"When The Folks High Up Do the Mean Low-Down!" Johnny Crawford

From the 1930 United Artists release "Reaching For the Moon," this is an unpublished song by Irving Berlin. In the film it is introduced by Bebe Daniels, then a bigger star than Bing Crosby, who sings the verse and one chorus (then he disappears). The third chorus is sung by singer/comedienne June MacCloy, in her film début. Johnny Crawford comes from a family of professional musicians and was performing from the time he could walk. In 1955 his singing impersonation of Johnnie Ray led to a contract with Disney, where he became one of the original Mouseketeers. As an actor, Johnny Crawford has appeared in over 200 television productions, 15 movies, and 13 plays. He received an Emmy Nomination at the age of 13 for his role as Mark McCain in the very successful series, The Rifleman, now featured every weekday evening on Encore Westerns. Signed by Del-Fi Records in 1961, Johnny had five top 40 hits in the 1960s Cindy's Birthday, Rumors, Your Nose Is Gonna Grow, Proud, and Patti Ann. Three of his Del-Fi albums are now available on iTunes and Amazon.com. Johnny has long been a fan of dance band records from the first half of the 20th century. After playing guitar and singing songs of that period for more than a decade, Johnny spent two years in New York (1987-1989) as the vocalist in Vince Giordano's Nighthawks Orchestra. With The Nighthawks, Johnny was seen in numerous appearances on the East Coast, including a Garrison Keillor TV Special from Radio City Music Hall, and the George Bush Inaugural Ball of 1989. Now Johnny enjoys singing with his own vintage dance band, while also providing authentic period music for film, special events and education. Since 1990 the Johnny Crawford Orchestra has gathered an enthusiastic following in Southern California from concerts and dances to private parties and corporate events. Performances with his band at the Hollywood Athletic Club (1997-98) are favorably referred to in Elmor Leonard's 1999 novel, Be Cool. In November 1993 he teamed up with pianist Peter Mintun for an engagement at the Cinegrill of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. They appeared together on the Vicki Lawrence Television Show. Video by Michael Dorrough; directed by Roger Robles.