Eddy Raven
Encyclopedia
Edward Garvin Futch is an American country music
artist known professionally as Eddy Raven. Known for his Cajun
-influenced country music, Raven has been a recording artist since 1962. He has charted more than thirty-five singles in his career, including the Number One hits "I Got Mexico
", "Shine, Shine, Shine
", "I'm Gonna Get You
", "Joe Knows How to Live
", "In a Letter to You
" and "Bayou Boys
", as well as several more Top Ten hits, including seventeen consecutive Top Tens between 1984 and 1990.
, on August 19, 1944, as one of 11 children. Influenced by Cajun
music, the country music
sounds from popular radio broadcasts such as the Louisiana Hayride
, New Orleans blues
, and the new sounds of rock and roll
, Raven first played in a band at age thirteen. Raven later went to work for a radio station in Georgia, where in 1962 he self-released the single "Once a Fool" under the name Eddy Raven. When his family moved back to Louisiana, Raven worked at a record store called La Louisianne, where he recorded and released his first album, That Cajun Country Sound.
Raven's record was heard by Jimmy C. Newman
, who helped him sign to a publishing contract with Acuff-Rose Music
. There, he wrote hit tunes for Don Gibson
, Connie Smith
, Jeannie C. Riley
, and many others. He also wrote The Oak Ridge Boys
' 1982 single "Thank God for Kids". Eventually, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee
where he started recording for himself in 1974, having charted hits on ABC Records
, including three albums and the #27 single "Good News, Bad News." He later recorded for Monument Records
and then Dimension Records, where he released the album Eyes, although none of its chart singles were major hits.
, Desperate Dreams. This album accounted for five singles, including his first Top Ten, "She's Playing Hard to Forget." Due to management issues, however, he left Elektra after only one album and switched to RCA Records
.
Raven had his first Number One country hit in 1984 with "I Got Mexico", the first single from his RCA debut I Could Use Another You. This album also produced consecutive #9 hits in its title track and "She's Gonna Win Your Heart." Continuing his streak of hit singles was 1985's Love & Other Hard Times, which also accounted for three more Top Ten hits. Right Hand Man followed in 1985, producing his second #1 in "Shine, Shine, Shine" in 1987. His final RCA album, The Best of Eddy Raven, accounted for two more Number Ones in "I'm Gonna Get You" and "Joe Knows How to Live" before he exited the label.
In 1989, he switched to Universal
, with Temporary Sanity being released in 1989. Its first two singles ("In a Letter to You" and "Bayou Boys") both topped the charts. In 1990, Universal
merged into Capitol Nashville. Temporary Sanity was re-released on Capitol Nashville followed by two more top ten songs (the #6 "Sooner or Later" and #10 "Island"). After it came "Zydeco Lady" which stopped at #56. Another album for Capitol Nashville, Right for the Flight, produced two charted singles, "Rock Me In The Rhythm Of Your Love" and "Two Much Candy For A Dime". Raven left the label after its release.
He continued to record for independent labels throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, including a guest appearance alongside Jo-El Sonnier
on The Bellamy Brothers' "Catahoula" and the 2001 single from his Living In Black And White release (RMG), "Cowboys Don't Cry" which spent one week at #60. In 2007, Raven could be found again on Joe Rucker
's Untangle My Mind album on the song "Bermuda Shorts". According to his web site, Raven is still performing concert dates.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist known professionally as Eddy Raven. Known for his Cajun
Cajun music
Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin...
-influenced country music, Raven has been a recording artist since 1962. He has charted more than thirty-five singles in his career, including the Number One hits "I Got Mexico
I Got Mexico
"I Got Mexico" is a 1984 country music single made famous by Eddy Raven. Co-written with Frank J. Myers, the song became Raven's first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in June 1984, and spent a total of thirteen weeks in the top 40 of the country chart.The song became the first No...
