Eddie From Ohio
Encyclopedia
Eddie from Ohio is an American folk
band.
Formed in 1991 in Northern Virginia
, the band has achieved considerable local success, winning four Wammies
(Washington, D.C.
area music awards) and a nationwide following, all outside the purview of major record label
s.
. All four band members are natives of Virginia
, and the band has recorded many songs influenced by their deep Virginia roots. The band's name comes from a nickname given to Hartness by a college friend, who coined the nickname as a tribute to the lead singer of fIREHOSE
, Ed 'From Ohio' Crawford.
Childhood friends Robbie Schaefer and Michael Clem both attended Virginia's James Madison University
, where they founded the Jellyfish Blues Band. It was at JMU that they met Eddie Hartness, a native of Arlington, Virginia, and a product of the same high school that also turned out such acting superstars as Sandra Bullock
, Warren Beatty
and Shirley MacLaine
.
Schaefer had stayed in contact with Julie Murphy (now Murphy Wells), whom he'd met while they'd attended rival Virginia high schools. One evening, when Clem and Wells added their voices to Schaefer's during a set in a solo gig, the idea for EFO was formed. The trio invited percussionist Hartness to join them, and, in 1991, the nascent folk group came into being.
Their early repertoire of covers (by such artists as The Byrds
and Blues Traveler
) was soon augmented by originals from songwriters Schaefer and Clem, and over time the band developed a distinctive folk sound, marrying two acoustic guitars with hand percussion and strong four-part harmonies.
The band saw relative success from the beginning. They remained independent. They launched their own Virginia Soul record label, began producing cassettes and CDs, and handled their own business and bookings. They soon landed themselves a Tuesday night residency at a local Northern Virginia bar, the Bad Habits Grille. After just six months, the venue went from no cover and small audiences to a $5 cover charge and a packed house every Tuesday.
With this gig as a springboard, the band's following grew. EFO's first three CDs drew the attention of booking agency Fleming and Associates. Under their auspices, the band embarked on longer, more ambitious tours.
In 1998, the Washington Area Music Association
honored EFO with a Wammie as "Best Contemporary Folk Group." Later that year, EFO played their farewell gig at Bad Habits and began regularly touring beyond the Washington, DC, metro area. They built a following that covered both coasts and the American heartland, with performances from Berkeley, California, to New York, New York, and frequent returns to the band's Virginia home that included sold-out performances at such venues as the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
.
In September 2005 vocalist Wells was diagnosed with breast cancer. The band subsequently reduced their tour schedule, and the members began to pursue other interests.
Wells is now a cancer survivor, active in cancer cure fundraising. Clem and Schaefer continue to sing and tour independently. Schaefer has a respected children's music show, "Robbie Schaefer's Stuck In a Real Tall Tree," on XM Satellite Radio
, where he serves as Music Director for XM Kids
, and in 2004 released his second solo album entitled "In the Flesh." In 2006, Clem released his first solo endeavor, "1st and 40," produced by bandmate Hartness. Hartness himself continues to play and tour with local bands such as Brother Shamus.
The band continues to perform, but on a limited basis. You can also occasionally catch a sneak performance of EFO forerunner, the Jellyfish Blues Band.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
band.
Formed in 1991 in Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
, the band has achieved considerable local success, winning four Wammies
Washington Area Music Awards
The Washington Area Music Awards are a music award for Washington, D.C. area performers, issued by the Washington Area Music Association . The awards are issued at an annual awards program....
(Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
area music awards) and a nationwide following, all outside the purview of major record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
s.
Members
- Julie Murphy Wells - vocals
- Robbie Schaefer - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals - Eddie Hartness - percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, vocals - Michael Clem - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, vocals
History
Name notwithstanding, the band is not from OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. All four band members are natives of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, and the band has recorded many songs influenced by their deep Virginia roots. The band's name comes from a nickname given to Hartness by a college friend, who coined the nickname as a tribute to the lead singer of fIREHOSE
FIREHOSE
Firehose was an alternative rock band consisting of Mike Watt , Ed Crawford , and George Hurley .-History:...
, Ed 'From Ohio' Crawford.
Childhood friends Robbie Schaefer and Michael Clem both attended Virginia's James Madison University
James Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
, where they founded the Jellyfish Blues Band. It was at JMU that they met Eddie Hartness, a native of Arlington, Virginia, and a product of the same high school that also turned out such acting superstars as Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Annette Bullock is an Academy Award winning American actress and producer who rose to fame in the 1990s after roles in successful films such as Demolition Man, Speed, The Net, A Time to Kill, and While You Were Sleeping. She continued with films such as Miss Congeniality, The Lake House,...
, Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty born March 30, 1937) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and director. He has received a total of fourteen Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Director in 1982. He has also won four Golden Globe Awards including the Cecil B. DeMille Award.-Early life and...
and Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is an American film and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist and author, well-known for her beliefs in new age spirituality and reincarnation. She has written a large number of autobiographical works, many dealing with her spiritual beliefs as well as her Hollywood career...
.
Schaefer had stayed in contact with Julie Murphy (now Murphy Wells), whom he'd met while they'd attended rival Virginia high schools. One evening, when Clem and Wells added their voices to Schaefer's during a set in a solo gig, the idea for EFO was formed. The trio invited percussionist Hartness to join them, and, in 1991, the nascent folk group came into being.
Their early repertoire of covers (by such artists as The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
and Blues Traveler
Blues Traveler
Blues Traveler is a rock band, formed in Princeton, New Jersey in 1987. The band has been influenced by a variety of genres, including blues-rock, psychedelic rock, folk rock, soul, and Southern rock...
) was soon augmented by originals from songwriters Schaefer and Clem, and over time the band developed a distinctive folk sound, marrying two acoustic guitars with hand percussion and strong four-part harmonies.
The band saw relative success from the beginning. They remained independent. They launched their own Virginia Soul record label, began producing cassettes and CDs, and handled their own business and bookings. They soon landed themselves a Tuesday night residency at a local Northern Virginia bar, the Bad Habits Grille. After just six months, the venue went from no cover and small audiences to a $5 cover charge and a packed house every Tuesday.
With this gig as a springboard, the band's following grew. EFO's first three CDs drew the attention of booking agency Fleming and Associates. Under their auspices, the band embarked on longer, more ambitious tours.
In 1998, the Washington Area Music Association
Washington Area Music Association
The Washington Area Music Association is a regional music industry not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.. WAMA's activity centers around highlighting the area's cultural contribution by assisting regional musicians with becoming recognized on a national scale.The organization...
honored EFO with a Wammie as "Best Contemporary Folk Group." Later that year, EFO played their farewell gig at Bad Habits and began regularly touring beyond the Washington, DC, metro area. They built a following that covered both coasts and the American heartland, with performances from Berkeley, California, to New York, New York, and frequent returns to the band's Virginia home that included sold-out performances at such venues as the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, known locally in the Washington, D.C. area as simply Wolf Trap, is a performing arts center located on 130 acres of national park land in Wolf Trap, Virginia...
.
In September 2005 vocalist Wells was diagnosed with breast cancer. The band subsequently reduced their tour schedule, and the members began to pursue other interests.
Wells is now a cancer survivor, active in cancer cure fundraising. Clem and Schaefer continue to sing and tour independently. Schaefer has a respected children's music show, "Robbie Schaefer's Stuck In a Real Tall Tree," on XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
, where he serves as Music Director for XM Kids
XM Kids
Kids Place Live is a channel on Sirius XM Radio that is the result of a merger between XM Kids and Kids Stuff.Sirius. Until February 9, 2010, DirecTV carried this on channel 868, but dropped Sirius XM programming in favor of going to MusicTap...
, and in 2004 released his second solo album entitled "In the Flesh." In 2006, Clem released his first solo endeavor, "1st and 40," produced by bandmate Hartness. Hartness himself continues to play and tour with local bands such as Brother Shamus.
The band continues to perform, but on a limited basis. You can also occasionally catch a sneak performance of EFO forerunner, the Jellyfish Blues Band.
Discography
All releases are on the band's own label, Virginia Soul Records.- EFO Live at the Birchmere (cassette only), 1991
- A Juggler on His Blades, 1992
- Actually Not, 1993
- I Rode Fido Home, 1995
- Big Noise, 1997
- Portable EFO Show, 1998
- Looking Out the Fishbowl, 1999
- Quick, 2001
- 9 Eleven Relief, 2001
- Three Rooms, 2003
- This Is Me, 2004
External links
- Band's official website
- Robbie Schaefer's website
- Robbie Schaefer's Children's Album website
- Michael Clem's website
- Brother Shamus: Eddie Hartness is also a member of this band
- Eddie From Ohio collection on the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive