Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffett, Stevie Wonder, David Wilcox, Dave Mathews, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, CSNY, Greg Brown, John Mellencamp, REM, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson.
Being a troubadour suits all the things that I love about life. I love to examine life and people and nature. Traveling makes me feel alive because everything is so fresh and new. Meeting new people, being a part of their lives through music, and watching their lives evolve over the years brings deep satisfaction. Then, there is the doing of the thing. Playing live brings out an intense attention to detail and being in the moment. By being with a song and putting all my energy into it, I can forget about everything else but attempting perfection. Music is a vehicle for experiencing perfection. We all know when a note is out of place and we all know when it is just right.
As for my skills, I sometimes think and feel like I am truly gifted. Other times, I feel like just another guy with a guitar. Each person sees me and hears music differently based on their preference and past experience. Realizing this has allowed me to focus on just writing whatever feels real to me and hoping there are enough human beings who relate.
I never have really considered myself a musician. A musician is someone who can play anything, can read music, practices all the time, and knows what key he is playing in. I have always thought of myself as a songwriter that has a need and desire to create and express. I am always in search of magical moments in life and playing music has allowed me so many heightened experiences.
I grew up outside of DC in Maryland, lived in LA for a while, and now reside in Scottsdale, AZ with my wife and sons and dog sake. I'd like to think we are a pretty happy clan that hangs around the house most of the time. But, the energy soon gets pent up and longs for jumping in the van and exploring open roads once again. Exploring roads and searching for perfection in a song or a purple flower at a rest stop.
Other players over the years have included Jeremiah, my brother Dominic, Dave Cates, Eric Douglas, Simeon Flick, Randy Ruff, Mark Tipton and randomly many more. I've opened for some stellar players over the years like Shawn Mullins, David Wilcox, Tab Benoit, Richie Havens.....and have played in many little joints, backyards, coffeehouses, casinos, dives, hotels, and on streets all over the great USA!
Overall, I hope you are one of the people that can take my songs into your life and enjoy them to the fullest. If you're not, we can probably find common ground elsewhere.... even if its just the love of breathing itself.
Life is good. December '08
Eddie