", "Shine, Shine, Shine
Shine, Shine, Shine
"Shine, Shine, Shine" is a 1987 single written by Ken Bell and Bud McGuire and recorded by Eddy Raven. "Shine, Shine, Shine" was Eddy Raven's second number one country single, his first since "I Got Mexico" three years before. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of...
", "I'm Gonna Get You
I'm Gonna Get You
"I Gonna Get You" is a song written by Dennis Linde. It was first recorded by Billy Swan, whose version was released as a single in 1987 and went to #63 on the U.S. country singles charts....
", "Joe Knows How to Live
Joe Knows How to Live
"Joe Knows How to Live" is a 1988 single written by Troy Seals, Max D. Barnes, and Graham Lyle and recorded by Eddy Raven. "Joe Knows How to Live" was Eddy Raven's fourth number one on the country chart...
", "In a Letter to You
In a Letter to You
"In a Letter to You" is a song written by Dennis Linde and originally recorded by Shakin' Stevens. His version of the song went to #10 on the UK Singles Chart....
" and "Bayou Boys
Bayou Boys
"Bayou Boys" is a 1989 single by Eddy Raven, who co-wrote the song with Troy Seals and Frank J. Myers. "Bayou Boys" was Eddy Raven's sixth and final number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent fourteen weeks on the country chart .-Chart...
", as well as several more Top Ten hits, including seventeen consecutive Top Tens between 1984 and 1990.
Biography
Edward Garvin Futch was born in Lafayette, LouisianaLafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
, on August 19, 1944, as one of 11 children. Influenced by Cajun
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
music, the country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
sounds from popular radio broadcasts such as the Louisiana Hayride
Louisiana Hayride
Louisiana Hayride was a radio and later television country music show broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, that during its heyday from 1948 to 1960 helped to launch the careers of some of the greatest names in American music...
, New Orleans blues
New Orleans blues
New Orleans rhythm and blues refers to a type of R&B music from the U.S. city of New Orleans, Louisiana, characterized by extensive use of piano and horn sections, complex syncopated "second line" rhythms, and lyrics that reflect New Orleans life....
, and the new sounds of rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, Raven first played in a band at age thirteen. Raven later went to work for a radio station in Georgia, where in 1962 he self-released the single "Once a Fool" under the name Eddy Raven. When his family moved back to Louisiana, Raven worked at a record store called La Louisianne, where he recorded and released his first album, That Cajun Country Sound.
Raven's record was heard by Jimmy C. Newman
Jimmy C. Newman
Jimmy Yves Newman , better known as Jimmy C. Newman , is an American singer and a long time star of the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:Newman was born near Big Mamou, Louisiana...
, who helped him sign to a publishing contract with Acuff-Rose Music
Acuff-Rose Music
Acuff-Rose Music was an American music publishing firm formed by Roy Acuff and Fred Rose in Nashville, Tennessee. Acuff-Rose's honest behavior towards their writers set them apart from other music publishing firms at the time and lead them to fame throughout the 50's, 60's, 70's.-History:Acuff-Rose...
. There, he wrote hit tunes for Don Gibson
Don Gibson
Donald Eugene "Don" Gibson was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson penned such country standards as "Sweet Dreams" and "I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjoyed a string of country hits from 1957 into the early 1970s.-Biography:Don Gibson was...
, Connie Smith
Connie Smith
Connie Smith is an American country music artist. She began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest near Columbus, Ohio, which attracted the attention of country songwriter Bill Anderson...
, Jeannie C. Riley
Jeannie C. Riley
Jeannie C. Riley is an American country music and gospel singer. She is best known for her 1968 country and pop hit "Harper Valley PTA" , which missed becoming the Billboard Country and Pop number one hit at the same time...
, and many others. He also wrote The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet.The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in southern gospel during the 1950s...
' 1982 single "Thank God for Kids". Eventually, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
where he started recording for himself in 1974, having charted hits on ABC Records
ABC Records
ABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H....
