William Thomas Crank was born on April 13th, 1926 in the mountainous region of Jackson County, Kentucky. The youngest of six children born to George and Sarah Jane Crank, Tommy as they would come to call him, was born with tuberculosis and premature at the mere weight of just two and a half pounds. With limited means, his parents would rely on their faith in God alone to heal their baby boy. Although his size made it very difficult for the youngster to survive, their continued love and prayers were sure to be answered. In those early years the Crank household consisted of Tommy's half-brother Charlie, his brother Gilbert (or Franklin as he was referred to), their sisters Mary Bell, Georgia Ann, Sarah Ellen, and Josie Margaret, and of course there was William Thomas along with George and Sarah Jane. Eventually it would also include even distant relatives. Nevertheless, by the grace of God they'd never go hungry. The Lord would be their provider. The entire Crank family would attend church, as did most families in those days. As a child Tommy watched in amazement as the services would quickly progress into something that would become a part of his life forever. Some services became so exciting at times that he'd even hide under the pews, watching in awe. The tremendous influence that Sarah Jane's ministry would have on their family would be reflected in someway throughout the lives of each of her children, Tommy was no exception.

Tommy was just twenty years old when he married his first wife. Irma was a good Christian girl that taught Sunday school at the Cadillac Church of God, which was pastored at that time by Tommy's older brother Franklin. It was also here that Tommy would receive his lifelong calling to preach the gospel. He studied for the ministry with Irma's brother in law Clenton Winford, Clenton's brother Bob and Franklin's oldest son J.C. Crank.

After relocating in Ohio, Tommy played several festivals and church singings, and evangelized, making many life long friends along the way, including the Sparks family. Tommy recalls teaching an anxious six-year-old Larry Sparks his first guitar chords. By the late 1950's Tommy had done just about everything there was to do in bluegrass music. He worked as a promoter, a producer, a disc jockey, a songwriter, and even did factory work, all while maintaining his full time ministry. He'd even met some of the biggest names in the industry, like Jim and Jesse, Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmy Martin and many others. I.R.M.A. records, or International Rural Music of America, was a production company that Tommy began in order to record albums for himself and numerous other bluegrass artists. Folks like Wade Mainer, Lowell Varny and The Sons of the Gospel were just a few that recorded on the I.R.M.A. label. Lovingly named for his wife.

It was while living in Jackson Michigan that Tommy worked at Jessup studios. There he produced albums on such artists as Carl Story, Hylo Brown and Red Ellis. He also produced albums for Ralph Stanley after the tragic death of his brother Carter, in the mid sixties. These were some of the first recordings done after Ralph began his solo carrier with The Clinch Mountain Boys. Around that same time, Tommy also worked with a good friend of his from Brighton, Michigan. Bill Carpenter was producing albums for The Old Homestead record label. Now known for Bluegrass, around the world. Fellow musician James Watkins also worked closely with Tommy during those days and still remains a close friend to this day.

In addition to evangelizing and singing, Tommy went to work at a premiere local radio station, WPFB when returning to Middletown, Ohio. There he would spin albums and promote the very biggest names in Bluegrass Gospel Music such as his friends J.D. Jarvis, Ernest Carter and the Hymn Trio and so many others. It was during one of the greatest bluegrass gospel movements of all time. Most of Tommy's time was be spent on the road with one group or another, either as a guest artist or M.C.. He would host shows frequently at the local armory, fieldhouse, blocked off city street or even some empty field if he felt lead to do so. The festival circuit was big in those days, real big and Tommy loved every minute of it. That was the pace he'd set for himself during the early seventies and already in his late fourties, he was in the prime of his life.

Even as busy as he was Tommy just couldn't get enough of the road. He sang, pastored and preached somewhere just about every week and Irma was right there with him whenever possible, to encourage her Husband. She and their kids even sang with Tommy from time to time.

It was while living in southeastern Kentucky that Tommy became Pastor of the Whitesburg Church of God and also became a headlining DeeJay for the biggest radio station in that area, reaching from Hazard Kentucky to Richmond Virginia (W.T.C.W). Tommy was determined and continued to pour his heart into his music and ministry. To help busy his self, he'd work constantly on one project or another. Recording, producing and traveling kept him active most of the time.

The next big project for Tommy was a recording he did for Jimmy Skinner Music, with friends Joe and Lily Isaacs. Joe had been a long time friend to the Crank's and was raised just a few miles from where Tommy was born in Jackson County. At one time he had even been the banjo player for Tommy's old friend Ralph Stanley, but had since gone out with a group of his own. Tommy's lead vocals would act as the foreground for the Isaacs' blending harmony, especially Lily's beautiful tenor. These musicians were some of the best pickers that Tommy had ever worked with. Anyone that heard the album knew immediately that this was Tommy's best work to date. Several songs from the album were well received by radio stations and began getting air play almost upon release. But not even Tommy had any idea of just how good this recording really was. By the end of the season every single from the album had gotten played somewhere. Deejays from some stations began opening their programs to Tommy's fast pickin' version of "Heaven's Light is Shining on Me". Still the highlight came when one of Tommy's own songs entitled "Weighed in the Balance" was listed at the number five spot on the Gospel Music Charts. With all he had been through, Tommy was now at the top of his game.

