Rain has not been kind to this year’s Main Street Live summer concert series for the past three weeks. Billy Crawford could end that streak when he takes the stage this Friday, July 10.
“I have performed in 22 countries and five continents at venues in over 420 cities,” said Crawford. “I have never had the pleasure of performing in McMinnville and count this show as an honor to be a part of. I am praying for dry weather.”
Crawford is from Bristol. He was raised playing bass in church, then gained an early hard-rock pedigree on electric guitar. For the past three decades, he has turned his six-string action toward the blues and uses it to rip through blues, ballads, and rock.
Crawford dug into hard rock while growing up in East Tennessee. Randy Rhoads, Ritchie Blackmore and Gary Moore were big influences. But like Moore, Crawford turned to the blues with B.B. King and Elvis Presley as early influences.
“If I saw B.B.’s name in the TV Guide, I would beg to stay up and watch Johnny Carson with my dad to see him with Lucille,” Crawford remembers.
 The five-member band also has Rex Boggs on vocals and guitar, Jay Corder on sax, Robert McClain on bass and vocals, and Keith Chinault on drums and vocals.
 The Billy Crawford Band is the fifth installment of Main Street Live. Bueller, the first band on the schedule, was the only one unaffected by rain. Entice on June 19 stopped in the middle its performance due to the threat of rain, while the next two performances with Noah Smith Band and Joe Harvey were both cancelled before they started.
During the concert, American Legion will be accepting nonperishable food for the Warren County Emergency Food Bank. Donations can be placed in marked boxes located next to the stage.
Because Main Street Live is a family oriented event, alcoholic beverages are prohibited and smoking is not allowed in the crowd. All animals need to be leashed and owners must clean up after their pets.
Billy Crawford will take the stage and begin entertaining at 7 p.m. on the West Lawn of Security Federal. There will be a variety of food and beverages available from vendors beginning at 6 p.m. Parking and admission are free. Bring a chair and enjoy the music.
Main Street Live summer concert series is a production of Main Street McMinnville. Events are free due to sponsorship by Dr Pepper Bottling Company, the Law Offices of Galligan and Newman, Security Federal Savings Bank, River Park Hospital, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, Ben Lomand Connect, McMinnville Electric System, city of McMinnville, Tennessee Arts Commission, Family Care Clinic, Peg Broadcasting and the Southern Standard, your source for local news.