, including three albums and the #27 single "Good News, Bad News." He later recorded for Monument Records
Monument Records
Monument Records was an American record label, Washington, D.C. named for the Washington Monument, founded in 1958, by Fred Foster and Buddy Deane . Buddy Deane soon left the company, and in the early 60's bought KOTN in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he retired to until his death...
and then Dimension Records, where he released the album Eyes, although none of its chart singles were major hits.
1980s
1981 saw the release of Raven's breakthrough album for Elektra RecordsElektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
, Desperate Dreams. This album accounted for five singles, including his first Top Ten, "She's Playing Hard to Forget." Due to management issues, however, he left Elektra after only one album and switched to RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
.
Raven had his first Number One country hit in 1984 with "I Got Mexico", the first single from his RCA debut I Could Use Another You. This album also produced consecutive #9 hits in its title track and "She's Gonna Win Your Heart." Continuing his streak of hit singles was 1985's Love & Other Hard Times, which also accounted for three more Top Ten hits. Right Hand Man followed in 1985, producing his second #1 in "Shine, Shine, Shine" in 1987. His final RCA album, The Best of Eddy Raven, accounted for two more Number Ones in "I'm Gonna Get You" and "Joe Knows How to Live" before he exited the label.
In 1989, he switched to Universal
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, with Temporary Sanity being released in 1989. Its first two singles ("In a Letter to You" and "Bayou Boys") both topped the charts. In 1990, Universal
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
merged into Capitol Nashville. Temporary Sanity was re-released on Capitol Nashville followed by two more top ten songs (the #6 "Sooner or Later" and #10 "Island"). After it came "Zydeco Lady" which stopped at #56. Another album for Capitol Nashville, Right for the Flight, produced two charted singles, "Rock Me In The Rhythm Of Your Love" and "Two Much Candy For A Dime". Raven left the label after its release.
He continued to record for independent labels throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, including a guest appearance alongside Jo-El Sonnier
Jo-El Sonnier
Jo-El Sonnier is an American singer-songwriter and accordionist who performs country music and Cajun music. Originally signed to Mercury Nashville Records, Sonnier charted several minor singles on the Billboard country charts in the late 1970s...
on The Bellamy Brothers' "Catahoula" and the 2001 single from his Living In Black And White release (RMG), "Cowboys Don't Cry" which spent one week at #60. In 2007, Raven could be found again on Joe Rucker
Joe Rucker
Joe Rucker is an American country music musician.-Career:Rucker was the youngest of three children. Shortly after his birth, the family moved back to their previous home in Geneva, Florida....
's Untangle My Mind album on the song "Bermuda Shorts". According to his web site, Raven is still performing concert dates.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | CAN Country | |||
| 1969 | That Cajun Country Sound | — | — | La Louisianne |
| 1972 | Bayou Boys | — | — | ABC/Dot |
| Thank God for Kids | — | — | ||
| 1975 | This Is Eddy Raven | — | — | |
| 1980 | Eyes | 55 | — | Dimension |
| 1981 | Desperate Dreams | 26 | — | Elektra |
| 1984 | I Could Use Another You | 41 | 8 | RCA |
| 1985 | Love & Other Hard Times | 64 | — | |
| 1987 | Right Hand Man | 18 | — | |
| 1988 | The Best of Eddy Raven | 36 | — | |
| 1989 | Temporary Sanity | 31 | 25 | Capitol |
| 1991 | Right for the Flight | — | — | |
| 1994 | Wild Eyed and Crazy | — | — | Intersound |
| 1996 | Cookin' Cajun | — | — | K-Tel |
| 2000 | That Cajun Country Soung (re-release) | — | — | La Louisianne |
| 2001 | Living in Black and White | — | — | Row Music |
| 2005 | Knowin' How to Live | — | — | Intersound |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Greatest Country Hits | Curb |
