Mouseketeers: The Mooch

Johnny Crawford: The Mooch

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Yes, Johnny Crawford was an original Mouseketeer. But that is only the beginning of his remarkable story. As an actor, he would go on to win an Emmy for his work on The Rifleman. And who can forget his five top 40 hits in the 1960s: Cindy's Birthday, Rumors, Your Nose Is Gonna Grow, Proud, and Patti Ann?

Today, Crawford soldiers on. He has reinvented himself as a big band leader. In this role, Crawford has an uncanny ability to create music that sounds classic. So a tune called The Mooch seemed to be the perfect way to showcase Crawford’s talent. Particularly given that it is almost a note-for-note reproduction of the Duke Ellington original.