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Eddie Bayers

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Eddie Bayers
Eddie Bayers wearing a black baseball cap
Bayers in 2008
Background information
Born (1949-01-28) January 28, 1949 (age 75)
OriginPatuxent, Maryland, U.S.
GenresCountry
OccupationSession musician
InstrumentDrums
Years active1968—present
Formerly ofThe Players, The Notorious Cherry Bombs
Websiteeddiebayers.com

Eddie Bayers (born January 28, 1949)[1] is an American session drummer who has played on 300 gold and platinum albums. He received the Academy of Country Music 'Drummer of the Year Award' for fourteen years, has three times won the Nashville Music Awards 'Drummer of the Year,' and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019. He was also a member of two bands: The Players, and The Notorious Cherry Bombs. In 2022, Bayers was one of four inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with Ray Charles, The Judds, and Pete Drake.

Early life

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The son of a career military man, Bayers moved around as a child, originally from Maryland[2] then spending time in Nashville, North Africa, Oakland, and Philadelphia.[3][4] His early musical training was as a classical pianist studying Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart.[3][4] During his college years in Oakland, California he was a member of the Edwin Hawkins Singers and he also jammed with future stars Jerry Garcia, and Tom and John Fogerty and developed an appreciation for the creative aspects of music.[5] After a short stint in a New Jersey show band he decided to move to Nashville.[6]

Session work

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Arriving in Nashville in 1973, Bayers became the house keyboard player at the Carousel Club[3] where he met drummer Larrie Londin who inspired him to take up drumming.[7][8] His drumming was influenced by soul drummers such as Al Jackson, Jr. and Clyde Stubblefield.[2] He became the staff drummer at Audio Media Studios along with guitarist Paul Worley, keyboardist Dennis Burnside, and bassist Jack Jackson. Some of the artists Bayers has worked with include Tanya Tucker, Mindy Smith, John Denver, Ricky Skaggs and George Strait.[6] He has since worked with the likes of The Beach Boys,[9] Garth Brooks,[5] Glen Campbell,[10] Kenny Chesney,[5] Peter Frampton,[5] Vince Gill,[4] Rebecca Lynn Howard,[7] Lane Brody,[11] Julio Iglesias,[12] Alan Jackson,[5] Elton John,[8] Mark Knopfler,[5] Uncle Kracker,[7] Bob Seger,[4][13] Sting,[5] Steve Winwood,[5] and Trisha Yearwood.[5][14] He also co- produced Rosanne Cash's album Interiors,[6] A Glen Campbell Christmas,[10][15] and the soundtrack for A Thing Called Love.[6]

Bands

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The Players

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In 2002, Bayers formed a band, The Players, with fellow studio musicians Brent Mason, Paul Franklin, John Hobbs, Michael Rhodes. The group released a live DVD, Live in Nashville,[16] featuring their own performances along with guest appearances by Peter Frampton, Shawn Colvin, Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, and Jim Horn.[8]

The Notorious Cherry Bombs

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Bayers replaced his former mentor, drummer Larrie Londin,[17] in a reunited Notorious Cherry Bombs for a 2003 ASCAP Country Awards dinner.[8] The band decided to stay together and has released The Notorious Cherry Bombs which was nominated for Grammies in both the 'Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal' and 'Best Country Song' categories.[18] Along with Bayers the band consists of Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Hank DeVito, Richard Bennett, and Michael Rhodes.[8]

The Medallion Band

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An all-star lineup was assembled to be the backing band at the 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony dubbed the Medallion Band. Bayers served as drummer and was accompanied by keyboardist and music director John Hobbs, pedal steel player Paul Franklin, electric guitarist Steve Gibson, bassist Michael Rhodes, fiddler Deanie Richardson, tuba player Larry Paxton, background vocalists Dawn Sears and Jeff White, and acoustic guitarist Biff Watson.[19][20] Later that year Bayers and a slightly revamped Medallion Band accompanied Shawn Camp in honoring Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Dean.[21] Bayers played the same role for the 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony with the band now dubbed the Medallion All-Stars.[22]

Accolades

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Eddie Bayers was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019. Bayers received the 'Academy of Country Music Drummer of the Year Award' 14 times,[3] 'Nashville Music Awards Drummer of the Year' three times,[4] and one of the 10 greatest session drummers of all time by Drum! magazine.[23] He has been nominated for the 'CMA Musician of the Year' ten times but has yet to bring home the prize.[24][25][26][27][28] On May 1, 2022,[29] he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.[30][31]

Music industry

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In addition to his work as a musician, Bayers has contributed to the recording industry as a 12-year member of the Board of Governors for NARAS.[7] He is also the part-owner of the Money Pit recording studio. The No. 1 singles "What I Really Meant to Say" by Cyndi Thomson and "Blessed" by Martina McBride were both recorded at his studio.[32]

Selected discography

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Year Artist/Band Album Contribution RIAA Certification
1968 Smoke Smoke keyboards[33]
1979 George Jones My Very Special Guests drums[34]
1980 Dolly Parton 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs drums[35] gold[36]
1981 John Denver Some Days Are Diamonds drums[37] gold[38]
1982 Ricky Skaggs Highways & Heartaches percussion[39] platinum[40]
1984 George Strait Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind drums[41] platinum[42]
1984 Reba McEntire My Kind of Country drums[43] gold[44]
1987 Rosanne Cash King's Record Shop drums[45] gold[46]
1987 Tanya Tucker Love Me Like You Used To drums[47] gold[48]
1990 Rosanne Cash Interiors drums,[49] producer[6]
1990 Steve Winwood Refugees of the Heart drums[50] gold[51]
1990 Delbert McClinton I'm With You drums[52]
1991 Trisha Yearwood Trisha Yearwood drums[14] 2× platinum[53]
1993 Elton John Duets drums[54] platinum[55]
1993 Clay Walker Clay Walker drums[56] platinum[57]
1994 Julio Iglesias Crazy drums[12] gold[58]
1995 Bob Seger It's a Mystery drums[13] gold[59]
1996 Mark Knopfler Golden Heart drums[60]
1999 Garth Brooks In the Life of Chris Gaines drums[61] 2× platinum[62]
1999 Glen Campbell A Glen Campbell Christmas percussion,[63] producer[15][63]
2004 The Players Live in Nashville DVD drums[64]
2004 The Notorious Cherry Bombs The Notorious Cherry Bombs drums[65]
2008 Elvis Presley Christmas Duets drums[66]

