Eddie Bolton is the very talented singer/songwriter who formerly sang with the Speer Family as well as singing with his own group, Calvary Construction Company. We have had several people wanting to know where Eddie has been and what he is doing now. We finally caught up with him and were able to ask him some of the questions that you were asking about him.
Eddie, it's been a while since we have talked with you, s o how have you been since coming off the road with CCC?
I have been very busy since the break up of Calvary Construction Company but I miss the ministry we shared together in CCC. I miss the friendships of Louie, Rod and Gus and I particularly miss the seeing our slogan, "Reconstructing Lives Through Christ", put into practice as evidenced in the lives of many we ministered to. I will always miss the friendships, brotherhood and ministry of CCC but I am moving forward with my children's books and the music ministry I now share with my beautiful wife. We are busy with book signings at book stores, western wear stores, libraries and churches, plus we have even presented the books at Fort Leonard Wood MO and Fort Campbell KY for our troops and their families. This has to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, just knowing that we have been able to impact the lives of so many children across the country.
Before Calvary Construction Company disbanded, you had sang with the Speer Family. What's the rest of your singing history before CCC? What was it like forming and managing your own group after singing with the Speer Family?
My first singing experience began when I was 5 years old when I started singing with my mother and brother. I sung with them until I became active in sports and didn't think it was too cool to be singing with my mother so I stopped singing until we were asked to present some special music for a conference being held at our home church in TX when I was twenty years of age. We started singing together again, ( my mother, brother and me ), and began traveling in a four state area to the connecting states around TX. We did some programs in MO, NM, MS and IL also but most of our travels consisted of TX, OK, LA and AR. We recorded our first album in 1970, funny how you never hear that word anymore but at the time that's what we did, we recorded albums and we have the large pictures on the front of those albums to prove it. Since we were TX based we recorded at Benson Sound in OK City, which was a studio that was recording lots of gospel artists at that time. We continued singing together and recorded a total of 5 recording projects with Benson Sound before I left the family trio and joined the Masters Four Quartet based in Grapevine TX. The Masters Four relocated to Branson, MO in 1983 and their name was changed to the TEXANS in 1987. I continued to sing with the TEXANS until I moved to Nashville and joined the Speers in 1995. I can't take the credit for starting and managing CCC because those guys were already formed and doing a great job before I joined them as a fill in lead singer. My initial agreement was to help them until they found a full time re-placement which turned out to be me. After traveling with them for three months God impressed me to continue with them until the time of their breakup in 2005. I did much of the booking and radio promotion but Louie Wilson shouldered most of the managerial load. Gus Gaches receives credit for most of the arrangements, I did contribute in this area but Gus was the real talent in that regard. I also wrote some of our most successful pieces as did Gus but Gus's ability as an arranger coupled with Nick Bruno really made our music pop. Thanks for the compliments but I really can't take credit for the success of CCC, God just allowed me to be there for a season and what a wonderful season it was.
I understand that you have become quite a successful children's book writer since leaving the life of a Southern Gospel singer. Tell us a little about how you got the idea to start writing Children's books and where do you get your inspiration to do so?
I had actually begun the writing of the children's books before I joined CCC and the signing with Standard Publishing was already in place before the break up of the group. I had intended the books to be an even greater ministry extension of CCC had we continued to minister together. The stories were actually inspired by my oldest son's suggestion and encouragement to do so. The inspiration of the main character in the stories was brought on by the birth of my first grandchild named Bailey, hence the birth of, "The Adventures Of Bailey And Canteen". The stories are gleaned from many childhood experiences stemming from my time spent on the back of my horse, in the old swimming hole, at county fairs, church services, countless adventures with my big brother, family and friends.
Tell us a little about story line of the books. What is it like to know that you are effecting the lives of children all across the nation? If parents and grandparents wanted to get your books for their kids, how could they go about doing this?
The story lines vary greatly in content but they are all based on the life of a little cowboy named Bailey, his best friends who are God, his pony Canteen and Lucky the puppy. There are also many other characters introduced in each new adventure. For example, there is Tom Tumbleweed, the old prospector and his side-kick, Lizzie the Burro. There is also Bully the frog, Carla Canary, Desert Rose Sue and Felicity Filly just to name a few. As I mentioned earlier about the signings for our troops at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Campbell, I have never experienced anything like this, it is really a wonderful thing to know that little lives are being impacted each time the books are read or the songs are sung. You see, in addition to the stories there are three original songs In each adventure which relate to the story content. I also wrote all of the songs but my beautiful wife, Julie, is the recorded voice of the little cowboy on all of the CD's. I narrate each story in it's entirety and each book has it's own personal page turn sound which relates to the story as well. They really are quite delightful and I thank God for allowing me to hold the pen as he inspires the writing. The entire product line consists of three adventure stories and two coloring/activity books at this juncture. The story titles are, "Canyon Rescue", "Lost And Found" and "Shelter From The Storm". The two coloring book titles are, "Roundup" and "On The Range". Any one can find the books at all Christian Book stores, such as Life Way, Berean, Family Christian, Barnes and Nobles etc as well as many western wear stores across the nation. We are hopeful and confident that they will be in many other chain markets soon. My wife and I will be happy to direct ship personally signed and dated copies for anyone who would like to order them directly from us. We also have them available at any ministry venue or signing we are privileged to attend. We may be contacted at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by phone, 615 672-0032. You may also view the entire product line at http://www.standardpub.com .
Author: SGN
| Author's Website: http://sogospelnews.com/
Written: 07/01/2007
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 5
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Enjoyed the update on Eddy Bolton.According to this article, he was filling in with The Three Bridges. I just heard that The Three Bridges has hired him as their new tenor. I can't wait to see them in concert!
I just heard Three Bridges in Columbus. Eddy fits right in. They did a supurb job as usual. Elliott McCoy sure knows how to pick them! Or should I say he allows God to pick them. We wish continued success to Three Bridges with their number one hits and their anointed singing. D C
I have an old CCC CD and really enjoyed this group. I find it very interesting that you write children's books. I look forward to hearing you with Three Bridges.
I remember the Bolton Trio when they came to our church in Tulsa to sing for us. I was so impressed , I never forgot that after the singing they left to go back home so they could be there for church the next morning ! I actually still have a record that I bought of them. It's still good too!
I LIKE YOUR SONG TOOK HIS BREATH AWAY.
EDDY SHARON AND I ARE ALWAYS PRAY FOR
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
GOD BLESS YOU AND KEPT YOU.
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