Edward L. Crain

Edward Leroy Crain December 27 1903 – March 15 1975 Also Known By His Stage Name "The Texas Cowboy" Or His Recording Alias "Cowboy Ed Crain" Was An American Country Blues Musician Who Played Guitar Fiddle And Mandolin. He Recorded In The 1930s And Is Perhaps Best Known For His Rendition Of The Song "Bandit Cole Younger". As A Youth Crain Was Taught To Play Instruments From His Fellow Ranch Hands Working On A Ranch As A Tailor And Taking Part In Cattle Drives In Longview Texas. Crain Credits Jimmie Rodgers With Persuading Himself To Perform Professionally When Complications From Asthma Caused Difficulties In His Occupation. As A Part Of His Stage Act Crain Was Advertised As "The Texas Cowboy" With A Repertoire Consisting Of Songs About Cowboys And Was One Of The Few Performers Who In Reality Was Involved In The Profession. Aside From Touring In Music Halls Throughout Texas Crain Also Played On Several Radio Station Programs In Fort Worth And Promoted A Cleaning Business He Managed In The 1930s By Performing On An Afternoon Show. On July 16 1931 Crain Recorded For The First Time Entering The Studio For Columbia Records Performing A Tune Called "The Old Grey Hare" Under The Alias Cowboy Ed Crane. Although Crain Was A Multi-Instrumentalist His Recording Only Feature His Vocals Which Were Noticeably Nasal As A Consequence Of His Asthma Along With Guitar Accompaniment. Arguably Crain's Most Recognizable Song Was His Rendition Of "Bandit Cole Younger" A Musical Story In The Perspective Of Cole Younger. Crain's Version Of The Composition Reappeared On The Prominent Compilation Album Anthology Of American Folk Music In 1952. Crain Would Record Several More Sides For Columbia Records But His Asthma Developed Into Emphysema Forcing Him To Retire From His Music Career And Relocating To Oregon. He Would Live A Low-Profile Lifestyle As A Rancher And Briefly Returned To His Career In 1970 Re-Recording "Bandit Cole Younger". Crain Died In Medford Oregon In 1975 Aged 71. read less