crayton was the house guitar player at the Bilikin in Des Moines until he moved to LA. According to Mel Harper who owned the club, he hired guys for a month, or more because he felt that having a house band, or player helped build an audience. Mel brought in big time artists to play at the Bilikin, and Crayton was no exception. Of course lucky for us Pee Wee moved on, because his replacement was none other than Jimmy "The Midnite Cowboy" Pryor. Jimmy came for two weeks and blessed us with 45 more years of great blues!

Pee Wee Crayton: After Hours

Finally paydirt! I have been looking for a Pee Wee Crayton video, and here it is. It is short and sweet, but it is him. Pee Wee played for Mel Harper down on Center Street, at the Bilikin. When Pee Wee left for California, Mel called up Detroit Booking agents Rogers and Rogers looking for a new bluesman. Rogers and Rogers recommended a guitar player by the name of Jimmy Pryor, and they told Jimmy that it was a two week engagement. Jimmy left for Des Moines in 1960, and stayed and played in Des Moines for the next 46 years!

Here is the guy who left Des Moines, so Jimmy could come to Center Street. Pee Wee Crayton playing After Hours.