The Legacy of Floyd Cramer

THE LEGACY OF FLOYD CRAMER
featu rin g gran dson JA S O N C O L E M A N
Floyd Cramer is one of the most admired and beloved instrumentalists of all time. His distinctive
touch at the piano, which he called the “slip note,” is so uniquely his that it has become instantly
identifiable and widely imitated in country, pop, and rock music. Exemplified by his 1960 smash hit,
“Last Date,” Floyd’s piano was an essential part of the “Nashville Sound” genre of music during the
1950s and ‘60s, and his signature style can be heard on the classic songs of countless music legends,
among them Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, and Elvis Presley.
Floyd enjoyed a successful career for more than 40 years as a solo recording artist, session pianist,
and touring concert performer. His impact on the music industry earned him numerous honors and
awards over his lifetime, though none as prestigious as his posthumous inductions into both the
Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame in 2003.
Although Floyd’s life was taken by cancer in 1997, his unique touch at the piano is still alive and
powerful today – not only in the hearts of countless fans and followers, but also through the music
of his grandson, Jason.
Jason Floyd Coleman is the son of Floyd’s youngest daughter, Donna. Though Jason was only 12
years old when his grandfather passed away, the relationship they shared during their short time
together fueled Jason’s innate passion for music and formed a foundation upon which he is building
his career.
Jason has played the piano since he was barely tall enough to reach the keys. At age five, he started
piano lessons and began to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, performing with Floyd on several
occasions at his concerts and on national TV. Though Floyd never taught Jason formal lessons, he was
influential in Jason’s musical development and was an invaluable source of encouragement and
enthusiastic support. Or as Jason tells it, Floyd was always “just Grandad.”
Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Jason took part in all things musical, from school
choirs and church bands to local concerts and music festivals. After high school, he attended
Belmont University in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee and graduated in 2006 with a degree
in music business.
Jason made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry at age 17, as he accompanied country music legend
Hank Locklin on the song "Please Help Me, I'm Falling," which Floyd originally recorded with Hank
more than 40 years prior. Two years later, Jason was given the honor of playing for the Country
Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony recognizing Floyd’s induction into the Hall of Fame.
Since then, Jason has taken to the studio and the stage for his own career. Over the last few years,
Jason has produced a collection of his own albums, including five studio releases and one live
concert recording. In 2010, after years of headlining local and regional concerts, Jason embarked on
his first-ever nationwide concert tour – The Legacy of Floyd Cramer – bringing his music to more than
70 cities across the United States.
In his concerts, Jason highlights the far-reaching influence of his grandfather’s “slip notes” as he
plays a nostalgic lineup of country, pop, and easy listening standards, including many that featured
Floyd on the original recordings or were his own self-penned hits. Jason entertains audiences
sometimes as a solo performer and at other times with a full band or even a symphony orchestra.
Following the tremendous response to his first tour, Jason is currently carrying on with these
popular concerts, doing his part to ensure that “the legacy continues.”
Now 26, Jason makes his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, with his wife, Natalie.
THE LEGACY OF FLOYD CRAMER
featu rin g gran dson JA S O N C O L E M A N
2010-2011 C O N C E R T P R O G R A M
On The Rebound
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Please Help Me, I'm Falling
Music Box Dancer
Nashville Sound Medley:
I Can't Stop Loving You
Make The World Go Away
Welcome To My World
I Only Have Eyes For You
All I Have To Do Is Dream
Oh Lonesome Me
The End Of The World
Elvis Presley Medley:
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Love Me Tender
Can’t Help Falling In Love
San Antonio Rose
Tennessee Waltz
Patsy Cline Medley:
I Fall To Pieces
Sweet Dreams
Crazy
Unchained Melody
Flip, Flop And Bop
- Intermission -
Natalie’s Song
Always On My Mind
Georgia On My Mind
Root Beer Rag
America Medley:
America The Beautiful
God Bless The U.S.A.
Gospel Medley:
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Blessed Assurance
Peace In The Valley
Last Date
CONCERT REVIEW
THE LEGACY OF FLOYD CRAMER featuring grandson JASON COLEMAN
December 3, 2010
To whom it may concern,
It has been some time since I have written comments on a performance, but I simply HAD to
share my feelings.
