Video Interview Eddy Raven
by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
Eddy Raven’s style of music is rich in lyrical imagery and strong in roots. He has been writing and playing a mixture of rock, country, Cajun and blues since he was a Louisiana teenager. In fact his first single release for the Georgia based Cosmo label “Once A Fool” was one of his own compositions.
He gained a huge all around music biz knowledge at Lafayette’s La Louisianne label, selling records and working in the facilities sound studios. It was there that Raven first met and worked with great regional stars such as Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Dale and Grace (“I’m Leaving It All Up To You”) and John Fred and the Playboy band. The great Bobby Charles (“Walking to New Orleans” and “See You Later Alligator”) lived only a few miles away. He cut one of Eddy’s songs and became something of a writing mentor to the you writer/artist.
La Louisanne added Eddy to its roster and released his “That Cajun Country Sound.” This release led Opry star Jimmy C. Newman to invite Raven to Nashville. Acuff Rose signed the young man as a staff writer and he went back to Louisiana determined to write a hit song. He met that goal writing “Country Green” and “Touch The Morning” for Don Gibson and “Good Morning Country Rain” for Jeannie C. Riley. With the encouragement of Acuff Rose’s Don Grant, Eddy made the move to Nashville to pursue his music career full time.
Once in Nashville, Eddy continued writing songs for other artists such as Roy Orbison, Walon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Tanya Tucker, George Jones, Kenny Chesney, Chris LeDoux, Lorrie Morgan, Gene Watson, Johnny Cash, Lynn Anderson, Connie Smith, Faron Young, Moe Bandy, Brenda Lee, and many more.
When Don Gant moved to ABC Records he signed Raven as an artist. What followed was a string of charted songs which didn’t bring him stardom, but made him an interesting prospect to fans and labels alike. Five years later he signed with Elektra Records cut the breakthrough song “I Should’ve Called.” Just to prove that was no fluke, Raven followed with “Who Do You Know In California,” which established him as a stylist of note.
Eddy started his own publishing company and kept writing songs for himself as well as others. In 1982 his “Thank God For Kids” became a monumental hit for the Oak Ridge Boys, giving him financial breathing room and the opportunity to stretch a little in his own work.
The following year, after signing with RCA, Eddy wrote and co-produced his first #1, “I’ve Got Mexico.” It was the first in a long line of hits!
Eddy’s attention to quality has consistently paid off. He’s been at the top of the charts with music that has often defied classification and was never run-of-the-mill. This is an artist who, without sacrificing any musical integrity, has had 8 No. 1 songs a “Bayou Boys,” “I’ve Got Mexico,” “Shine, Shine, Shine,” “I’m Gonna Get You,” “Joe Knows How To Live,” “Till You Cry,” “In A Letter To You,” and “She’s Gonna Win Your Heart.” Even his Songs that did not hit No. 1 went on to become country classics. Take for example, the top-10 cuts, “Sooner Or Later,” “Island,” “You’re Playing Hard To Forget,” “I Could Use Another You,” “Right Hand Man,” “You’re Never To Old For Young Love,” “I Should’ve Called,” “Who Do You Know In California,” and “A Little Bit Crazy.” In short he has 30 ASCAP song writing awards, 8 No. 1’s, 14 Top 10’s, 23 Top 100’s, and 24 Albums to his credit.
Raven keeps a busy schedule writing, recording, and touring year round. He has recently recorded and released a CD of his songs with the bluegrass group “Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road”. The title is “All Grassed Up”.
Sammy Kershaw recorded a song of Eddy’s for his “Swamp Poppin” C.D. and asked Eddy to sing it with him. The song called “Alligator Bayou” was a single from the early Louisiana recordings of Eddys.
Raven still writes and does song writer shows with his long time friend and guitar player Frank Myers.
Raven has always said writing was his first love and how great a gift he was given.
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