About HILLBILLYGQ
Born in Mt. Pleasant, PA on January 21, 1969, Eric Edwards grew up with a very strong musical childhood. His father, Norman, played bluegrass and traditional country music, while mother, Viola, loved Elvis Presley and the Oldies, and he and sister, Teresa, listened to the modern rock and country tunes of the times. Eric began his musical career at the age of 10 by performing and winning both Cub Scout Talent Shows he entered. On March 13, 1986, he took up drums and banded with family member Alex Smith and friend Shawn Pravlik at their High School Talent Shows, finishing 2nd in their category. Upon high school graduation, he began various studio recording projects and performed in different bands, including a 5-year run on drums with the country/rock band 'Win, Lose or Draw', playing bass guitar and vocals in the rock band 'Caution' (along with Alex Smith), and the short-lived modern rock bands 'D.K.S.M.' and 'Instryd', again on Bass.
Upon graduating from electronics and computer programming schools, Eric made the bold move to Nashville, TN on September 29, 1997, his mother's birthday. There, he befriended bassist/vocalist/lyricist Peter Bailey, and soon began a lucrative 4-year studio recording career as guitarist/vocalist in the Christian rock band '4N', resulting in 5 CD's of original Christian-based material. Sadly, this was also the same time he lost his mother to cancer on June 27, 2000...a devastating loss. Eric moved back to PA in 2002, albeit temporarily, where he played Bass guitar and vocals for rock band 'Just That', which included once again Alex Smith on guitar and vocals. With the band's demise, he moved back to Nashville for another run with '4N'. On December 14, 2003, he was baptized to the Lord Jesus Christ at the Greater Nashville Church, a personal decision he has never regretted.
After recording the last of the '4N' CD's, Eric began work on his own original material, though this was interrupted by a 1 1/2 year touring adventure of the Rocky Mountain club circuit as drummer/vocalist for country/rock bands 'Young Guns', '3rd World Party', and 'Whiskey Bay', with a 3-month stint as a house band in Casper, WY. Exhausted, Eric returned to Nashville in October 2006, where he took a well-deserved 6-month hiatus from music to focus on his personal life, and on January 7, 2007, he was restored to the Greater Nashville Church. Sadly, Peter Bailey suffered a massive stroke on January 3, 2008, and passed away the following day. Eric decided to take the '4N' music on the road as a tribute to his mentor and friend.
Eric has begun recording material for his new solo CD, and will be booking shows for 2009 in support of the CD and dedicated to Peter's memory, guidance and friendship.
About 4N
'4N' was a studio band Eric Edwards participated in between 1999-2004 in Nashville, TN. With the late Peter Bailey as Bassist, Producer and Lyricist, they recorded 5 CD's worth of material in those years, along with drummers Gary Braun and Bob Belli, as well as a variety of other musicians who lent their talents to the projects. Eric sometimes call this period his "Sgt. Pepper' era, as he was experimenting with different styles and techniques for the first time. These recordings are available for purchase. Hope you enjoy.
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Have a Very Merry Christmas!
S.L.B.
