Happy New Year! As we start 2014, it's nice to take a look back at some of the cool things that happened in 2013.
For the 4th year in a row I played the Tin Pan South songwriter festival with my good friends Billy Yates, Buddy Jewell, and Jimmy Fortune at the historic Station Inn! It was probably one of the most fun songwriter shows I've had the priveledge to be part of.
In May, I got a call to play with one of my all-time favorite artists, Radney Foster! We played some very awesome shows in TX, opened for Marty Stuart in NJ, and sold out show at the Kessler Theatre that I won't forget. I also got to join Radney during his encore at his show in Nashville at the end of the year (see the video posted on my home page). I'm excited to announce more shows with Radney are coming up in 2014 so please check out my Tour Dates page for upcoming shows!
During CMA Fest, the highlight was definitely Billy Yates' Countriest Of The Country concert where this year I performed with Billy Yates, Jimmy Fortune, Buddy Jewell, Julie Roberts, LuLu Roman, Leona Williams, John Berry, and many more. It's always one of my favorite shows of not only the CMA Fest, but the entire year! Then I finished off the festival performing at a showcase with contestants that appeared on The Voice!
In September, I was honored to get a call from my friend, David Bradley, asking if I would want to participate in a songwriting retreat with a group of soldiers from Fort Campbell orgazined by SAFE (Soldiers And Families Embraced) and The Beat Of Life. I admit I was worried in the beginning thinking I only had a few hours to take someone's story and put it into song, but after spending time with everyone involved, I knew the song would come when it was time. That was secondary to the friendships that were be We laughed. We cried. We laughed a lot more. I was teamed up with country artist, Eric Lee Beddingfield, and National Guard Specialist Josh Johnson. The story that Josh shared wasn't about his tour in Iraq, but something that happened this year. After the tragic shooting at the Naval Yard, Josh was given the duty to lower the flag at the base to half staff. That became the basis of the song we wrote called "How Many More?".
Then in November, all of the writers and soldiers performed all of the songs at the "Singing Their Stories" concert at Austin Peay University which was such a moving experience. Here is a link to the News Channel 5 coverage of the event. Thanks to SAFE: Soldiers And Families Embraced, The Beat Of Life, and all the songwriters and soldiers involved!
http://www.newschannel5.com/story/23921881/concert-provides-musical-therapy-for-soldiers-with-ptsd
At the close of 2014, Radney Foster asked me to perform with him on the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium! What an honor and a milestone! Check out more pictures on my Gallery page!! To stand on the Ryman stage in front of a sold out crowd, broadcasting live was awesome enough, but then Radney gave me such a nice introduction and asked the audience to give me a round of applause...is something I will forever be grateful for and never forget!
I also want to thank all the other artists that I worked with throughout this past year, including Julie Roberts, Ty Herndon, Amber Hayes, and Ray Scott. And I want to especially thank you for your continued support! Looking forward to seeing you on the road or around the Row in the new year!!
Eddie
For the 4th year in a row I played the Tin Pan South songwriter festival with my good friends Billy Yates, Buddy Jewell, and Jimmy Fortune at the historic Station Inn! It was probably one of the most fun songwriter shows I've had the priveledge to be part of.
In May, I got a call to play with one of my all-time favorite artists, Radney Foster! We played some very awesome shows in TX, opened for Marty Stuart in NJ, and sold out show at the Kessler Theatre that I won't forget. I also got to join Radney during his encore at his show in Nashville at the end of the year (see the video posted on my home page). I'm excited to announce more shows with Radney are coming up in 2014 so please check out my Tour Dates page for upcoming shows!
During CMA Fest, the highlight was definitely Billy Yates' Countriest Of The Country concert where this year I performed with Billy Yates, Jimmy Fortune, Buddy Jewell, Julie Roberts, LuLu Roman, Leona Williams, John Berry, and many more. It's always one of my favorite shows of not only the CMA Fest, but the entire year! Then I finished off the festival performing at a showcase with contestants that appeared on The Voice!
In September, I was honored to get a call from my friend, David Bradley, asking if I would want to participate in a songwriting retreat with a group of soldiers from Fort Campbell orgazined by SAFE (Soldiers And Families Embraced) and The Beat Of Life. I admit I was worried in the beginning thinking I only had a few hours to take someone's story and put it into song, but after spending time with everyone involved, I knew the song would come when it was time. That was secondary to the friendships that were be We laughed. We cried. We laughed a lot more. I was teamed up with country artist, Eric Lee Beddingfield, and National Guard Specialist Josh Johnson. The story that Josh shared wasn't about his tour in Iraq, but something that happened this year. After the tragic shooting at the Naval Yard, Josh was given the duty to lower the flag at the base to half staff. That became the basis of the song we wrote called "How Many More?".
Then in November, all of the writers and soldiers performed all of the songs at the "Singing Their Stories" concert at Austin Peay University which was such a moving experience. Here is a link to the News Channel 5 coverage of the event. Thanks to SAFE: Soldiers And Families Embraced, The Beat Of Life, and all the songwriters and soldiers involved!
http://www.newschannel5.com/story/23921881/concert-provides-musical-therapy-for-soldiers-with-ptsd
At the close of 2014, Radney Foster asked me to perform with him on the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium! What an honor and a milestone! Check out more pictures on my Gallery page!! To stand on the Ryman stage in front of a sold out crowd, broadcasting live was awesome enough, but then Radney gave me such a nice introduction and asked the audience to give me a round of applause...is something I will forever be grateful for and never forget!
I also want to thank all the other artists that I worked with throughout this past year, including Julie Roberts, Ty Herndon, Amber Hayes, and Ray Scott. And I want to especially thank you for your continued support! Looking forward to seeing you on the road or around the Row in the new year!!
Eddie