Craig Krampf

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Craig Krampf is an American musician and songwriter.

Krampf has played on over 200 albums, including 60 "Top 40" hits, plus many movie and TV soundtracks. These efforts have gained him over 60 Gold & Platinum awards. He has drummed and played percussion on several Grammy-winning and nominated songs and albums. He has played on such hits as "Bette Davis Eyes" (Kim Carnes), The Motels "Only the Lonely", The Church's "Under the Milky Way", "Bring Me Some Water" (Melissa Etheridge), Patty Loveless ("You Can Feel Bad"), Tanya Tucker's "Can't Run from Yourself", more than 20 "Top 3" hits by Alabama, and the critically acclaimed albums "Trace" from Son Volt and debut from Garrison Starr, as well as the current hit, "Running With Scissors", by Cindy Nelson.

In the late 1970's, Craig was a member of Alien Project featuring Steve Perry (the future lead singer of Journey) on vocals. Craig would later co-write 'Oh Sherrie" which went to #3 on the charts for Perry. The song has won BMI awards, including the prestigious "Million Broadcast Performances" award. Recently, the song has gone over two million airplays and has garnered another BMI award. Craig also co-wrote three other songs on Perry's album Street Talk, including "Strung Out" which reached the "Top 40". "An unbelievable surprise and honor," as Craig puts it, was winning a Grammy Award for a song co-wrote for the movie "Flashdance"----"I'll Be Here Where the Heart Is", sung by Kim Carnes.

Craig is establishing himself as a producer, and although the list of credits is just beginning, the passion and critical acclaim of his work is evident. The debut album of Melissa Etheridge is reportedly over three million in worldwide sales and was hailed as a "fresh musical and sonic departure". The Toronto Now magazine stated that, "There's a grass roots feel to much of the music; it's simply produced but rich in emotion and texture." "The honest, heartfelt passion of Melissa's music was captured on record," states Craig, "that was our mission." Ashley Cleveland's "Big Town" (Atlantic Records), did not attain the same degree of commercial success, but did very well and once again, was hailed by critics. Billboard magazine's January 11, 1992 issue called it "the #1 best undiscovered record of the year". Disappear fear's debut was named one of Mix magazine's "Top 20 Albums of 1994". Recent releases that Craig produced include Angela Kaset, The Dee Archer Band, Gretle, The Features, Laws Rushing, Greg and Rebecca Sparks, and Janis Ian.