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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZRAVEN, Eddy(b Edward Garvin Futch, 19 Aug. '44, Lafayette LA) Country singer, songwriter with strong Cajun connection; made impact as performer after years as successful writer. Began as rock'n'roller, first band '57; moved to Georgia '60, had own radio show, gained local hit on Cosmo label; back to Louisiana '64 singing and recording country blues with Bobby Charles; also worked with Edgar and Johnny Winter. Moved to country music; Jimmy C. Newman helped get writer's contract with Acuff-Rose; first success was 'Country Green', top five hit by Don Gibson '71: other songs placed with Jeannie C. Riley, Roys Acuff, Clark and Orbison; also Connie Smith, Moe Bandy, Conway Twitty. Began recording '73 with ABC, Monument '78, Dimension '80, slowly climbing up charts to top ten on Elektra '81--2, whereupon Elektra dropped him: joined RCA and made top slot with 'I Got Mexico' '84, many more top tens, through '89 on Universal; moved to Capitol but chart entries stopped. Remained a member of the Opry and continued touring, sometimes with Jo-El Sonnier. LPs incl. The Cajun Country Sound '73 on La Louisianne, others on ABC-Dot, Dimension, Elektra, RCA; Temporary Sanity '89 on Universal, Right For The Flight '91 on Capitol, Cajun Cookin' '96 with Sonnier on K-Tel. |