Hi J.,
Is your baby breastfed or bottle-fed? If breastfed, you can take him to bed with you and nurse him to sleep. He cries when he wakes up alone in his crib because he needs to be close to the people he loves the most- that's just what babies need. Adults don't even like to sleep alone- a baby certainly doesn't.
I have 2 children, ages 2 1/2 and 11 1/2, with another on the way, and I have learned that the "crying it out" method does not work. They are only babies for a short time, and he will eventually sleep by himself and not need you as much to comfort him in the night, but right now, he does.
You may feel pressure from other people who ask, "Is he sleeping through the night yet?!" But his sleeping through the night is not representative of you being a successful parent.
I got lots of rest at night with my son, and later, my daughter, sleeping in my bed- they didn't wake up as often as they would have in a crib, because I was always right there to comfort them when they needed me.
Parenting is a full-time job- the shift doesn't end at bedtime! :)
Best wishes to you and your little guy.
J.