Eddie Erickson

Eddie Erickson is a fine guitarist and banjoist, an excellent singer, and a very funny ad-libber. Erickson, the son of an amateur guitarist, started playing ukulele when he was seven. He has also played trombone and cornet (including at Disney World) but eventually settled on banjo and guitar, which he began on when he was 13. He started playing professionally in San Jose in the mid-'60s and spent time working at both Disney World and Disneyland. He was also a member of the Banjo Kings. From 1978-1983 he led the Riverboat Rascals on a riverboat in Disneyland. Erickson and singer/washboard player Sue Kroninger co-led Fast Eddie & Big Mama Sue for years, performing good-time music. He also worked with the Abalone Stompers in Monterey and with cornetist Jackie Coon as the Jack 'n Ed Show. Erickson also led his own album for Arbors. Most important has been his association with singer Rebecca Kilgore, trombonist Dan Barrett, and bassist Joel Forbes in the group BED since 2002. With BED, Erickson has been a regular on the classic jazz festival and party circuit, recording three CDs for the Blue Swing label. The group is a perfect forum for his humor, his vocals ("Easy Street" has become his signature song), and his guitar and banjo work. ~ Scott Yanow