Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KRAYER, Andy
KRAYER, Andy. (Dubuque, IA, May 9, 1952--Dubuque, IA, May 22, 2008) The son of Donald Andrew and Shirley (Avery) Krayer, Andy married Carol Ruley on June 8, 1973, at WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Their family grew to include daughter, Lynne (Jason) Krayer-Luke, of Boston and a son, John Krayer, of Iowa City. (1)
To many Dubuque residents he will be remembered as one of the city's brightest stars of rock n' roll. Andy began his musical career with a drum set at the age of 13. One year later he was performing with local bands in the Dubuque area. He joined the 5th Column band while in high school and played with the Country Comfort and Hard Road during his teenage years. At the age of 21, he became a member of the Ronnie McDonald Band and expanded his career possibilities as a singer. He left the band after a few years to join The Blissful Blues Band and then formed his own band, Krackerjack.
Reflecting on his years of traveling and performing, Andy chose to prioritize his family and performed in The Mississippi Band until 1979. This experience was followed by joining Wheeler, a local country rock band which competed with The Mississippi Band for the most popular band in the Tri-State area. He formed Saddletramp in 1980 and had the opportunity of opening for such national touring companies as Sha Na Na and Hank Williams, Jr. Realizing the changing trends in music, he changed the band members and its name. Emerging as Tramp, the band was a prominent rock band in the Tri-state area. Tramp became the house band for Hyde's, a popular bar in East Dubuque that Andy opened with Tramp guitarist, Rick Hoffman.
In his spare time, Andy earned his certification as a financial planner and became a financial planner with CUNA Mutual at DuTrac Community Credit Union in Dubuque. He retired from the music scene in the early 1990s. (2)
In 2023 Andy Krayer and his musical contributions were remembered by his induction into the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Association Hall of Fame.
---
Source:
1. Obituaries Telegraph Herald," May 25, 2008
2. "Dubuque Native Inducted into Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame," Telegraph Herald, September 8 2023
3. 365INK Magazine, August 31-September 13, 2023, p. 26