Over the next several years Tommy continued to travel, preach and sing to all that would listen. He maintained a pace that would have been grueling to a man half his age. Always giving his best at every chance he'd get to produce, record or save souls for the Lord. He had spent a lifetime speading the gospel and was about to be recognized for his work, like never before. In 1984 Tommy received his highest honor to date. He had given so much to his congregations, his fans and his industry that the Governor of the state of Kentucky awarded him the status of Kentucky Colonel. Needless to say, he was deeply touched by such a gesture. To think that he, a simple ole mountain preacher was being shown such love by his fellow statesman meant that he was truely "someone" in their eyes.

He was now reaching his sixties and showed no signs of slowing down. The years to follow would be more of the same. Whenever not playing with one of his countless bluegrass ensembles he was on the road with his niece Rose Disher, nephew Dougie Duncan and Tommy's own son, Chuck. He had become an influence to his children such as Sarah Jane was to him. Without hesitation the kids would back him up whenever he'd give them that chance.

Week after week, working aimlessly on project after project, singings, revivals, he was doing it all. The travel seemed endless. He had journeyed down just about every highway covering the U.S., serving the Lord and promoting his music. Although he had assembled and played with some of the best in the business, Tommy was known primarily for his unique vocal styles and individual way of delivering a bluegrass gospel song. His health was good and his voice was still very strong. Yet something was about to open his eyes to the painful reality of living a hard life on the road. One spring afternoon in 1990 would change his health and possibly end his career. Tommy suffered a severe heart attack, which required immediate open heart surgery. Thankful to the prayers of his friends and loved ones, he would recover. With Tommy's health now a serious factor to the future of his career, he like so many others in his condition, began to re-think his direction in life. Three Rivers was the last place Tommy would ever pastor. His physical and emotional change was traumatic. The tables were quickly turning. Over the next ten years he gradually made his way back out on the road but had to limit his work to just an occasional booking here and there. Suffering numerous strokes of different magnitudes became way too commonplace for him. His health just wasn't up to it anymore. So instead of giving up he began to rely on the group he was traveling with to do a larger percentage of the singing so he could rest when he felt the need. One lady in particular would give him hope and lift his spirits. Sister Betty Jean Robinson met the Crank's while on tour through the Midwestern states. Already a frequent presence on the Christian cable network T.B.N. (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and with her own show, "Melody Mountain," Sister Betty Jean was a star in her own right. Yet she's never been beyond the reach of God's people, the Crank's were no exception. She would even go on to record one of Tommy's original songs, "Hunt the Souls of My People".

In spring of 2000, while on a trip to Nashville the possibility of Tommy being inducted to The Country Music Hall of Fame was presented to him and his sons.. Although nothing official has taken place as of yet, just the thought of being inducted was enough to hold Tommy's attention. Suddenly he was walking with the pride and enthusiasm of a rising star. His health and energy seemed to improve almost immediately. It was like a rejuvenation of sorts for his spirit. He became anxious to get back to work. "The Best of Tommy Crank" was released in the fall of 2002. It's twenty-two of Tommy's best songs, beginning with some of his earliest recordings and evolving to some of his latest or most recent songs. His ministry and music can be recognized by his legacy. In twenty-six albums he has poured his heart out to the world. Those of us that have been blessed enough to hear and experience him preach or sing can rely on our memories and these precious recordings to recall a better day with a youthful Tommy and the life of "the Ole Mountain Preacher". Though limited in his mobility,Tommy still traveled with his sons whenever his health would allow, his blood still pumping the rhythm of Bluegrass Gospel music and his love of God.

Sadly, on the early morning of Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 (just 3 months after his 81st birthday) Tommy was finally called home to be with Jesus. All the joy any love he shared with this world would not compare with what glory had waiting for him that day.His last wishes were found in a letter written by his own hand, to his children."I have had a good life, had lots of rough spots but I don't regret a hill I've had to climb. Don't grieve for me. Keep living for the Lord and meet the rest of us up there. We will have a time. I want to stroll over Heaven with you all, and I do mean all.

Excerpts taken from "The Hard Road of a Mountain Preacher"co-written by George Crank and Shirley Ward.

The following albums are available for purchase through Elderly Instruments. Click on a link below to view information on that album and/or to purchase.

Sermons, Songs & Photographs The last recording of a bluegrass gospel legend! You'll be blessed by songs such as "Six Hours on the Cross", "Everybody Will be Happy Over There", "Precious Memories","White Dove" and more.

Stop That Train "Tommy Crank's Bluegrass" gospel train album! "This Train," "Life's Railway to Heaven," "Hello Central Give Me Heaven," "Going Home on the Morning Train," six more.

Singing Revival Songs "Canaan's Land," "Walking in Jerusalem Just Like John," "This Little Light of Mine," "You'd Better Wake Up," "Little David," seven more.

Best of Gospel Bluegrass With Joe and Lily Isaac. "Wicked Path of Sin," "Weighted in the Balance," "I Believe I'll Go Back Home," "Cup of Loneliness," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," six more.

Best of Tommy Crank 22 gospel classics including "Righteous Pathway," "Holiness Man," "Old Cross Road," "Ain't No Grave," "Heavenly Echoes" and more.

Tommy Crank and his Gospel Mountaineers "River of Death," "Just a Rose Will Do," "If You Don't Watch Little Children the Wolf Will Scatter You," "I Saw the Light," eight more.

His Way "Tommy Crank's Anointed Bluegrass" -- "King Jesus," "Holiness Man," "Heaven Blongs To Me," "Stop That Train," eight more.