I was a pre-veterinary student attending Green River Community College in Auburn, WA. It was there while taking a plant biology class that I met Eddie's step-son, Sean. It was through Sean that I met Eddie. I was thrilled to meet Eddie because, Rhythm of the Rain was one of my favorite songs as a boy growing up in San Diego. 

At the time, Eddie, Jackie (Eddie's former wife) and Sean were living in Maple Valley, Washington. It seems to me Eddie and Jackie had a son as well, but I don't really remember. I was an older student, having gone through the military. As a result, I had more in common age-wise and life-in-general with Eddie and we became good friends. Eddie helped me buy my first guitar and went with me to Seattle Music to help me get the best deal, which he did. He talked the salesperson down over $100.

 Eddie then began giving me $10/hr guitar lessons, a pittance really. Can you imagine that? A man who was an absolutely amazing guitar player giving me guitar lessons. As it turned out, I was far too busy with studies to devote much time to the guitar. I ultimately was accepted to Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1994. As life would have it, I lost track of Eddie. But, I often thought of him and in later years tried to find him a few times with no luck.

So, here I sit having just retired after a long career as a veterinarian and I decided to try to find Eddie one last time. I was very sad to find that Eddie had passed away when I found this obituary. It instantly brought tears to my eyes as I remembered our friendship from over 35 years ago. Eddie was a kind, generous good person with an infectious smile and laugh. I wish I had been able to connect with him one last time. I will always have fond memories of Eddie. 

I worked with Eddie while I was living in San Diego from 1979 to 1981 and then again years later when he hired me to play bass and sing background vocals on his recordings. Two of those songs made Billboard's Hot Country's list in 1989 and then again in 1990.

The Cascades hit song "Rhythm Of The Rain" according to BMI was the ninth most played song on both radio and television of the 20th century. I remember Eddie telling me that Glen Campbell played rhythm guitar on the song as well as other wrecking crew members Hal Blaine and Carol Kaye. Eddie also told me when he was eleven years old he appeared on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. It sounds like his Mom really encouraged him to pursue his music career from a very early age.

Eddie did so much for me during those two years in SD and again in the late '80's up in Seattle. Eddie lobbied for me to be hired to play bass and sing background vocals on the recordings that made Billboard's Hot Country list. I remember Eddie telling me that Norman Ratner, the producer of the project asking Eddie "Why do you want this guy to be on the recordings? Eddie replied to Norman "Because I trust him, if somethings not right I know he will speak up and tell me." The first group of songs were pitched to record labels in LA. They all passed and said he sounds like he would be a good fit for Nashville.

Norman and Eddie invited me to Eddie's home in Maple Valley. There Eddie and Norman asked if I would like to be involved in recording six songs to be pitched in Nashville. Norman said I could hire anyone I wanted to play on the six songs. I said let's use Ricky Johnson on drums and just hire Terry Davision because Terry plays guitar, pedal steel, dobro and also can cover some of the keyboard parts on his midi guitar. The songs were done in just a few days.

Eddie also told me that on one occasion he was setup to try and write a few songs with Don Schitz while Eddie was in Nashville. Some of Don's hit records were the "Gambler", "On The Other Hand", "When You Say Nothing At All" and ironically "Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain."

One memorable story that I've never forgot was while we were playing in Prince Rupert, BC. We were there when the "Miracle on Ice" happened on Febuary 22nd, 1980. We were able to view it in real time, everyone in the States saw it later that evening. We were all jumping up and down while it was happening wishing we were back home. Later in the evening when we arrived at the club we were playing at I noticed how many cars were parked outside. I said to everyone there must be a banquet going on.

When we entered the club we took a right and walked down the hall. I remember someone saying "they're here." We all walked into the room and stood in the middle of the dance floor. We then noticed that there were a couple of hundred Canadian's  all standing there all facing us. There wasn't an open spot anywhere in the club. All of a sudden everyone started clapping and walking toward us each one taking turns embracing us. They were all there to pay tribute to the American kid's that beat the Russian's, who were at that time considered the worlds best hockey team and to the American's that were in town performing for the Canadian citizens of Prince Rupert . Needless to say it was a great evening of celebration.

Eddie was an incredibly kind person and really loved his family. When we were on the road he always mentioned how much he missed them. He was like a father figure for me. I really miss him. You really never know how much of an impact you can have on people's lives. Eddie really had a great impact on mine.