THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408110188
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
The band's name is ``Eddie From Ohio.'' They're not actually from Ohio, although there is a guy named Eddie in the group. But Eddie is not from Ohio.
``The story's a lot less interesting than the name,'' says guitarist Robbie Schaefer. ``It's just a nickname one of Eddie's ex-girlfriends gave him.''
Eddie From Ohio is an acoustic quartet from the Washington, D.C., area. Schaefer is joined by bassist/vocalist Mike Clem, chief vocalist Julie Murphy, and percussionist/conga player Eddie Hartness.
Longtime friends Schaefer and Clem hooked up with Murphy in early l99l. After just a few rehearsals, Hartness, who had been playing with Schaefer and Clem in the Jellyfish Blues Band, joined the group to form the quartet.
During the past three years, the band has played more than 500 dates, including several shows headlining at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Va., and The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. In 1993, they were nominated for a Washington Area Music Award as Best Contemporary Folk Band.
Early this year, Eddie From Ohio released its debut album, ``Actually Not,'' on Virginia Soul Records. The album features 20 original songs.
The first track, ``North Pacific Rain,'' is a nostalgic piece highlighted by the a cappella first verse.
Clem and Schaefer are the band's principal songwriters. Their songs set scenes and then tell stories. Among the album's best is ``HoJo's on Waukegan,'' a gentle song about the beginning of a marriage and the 30 years that follow. ``Three Fine Daughters of Farmer Brown'' is a playful slice of Americana featuring some Grateful Dead-ish vocals and guitar work.
Three of the cuts on ``Actually Not'' were recorded live at The Birchmere. The other tracks were done at Bias Recording Studio in Springfield, Va.
Many top D.C. area musicians contributed to the recording. The hired hands are Michael Lille and Pete Kennedy on guitar; Mike Auldridge providing dobro, lap and pedal steel; Lazo Momchilovich on oboe; Jennene Estus playing cello; and Rich Schmidt adding violin.
Another big plus is singer Murphy. Her voice, just this side of Melissa Etheridge, adds nuance to every word she sings. The four-part harmony brings to mind Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in their heyday. Hartness' percussion work gives the music a solid bottom end, rarely heard on ``folky'' albums.
The album cover features a young black boy who appears to be flying. The photo was taken by a 9-year-old homeless child from D.C. named Daniel Hall. Daniel participated in a program called ``Shooting Back,'' run by a non-profit group that puts homeless kids to work with camera in hand.
My friends, who are growing weary of the radio-fed-over-the-top music, are always asking me if I've heard anything good lately. Actually, yes: Eddie From Ohio's ``Actually Not.''
I can't wait to hear the band live. Are my old folk roots showing? ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Eddie From Ohio, an acoustic quartet from the Washington area, will
play Sunday and Monday at Kelly's in Nags Head.
WHERE & WHEN
Who: Eddie From Ohio
When: Sunday, Monday, show at 10 p.m.
Where: Kelly's, milepost 10 on U.S. Route 158, Nags Head
For information: 441-4116
by CNB