| Greatest Hits | Warner Bros. | |
| 1996 | I Got Mexico | Kingfisher |
| 1998 | 20 Favorites | Capitol |
| 1999 | Live at Billy Bob's Texas | Billy Bob's |
| 2002 | Live in Concert | Row Music |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country | |||
| 1962 | "Once a Fool" | — | — | singles only |
| 1969 | "Lied to Judy" | — | — | |
| 1973 | "Colinda" | — | — | That Cajun Country Sound |
| "Arkansas Sun" | — | — | singles only | |
| "Sam" | — | — | ||
| 1974 | "Last of the Sunshine Cowboys" | 63 | — | Thank God for Kids |
| "Carolina Country Morning" | — | — | single only | |
| "Ain't She Somethin' Else" | 46 | 34 | This Is Eddy Raven | |
| 1975 | "Good News, Bad News" | 27 | 40 | Thank God for Kids |
| "You're My Rainy Day Woman" | 68 | — | ||
| "Free to Be" | 34 | 46 | ||
| 1976 | "I Wanna Live" | 87 | — | This Is Eddy Raven |
| "Curse of a Woman" | 94 | — | single only | |
| "I'm Losing It All" | 90 | — | ||
| 1978 | "Colinda" (re-release) | — | — | That Cajun Country Sound |
| "You're a Dancer" | 71 | — | single only | |
| 1979 | "Sweet Mother Texas" | 44 | — | |
| 1980 | "Dealin' with the Devil" | 25 | — | Eyes |
| "You've Got Those Eyes" | 30 | — | ||
| "Another Texas Song" | 34 | — | ||
| "Peace of Mind" | 23 | — | ||
| 1981 | "I Should've Called" | 13 | — | Desperate Dreams |
| "Who Do You Know in California" | 11 | — | ||
| 1982 | "Blue Christmas Blue Christmas "Blue Christmas" is a Christmas song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson. The heart-broken tale of unrequited love during the holidays had long been considered a Christmas staple of country music, having been recorded first by Doye O'Dell in 1948 and popularised by Ernest Tubb the next year... " |
— | — | single only |
| "A Little Bit Crazy" | 14 | 43 | Desperate Dreams | |
| "She's Playing Hard to Forget She's Playing Hard to Forget "She's Playing Hard to Forget" is a single by American country artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1982, it was the fourth single from the album Desperate Dreams. The song reached #10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
10 | — | ||
| "San Antonio Nights" | 25 | — | ||
| 1984 | "I Got Mexico I Got Mexico "I Got Mexico" is a 1984 country music single made famous by Eddy Raven. Co-written with Frank J. Myers, the song became Raven's first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in June 1984, and spent a total of thirteen weeks in the top 40 of the country chart.The song became the first No... " |
1 | 1 | I Could Use Another You |
| "I Could Use Another You I Could Use Another You "I Could Use Another You" is a single by American country artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1984, it was the second single and title track from the album I Could Use Another You. The song reached #9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
9 | 6 | ||
| "She's Gonna Win Your Heart She's Gonna Win Your Heart "She's Gonna Win Your Heart" is a single by American country music artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1984, it was the third single from the album I Could Use Another You. The song reached #9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart..... " |
9 | 5 | ||
| 1985 | "Operator, Operator Operator, Operator "Operator, Operator" "Operator, Operator" "Operator, Operator" (originally titled "Heart on the Line (Operator, Operator)" is a country music song co-written and recorded by Larry Willoughby, a cousin of country music singer Rodney Crowell, and Janet Willoughby. He released the song in 1983 from... " |
9 | 8 | Love & Other Hard Times |
| "I Wanna Hear It from You I Wanna Hear It from You "I Wanna Hear It from You" is a single by American country music artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1985, it was the second single from the album Love and Other Hard Times. The song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
8 | 6 | ||
| "You Should Have Been Gone By Now You Should Have Been Gone By Now "You Should Have Been Gone By Now" is a single by American country music artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1986, it was the third single from the album Love and Other Hard Times. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
