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200th Review Special: Craymo – A Look Into his Artist Bio

Posted in Alternative, EDM, Indie, Music Review, Pop, Rock by

Article by: Justyn Brodsky


Welcome to a very special 200th Review special.

We have a special, special treat for you all as we look back on an Artist that has been one of the most supportive, just as much as he is as a talented one that’s graced our Review platform and continues to strive for success with catchy, versatile songs that deliver very positive messages, and also a story about how he’s come this far in his journey and what the promising future holds for acclaimed recording artist, Craymo.

Here’s what we had to say about his anti-bullying themed hit single “Be Myself”:

It’s very rare that an artist reaches out for a review, and is armed with music that is insatiably captivating and original. With Craig Raymo‘s multi-genre mind blowing single “Be Myself”, we get just that with so many clever twists where it almost can’t be put to words. This is one for the books on the Artist Reach platform.

With this track, as Plucky Duck would say…expect the unexpected. Starting off with a hand-clapping and crowd participation inspired intro, we get the perfect introduction into the dynamic and charismatic vocal approach that Raymo showcases, all while maintaining one of the catchiest hooks to prepare you for what’s to come in the following measures.
Anticipating a possible generic Pop-influenced track, we instead get a stroke of genius and mind boggling acoustic infused pre-chorus that you didn’t see coming at all. This song will put you in awe by this point, and when the powerful chorus jumps in with Raymo‘s multi-layered harmonies with perfect precision, you’ll easily understand what makes this song the gem that it really is.
This song is the perfect combination of the best of 90’s style Songwriting and today’s Pop sensibility and production value. It’s just a track that needs to be heard to be believed. You’ll have this one not only on repeat, but passed among your friends as well. 
I go way back with Craig Raymo, so in a way I was expecting nothing less than something amazing. But this track exceeded my measures by a landslide. This is a must-hear on all counts. Raymo is also Director of Publishing for company powerhouse Moho Productions. Listen, research, and reach out to a brilliant artist and person altogether.

And looking back on this review, we believe this still hits home. This song is amazing, as is Craymo as an artist altogether. But we wanted to take the next step and go beyond the review for this Artist. Giving you all a chance to get to know Craymo for who he is as an artist, and what brought him to his success. This is not only an honor, but also a first for us on the Artist Reach platform. And if there’s one Artist I can especially think of that is worthy of going behind the scenes to get his career’s story more out there, there’s no better man than Craymo. An Artist Reach family member for life.

An Artist is Born:

Craymo was born Craig Stephen Raymo in Massena, New York and grew up in nearby Ogdensburg, a quiet little city on the St. Lawrence River bordering Canada. Music seemed to possess his soul from an early age as he had always tried to imitate the singers and bands emanating from his little 45 rpm record player. In 3rd grade he picked up the alto saxophone taking lessons from Kenneth Van Winkle, father of future Grammy winner Dixon Van Winkle. Craymo continued taking lessons and played in elementary and Jr. and Sr.High Bands and the school Jazz Rock group. Craig wrote his first song when he was 16. He sang in the school choir from elementary through high school. The young performer craved the stage and graced it every chance he got joining the local vaudeville style minstrel group Showtime. Craymo performed in community theatre and high school drama and musical theatre productions.

As a senior in high school he took interest in DJing and got a job spinning at Big Ed’s Dallas Lounge and also at a local radio station where co-workers first started calling him Craymo. Craymo went to Fredonia State University majoring in Broadcasting with a minor in drama.  

 

Moving up and Manifesting:

Feeling the call of the big city, Craig left college and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. He soon landed acting gigs in the TV soap operas General Hospital and days Of Our Lives, most recently in The Watchman’s Edict (2017), The Misadventures of Walt’s Frozen Head (2017) and the HBO original film Recount. All the while focused on his music, Craymo wrote hundreds of songs and started recording demos in Los Angeles recording studios. He auditioned to be the lead singer for several bands but ultimately realized his destiny was to be a solo artist. The determined young man took vocal lessons with R&B pioneer Bobby Womack and recorded a demo of one of his songs. Craymo then met record producer David Longoria who took him under his wing and recorded his first professionally recorded song “Love Touch” and filmed his first official music video. Then they went on to create several more songs including Craymo’s first EP entitled “Be My Girl” whose title track was licensed in the indie film Paper Thin Immortals. The next video was “Take It Slow” with a sixties beatnick vibe and the song was licensed in the indie film Accidents Don’t Happen. Craymo appeared as a male vocalist on Star Search 89 with Ed McMahan. He formed several backup bands and got booked at many lucrative venues such as the Whiskey A Go Go, The Roxy, Genghis Cohen and opened up shows for Smashmouth, The Plimsouls and Fishbone. He then met record producer Chris Irwin and recorded several songs in his Malibu studio. Craymo then ran into his old friend, songwriter and producer Brandon Jarrett. They went into the studio and magic happened. Combining their song catalogs into one company, Moho Productions, LLC. They recorded “One Love One World” which became a worldwide phenomenon being featured on the United Nations project UNESCO web site http://www.newsongsforpeace.org. School teachers all over the world downloaded the song, taught it to their students who then performed it at their schools in the USA, Canada, China and Australia. The opening scene in his music video for “One Love One World” features students in Pang Liu Village in China who were taught to read English using the words and music to his song.

 

The Acclaimed & Inspirational Artist:

Craymo is an award winning songwriter winning Best Male Easy Listening Artist in the 2017 Indie Music Channel Awards. He is also an anti-bullying advocate who recently won back to back Worldwide Music Contests. In Version 3 he won Best Song for “Be Myself”, his anti-bullying anthem and in Version 4, Best Video for “One Love One World (We Are One)”, another anti-bullying anthem that also promotes equality, tolerance, brotherhood, human rights and world peace. Craymo won Best Alternative Recording in the 2016 Indie Music Channel Awards for “Moment”, a song promoting suicide prevention awareness. His song “Love You More” won Best Alternative Recording in the 2015 Radio Music Awards and was a Finalist Best International Song 2016 Australian Music Oz Awards. Craymo has been a semi-finalist and finalist in several songwriting competitions including the 2012 Australian Music Oz Awards, 2012 Hollywood Music In Media Awards Unisong, the Hollywood Spiritual Film Festival, UK Songwriting Competition, Pacific Songwriting Competition and the Artist Undiscovered Competition. His songs have been licensed in the indie films, Lucky Dog, Culture Shock, Gabe The Cupid Dog, Cinnamon, Super Southern Sweet Sixteen, Miss Castaway, Leaving Hollywood and Successful Failures 2. Craymo has licensed several songs in television including The Mysteries of Laura (NBC), The X Games (ESPN), The Orlando Citrus Parade (SYND), Sinbad’s Reality U (pilot), Toddlers and Tiaras (TLC) and Chris and John To The Rescue (Canada). Craymo is currently receiving airplay on commercial and internet radio all over the world.

Musical influences include: Duran Duran, George Michael, The Beatles, Morrissey, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, Elton John, Sting and The Cars.

Connect with Craymo:




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