toledoblade.com -- Singer was a blues stalwart

Ron "Crawdaddy" Crawford, 56, who sang the blues with soul - and humor - as leader of his own group, Blues Connoisseurs, and with Voodoo Libido, died Sept. 19 in Toledo Hospital.

He was ill recently with heart-related problems, his sister Robin said.

Mr. Crawford said from the stage of the 2008 Toledo Blues Festival, "I've been living the blues all my life, baby."

His Blues Connoisseurs through the years included heavyweights of the Toledo blues scene, said Rick Gerbeck, a friend for 20 years and a drummer in that group and Voodoo Libido.

"He was good to everybody. He was just a very gracious, lovable guy," Mr. Gerbeck said.

Mr. Crawford last performed with Voodoo Libido several weeks ago, said guitarist Dave Athanas. He was a steady member in recent years. "He brought a soulful style to the blues," Mr. Athanas said.

When Voodoo Libido played at Packo's at the Park after Friday night Mud Hens games, Mr. Crawford was attired in color-coordinated ensembles, from hat to suit to shoes, with never the same color scheme twice, Mr. Athanas said.

"He was very dynamic," Mr. Athanas said. "He was a good front man, and he had a big following."

Mr. Crawford's sister said, "Everywhere he went, he made friends. He loved to see people laugh and make people laugh."

He was the host of benefit concerts, from Hurricane Katrina relief events to Coats for Kids Bluesfests.

"He always wanted to give something back to the people - excitement and joy," his brother Larry said.

He was born Feb. 3, 1953, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the son of Lucinda and L.C. Crawford. The family moved to Cincinnati and settled in Toledo.

He attended Waite High School and was a graduate of Scott High School, his brother said.

He mastered the harmonica as a child. His grandmother and mother were strong gospel singers, his sister said.

"My mother and Ron were very, very close," his sister said. "She was his biggest fan."

She died in April.

Mr. Crawford was a Jeep worker for nearly 30 years.

Surviving are sons, Eric and Ronnie; daughters, Porsha, Lucinda, and Savannah Crawford; brothers, Larry, Tyrone, Joseph, and Lehman; sisters, Robin, Patricia, Melissa, and Roslynn Crawford, and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Mount Nebo Baptist Church, where a wake service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Arrangements are by the Blanchard-Strabler Funeral Home.

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