References

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  1. ^ "Eddie Bayers - Artist Bio". Country Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Hurt, Edd (February 13, 2010). "Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians Featuring Eddie Bayers". Nashville Scene. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Kurutz, Steve. "Biography—Eddie Bayers". Allmusic. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Eddie Bayers". Drummerworld. Archived from the original on December 20, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Eddie Bayers". Zildjian. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Eddie Bayers". Big Bang Distributions. Archived from the original on March 4, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  7. ^ a b c d "Eddie Bayers Biography". Yamaha. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Studio Start Joins Two Bands". Modern Drummer. July 2005.
  9. ^ Doyle, Patrick (September 28, 2011). "Beach Boys Plan Anniversary Blowout with Likely Reunion Tour". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  10. ^ a b Gray, Michael (December 2, 2008). "A Glen Campbell Christmas". CMT News. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  11. ^ content
  12. ^ a b "Credits Crazy". Allmusic. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  13. ^ a b "Credits It's a Mystery". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  14. ^ a b "Credits Trisha Yearwood". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  15. ^ a b Gray, Michael (April 21, 2000). "Glen Campbell's TNN Christmas CD Wins Dove Award". CMT News. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  16. ^ "Overview—Live in Nashville". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  17. ^ "Reads like Who's Who". USA Today. August 5, 2005. Archived from the original on July 3, 2009. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  18. ^ "The Bio". EddieBayers.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  19. ^ Morris, Edward (May 24, 2010). "One Enchanted Evening: Ferlin Husky, Billy Sherrill Enter Country Music Hall of Fame". CMT. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  20. ^ "Hall of Fame inducts Husky, Sherrill". Country Standard Time. May 24, 2010. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  21. ^ Morris, Edward (October 25, 2010). "Don Williams, Jimmy Dean Officially Inducted Into Country Music Hall of Fame". CMT. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  22. ^ Newcomer, Wendy (May 23, 2011). "Stars Salute New Hall of Fame Members Reba, Jean Shepard & Bobby Braddock". CMT. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  23. ^ "Eddie Bayers Makes Top 10 List of Session Drummers". CMT News. February 17, 2005. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  24. ^ "CMA Awards: Predictions and Personal Picks". Country Universe. November 8, 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  25. ^ Hurst, Jack (October 2, 1994). "Married-With Predictions Forecasting CMA Award Winners Stirs a Spousal Debate". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  26. ^ Harris, Pat (August 8, 1998). "Strait to the top awards". New Straits Times. p. 20. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  27. ^ Harris, Pat (August 30, 2007). "Paisley and Strait top country music nods". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  28. ^ "Brad Paisley Leads Finalists With Six Nominations for 'The 43rd Annual CMA Awards,' Country Music's Biggest Night". American Chronicle. September 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  29. ^ Kristin M. Hall, AP Entertainment Writer (May 1, 2022). "The Judds, Ray Charles join the Country Music Hall of Fame". ABC News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  30. ^ Hall, Kristin M (August 16, 2021). "Ray Charles, The Judds to join Country Music Hall of Fame". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  31. ^ Cantrell, L.B. (August 16, 2021). "The Judds, Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers, Pete Drake To Be Inducted Into Country Music Hall of Fame". MusicRow. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  32. ^ Walsh, Christopher (September 28, 2002). "Top Performing Studios". Billboard. p. 48. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  33. ^ "Credits Smoke". Allmusic. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  34. ^ "Credits My Very Special Guests". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  35. ^ "Credits 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  36. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  37. ^ "Credits Some Days Are Diamonds". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  38. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Some Days Are Diamonds". Allmusic. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  39. ^ "Credits Highways & Heartaches". Allmusic. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  40. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Highways & Heartaches". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  41. ^ "Credits Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  42. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  43. ^ "Credits My Kind of Country". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  44. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: My Kind of Country". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  45. ^ McGee, David (November 1, 2005). Steve Earle: fearless heart, outlaw poet. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 105–106. ISBN 978-0-87930-842-1. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  46. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: King's Record Shop". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  47. ^ "Credits Love Me Like You Used To". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  48. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Love Me Like You Used To". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  49. ^ "Credits Interiors". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  50. ^ "Credits Refugees of the Heart". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  51. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Refugees of the Heart". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  52. ^ "Credits Christmas Duets". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  53. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Trisha Yearwood". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  54. ^ "Credits Duets". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  55. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Duets". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  56. ^ "Credits Clay Walker". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  57. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Clay Walker". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  58. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: Crazy". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  59. ^ "Gold & Platinum database It's a Mystery". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  60. ^ "Credits Golden Heart". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  61. ^ "Credits In the Life of Chris Gains". Allmusic. Archived from the original on May 20, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  62. ^ "Gold & Platinum database: In the Life of Chris Gaines". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  63. ^ a b "Credits A Glen Campbell Christmas". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  64. ^ "Credits Live in Nashville". Allmusic. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  65. ^ "Credits The Notorious Cherry Bombs". Allmusic. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  66. ^ "Credits Christmas Duets". Allmusic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
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