Crayton was born inRockdale, Texas.[2] He began playing guitar seriously after moving to California in 1935, later settling inOakland.[3] While there, he absorbed the music ofT-Bone Walker, who taught Crayton the basics of electric guitar work.[4] Crayton developed his own unique approach.
In 1950, Crayton and his Orchestra performed at the sixth Cavalcade of Jazz concert, held atWrigley Field in Los Angeles and produced byLeon Hefflin, Sr. on June 25. Featured on the same day wereLionel Hampton,Roy Milton's Orchestra,Dinah Washington,Tiny Davis and Her Hell Divers, and other artists. 16,000 were reported to be in attendance. The concert ended early because of a fracas while Lionel Hampton played "Flying High".[7]
Great Rhythm & Blues Oldies, Volume 5: Pee Wee Crayton, Blues Spectrum (Johnny Otis's label) LP BS-105 (1974)
Everyday I Have the Blues, Big Joe Turner with Crayton and Sonny Stitt, Pablo LP 2310-818 (1978)
Have No Fear Joe Turner Is Here, Big Joe Turner and Crayton, Pablo LP 2310-863 (1981)
Peace of Mind, Charly R&B LP CFM-601 (1982), 10" vinyl LP containing all 10 tracks that Crayton recorded for Vee Jay Records in 1956–1957
Blues Guitar Genius: Pee Wee Crayton, Volume 1, Ace LP CH-23 (1982), 10" vinyl LP containing tracks recorded for Modern Records, 1949–1952
Rocking Down on Central Avenue: Pee Wee Crayton, Volume Two, Ace LP CHA-61 (1982), tracks recorded for Modern Records.
Make Room for Pee Wee, Murray Brothers LP MB-1005 (recorded August 1983)
Early Hour Blues, Murray Brothers LP MB-1007 (recorded December 1984)
Pee Wee Crayton: Memorial Album, Ace LP CHD-177 (1986), tracks recorded for Modern Records
After Hours Boogie: Pee Wee Crayton and His Guitar, Blues Boy LP BB-307 (1988), tracks recorded from 1947 to 1962 for numerous labels, with Crayton's first demo recording, "Pee Wee's Hop" (1945), a piano–guitar–bass instrumental
Pee Wee's Blues: The Complete Aladdin and Imperial Recordings, Capitol-EMI 36292 (1996)
Blues After Hours: The Essential Pee Wee Crayton, Blues Encore 52045 (1996), recordings made for numerous labels, 1947–1956
The Modern Legacy, Volume 1, Ace CHD-632 (1996)
Early Hour Blues, Blind Pig 5052 (1999), CD containing both Murray Brothers albums
Blues Guitar Magic: The Modern Legacy, Volume 2, Ace CHD-767 (2000)
Blues After Hours: The Essential Pee Wee Crayton, Indigo 2526 (2002), tracks recorded for Modern Records, 1948–1951
Texas Blues Jumpin' in Los Angeles: The Modern Music Sessions 1948–1951, Ace CHD-1400 (2014)
The Pee Wee Crayton Collection 1947–1962, Acrobat ADDCD-3202 (2017) 2CD
Texas Hop and Selected Singles (A's & B's): His Golden Decade 1947–1957, Jasmine JASMCD-3139 (2020) 2CD