3 | 3 | ||
| 1986 | "Sometimes a Lady Sometimes a Lady "Sometimes a Lady" is a single by American country music artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1986, it was the first single from the album Right Hand Man. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.-Chart performance:... " |
3 | 2 | Right Hand Man |
| "Right Hand Man Right Hand Man "Right Hand Man" is a single by American country music artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1986, it was the second single and title track from the album Right Hand Man. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
3 | 5 | ||
| 1987 | "You're Never Too Old for Young Love You're Never Too Old for Young Love "You're Never Too Old for Young Love" is a single by American country music artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1987, it was the third single from the album Right Hand Man. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
3 | 6 | |
| "Shine, Shine, Shine Shine, Shine, Shine "Shine, Shine, Shine" is a 1987 single written by Ken Bell and Bud McGuire and recorded by Eddy Raven. "Shine, Shine, Shine" was Eddy Raven's second number one country single, his first since "I Got Mexico" three years before. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of... " |
1 | 1 | ||
| 1988 | "I'm Gonna Get You I'm Gonna Get You "I Gonna Get You" is a song written by Dennis Linde. It was first recorded by Billy Swan, whose version was released as a single in 1987 and went to #63 on the U.S. country singles charts.... " |
1 | 1 | The Best of Eddy Raven |
| "Joe Knows How to Live Joe Knows How to Live "Joe Knows How to Live" is a 1988 single written by Troy Seals, Max D. Barnes, and Graham Lyle and recorded by Eddy Raven. "Joe Knows How to Live" was Eddy Raven's fourth number one on the country chart... " |
1 | 1 | ||
| "'Til You Cry 'Til You Cry "Til You Cry" is a single by American country music artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1988, it was the third new single from the album The Best of Eddy Raven. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart..-Chart performance:... " |
4 | * | ||
| 1989 | "In a Letter to You In a Letter to You "In a Letter to You" is a song written by Dennis Linde and originally recorded by Shakin' Stevens. His version of the song went to #10 on the UK Singles Chart.... " |
1 | 1 | Temporary Sanity |
| "Bayou Boys Bayou Boys "Bayou Boys" is a 1989 single by Eddy Raven, who co-wrote the song with Troy Seals and Frank J. Myers. "Bayou Boys" was Eddy Raven's sixth and final number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent fourteen weeks on the country chart .-Chart... " |
1 | 1 | ||
| 1990 | "Sooner or Later Sooner or Later (Eddy Raven song) "Sooner or Later" is a single by American country music artist Eddy Raven. Released in 1990, it was the third single from the album Temporary Sanity. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.-Chart performance:... " |
6 | 18 | |
| "Island Island (song) "Island " is the fourth track and first single off The Starting Line's 2007 album, Direction. The music video for the song was directed by Jay Martin and it takes place on a shipwrecked beach. The music video premiered on July 31, 2007 on TRL. The song hit #21 on the US Modern Rock chart in 2007... " |
10 | 6 | ||
| "Zydeco Lady" | 56 | 44 | ||
| 1991 | "Rock Me in the Rhythm of Your Love" | 60 | 80 | Right for the Flight |
| "Too Much Candy for a Dime" | 68 | 35 | ||
| "Hot Pink" | — | — | ||
| 2001 | "Cowboys Don't Cry" | 60 | — | Living in Black and White |
| 2005 | "Tequila Tells" | — | — | Knowin' How to Live |
Guest singles
| Year | Single | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Catahoula" | The Bellamy Brothers (with Jo-El Sonnier Jo-El Sonnier Jo-El Sonnier is an American singer-songwriter and accordionist who performs country music and Cajun music. Originally signed to Mercury Nashville Records, Sonnier charted several minor singles on the Billboard country charts in the late 1970s... ) |
Over the Line |