Eddie the Strings-Colin Edwards + Musician in Tiverton, EN

ABOUT

Eddie the Strings is a pseudonym because my name, Colin Edwards, has been totally drowned out of the internet because of the motorcyclist of the same name. Locations says Tiverton but actually near Bampton and Dulverton.

My focus has been acoustic fingerpicking Country Blues. The style I prefer is Piedmont using my thumb to play a bass pattern whilst using my fingers for the rhythm and lead lines. Examples include Mississippi John Hurt's Avalon Blues, Robert Wilkins' That's No Way To Get Along and Blind Willie McTell's Statesboro Blues. I am playing at open mic nights to see how new songs go down and looking for relaxed gigs for people who like this music and I'm happy to do opening spots for other musicians. The music I have uploaded is electric with acoustic but I will be adding some live recordings when I have some that are of a reasonable quality.

I have played open mic nights around Devon and Somerset, played small festivals, supported other acts and been featured on local radio. I always get a good response from my audiences and have received a level of compliments that make playing the acoustic guitar worth every moment of effort put in.

I have added videos of a couple of Country Blues gigs (and one of electric because I have it). I am gently looking for more of the same type. I prefer music clubs, small intimate gigs and Blues festivals where people come to see good musicianship and appreciate the music.

I am also slowly building up a collection of my own fingerstyle compositions that draw influence from the instrumental tunes of John Fahey and other American fingerpickers. I have been working with a friend and we have recently released an EP: A Sacred Place, Bob Deakin and Colin Edwards. A YouTube link is on the videos link and it is available on Spotify, Amazon, iTunes etc.

Another area of development has been taking on work as a session guitarist on studio recordings. This has been down to the range of styles I can play and because I act as accompaniment to the songs to support and embellish them. You can hear this in the A Sacred Place EP on which I play all the instruments. My playing is about sensitivity and understanding what is appropriate for the material. I also play bass as you will hear on the EP. I did bass sessions for living many years ago so it's not a bolt-on but experience. Other than a drum machine and keyboards I can get a lot done - again, as you can hear on the EP.

Now I have pretty much got alternate bass fingerpicking under my belt I'm drifting back to electric guitar and using my fingerpicking skills on that instrument. Open to ideas of playing with others but don't want to get tied down with gigging. OK with a gig or two but more interested in creativity. Looking back at my musical career the best band, most fun, had 3 guitars. It makes a big sound but ego guitarists are out of the question for this to work. Blues based rock is an ideal musical direction.

Links:
YouTube acoustic playlist: https://www.youtube/watch?v=GknyTbUBdVg&list=PLezyxY-Ly7DdEmBBlOJDCkpwVVCXGHnSF
YouTube electric EPs Bob Deakin & Colin Edwards: https://www.youtube/playlist?list=PLezyxY-Ly7DeVP7E0UrIiSQ6IVU8iCGMY
Spotify Bob Deakin & Colin Edwards: https://open.spotify/playlist/1Pqqarm4lu3aaG53Mr2BD0?si=39bdc549544f4648
Page: https://www./BobDeakinAndColinEdwards

Screen name:

Eddie the Strings-Colin Edwards

Member since:

Nov 03 2008

Active within 2 weeks

Level of commitment:

Moderately Committed

Years playing music:

45

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

2-3 times per week

Influences

Early Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Page, Little bit of Jeff Beck, Ry Cooder, Lindsey Buckingham, little bit of Santana, Blue Nile, John Mayer, Sufjan Stevens, early Terry Reid, The Band, John Martyn, Monika Heldal, Joe Walsh, War on Drugs, London Grammar, Steely Dan, Bob Dylan, Elmore James, John Fahey, Blind Willy McTell, Kelly Jo Phelps and every other guitarist that played a beautiful and tasteful solo - but definitely not a million notes per second.

Instrument experience:

Lead Guitar:

Expert

Acoustic Guitar:

Expert

EQUIPMENT

Acoustic guitars: Taylor, Finlayson and Fender. Electric guitars: Fender Telecaster, Gibson SG Standard. Amp: Engl 50W Tube combo.

MUSIC