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A prophetic encounter with country music legend Wilf Carter set a six year old valley-born Eddie on a life-long pursuit of becoming a "hat act singing cowboy". His mother’s voice and father’s fiddle along with his first teacher inspired him to develop and excel at school concerts, contests and other local musical events.
At the age of 16, he accompanied a local music promoter to Wheeling, West Virginia, to attend a Doc & Chickee Williams’ family wedding. He met and spent many hours with stars of the WWVA Jamboree & Radio Show including Cajuns Rusty & Doug Kershaw, Donna Darlene, and a most exciting late-night live radio broadcast with popular DJ Lee Moore. His family and friends back in Canada were thrilled as Lee’s voice introduced Eddie as a "young fella from Ottawa!"
Upon completing a studio audition for Gene Johnson and Lew Platt, Eddie was offered a job leading a band joining their circuit. But notably, he chose to return to his valley home to complete his schooling. He played many shows with Mac Beattie’s Valley Melodiers, the CFRA Happy Wanderers, his family band, and other country acts which included many Ottawa Valley Hall of Famers. While completing degrees at York University and University of Toronto, weekends found him on stages throughout the valley doing what he loved. His day jobs have included office and sales, banking, farming, logging and teaching high school. He has travelled extensively through much of Europe, North America, North Africa and the islands. Performing there has been limited (except in Canada), but his recordings have received considerable radio play, especially in Europe and even in Australia.
In 2000 and 2001, Eddie was a big winner of the Ottawa Valley Music Association awards. From his home base in Combermere he continues working festivals and shows including charity fundraising. Eddie’s writing has been influenced by Gordon Lightfoot and Merle Haggard and he has released three albums with independent Moonlight Music Canada: "Hills and Valleys" (1994), "Road to Nashville" (2001), "Memories of You" (2011), and a fourth is on the way. His song "Taking Charlie Home" (a thank you to CHEO, Ottawa’s Children’s Hospital) remains among his most satisfying accomplishments and hence his favourite charity for the past 30 years.
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