The Alpena Community Concert Association has experienced dwindling membership for
several years now. Originally, we were a strong and vibrant organization, greatly enamored
with mainly classical performances. Over the years, our members have 'greyed' and are either
dying or spending the bulk of the year in southern climes. We have realized, therefore, that we
must broaden our age group, encouraging new and younger members to support us. We now
know that we must share the 'classical' spotlight with other musical genres. Another concern
has been the rising price of quality talent, while membership funds are dwindling.
Would you please let everyone know that the way to combat this trend is to bring acts like Jason
Coleman to our stages. This very young, extremely charming and awesomely talented man had
the entire audience in the palm of his hand, within minutes! He had the greatest amount of CD
sales that I have ever witnessed at our concerts. He is a delightful keyboard artist, offering a
wide variety of music, demonstrating an immediate and long-lasting rapport with every age in
our audience. His concert made us laugh and truly brought tears to our eyes, with his joy and
tenderness for his art.
Please know how thoroughly impressed I am with Jason and his performance. One audience
member is going to write a letter to the editor of our local paper with such words as "You
people have no idea what you're missing..." and many people insisted that I tell them we would
bring him back again. Be assured - if the opportunity arises - we shall!
This young man has a HUGE future ahead of him and we are privileged and lucky to have
brought him to Alpena. I hope Live On Stage can include him again - soon!
David Usher
President, Alpena Community Concert Association
Alpena, Michigan
CONCERT REVIEW
THE LEGACY OF FLOYD CRAMER featuring grandson JASON COLEMAN
November 14, 2010
Jason Coleman’s concert last night was SUPERB! The combination of his extremely able natural
talent, his professional showmanship while still portraying “humble,” and “of the folks,” the
media presentation which augmented and entertained and educated, PLUS of course, all the
good old oldies which people love. One of our long-time members summed up that aspect of
the concert with: “EVERY tune, a cherished memory.”
Add to this, his maturity (beyond his years I felt) and Southern graciousness which was so
appealing, his genuine love for his Grandad and his genuine desire to keep Grandad’s music
alive, both of which came clearly across “the footlights,” and you have an extraordinarily
pleasing concert, an evening which left our people smiling and happy, full of reflection and
reminiscence.
Couldn’t have been better.
Oh! And a friend of mine mentioned to me the next day, that as her twelve-year-old sat staring
into space over his morning bowl of oatmeal, and she asked him, “What are you thinking
about?” he responded: “I was just thinking about how awesome the concert was last night!”
A twelve-year-old. Amazing. Cramer-Coleman appeals to ALL ages!
Susan Tuft
Mini-Cassia Community Concert Association
Burley, Idaho
QUOTATIONS from CONCERT REVIEWS
THE LEGACY OF FLOYD CRAMER featuring grandson JASON COLEMAN
"One of our long-time members summed up that aspect of the
concert with: 'EVERY tune, a cherished memory.' . . . [It was] an
extraordinarily pleasing concert, an evening which left our people
smiling and happy, full of reflection and reminiscence."
Susan Tuft
Mini-Cassia Community Concert Association
Burley, ID
"This very young, extremely charming and awesomely talented man
had the entire audience in the palm of his hand, within minutes! . . .
He is a delightful keyboard artist, offering a wide variety of music,
demonstrating an immediate and long-lasting rapport with every age
in our audience. His concert made us laugh and truly brought tears to
our eyes, with his joy and tenderness for his art."
David Usher
President, Alpena Community Concert Association
Alpena, MI
"He had the crowd loving him from the moment he walked on
stage. Lots of humming around me all through the performance;
Jason plays the old favorites SO WELL! . . . He was a huge hit – a
sweet spirit who lifted our spirits!"
Lois Day
Harlingen Concert Association
Harlingen, TX
"Jason Coleman came, played and captured the hearts of the audience."
Virginia McDonald
Grossmont Community Concert Association
El Cajon, CA
"We had one of the largest audiences in our history!"
Keith Gustafson
President, Globe-Miami Community Concert Association
Globe, AZ