It had been a long time, too long, since the two of them had gotten together. The house was nice, the neighborhood friendly and informal, and after a few obligatory barks and growls the dog was accepting. There were two different women accompanying them than there had been years earlier, but no one seemed to be missing.

Then one of the women, Patty, in an effort to begin to get to know her husband’s long-time friend and collaborator, asked, “What is your primary instrument?”

The answer: keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, tuba, sousaphone…. Each instrument on the list had its own story and reason for inclusion. But the other man leaned back and had his own thoughts. That other man was me.

The person being questioned was Eddie Carriere. Oh, he is known to many different people by different names – Jay, J. Edward, Ed – just to mention a few that I know of. But I met him when we were both in third grade, and Eddie is the name lodged in my brain when I think of him. I can testify that he plays or has played all the instruments mentioned. I didn’t actually hear the tuba and sousaphone, but I have heard enough stories to fully accept them as members of the set.

My thoughts focused on the fact that Eddie didn’t really play instruments. He played music – the magical music that always seemed to fill his head. When we were much younger, he played mostly piano and I played guitar. His brother played well, note by note, from the music books scattered around. Eddie knew music well enough, but he played the rhythms and melodies that seemed to ooze from his fingers. It wasn’t the notes so much, but the feelings that mattered. We’d sing Beatle songs until very late at night when our voices were as raspy as John Lennon’s on “Twist and Shout.”

Years later, Eddie collaborated with me on a Christian musical called Breath Like a Wind. I technically wrote the words and the music to the play, but the musical backing was infused with many nuances provided by the inimitable influences of Eddie. Fortunately, Eddie didn’t need to rely on my written score, since I had not transcribed even one note to paper.

One of the most compelling parts of the production was the overture to the play. Eddie took my songs, combined them together, and seamlessly wove them into a composition that somehow captures the mood of the entire play in a fifteen minute river of sonic sensation. I still listen to that overture – for myself.

I know a lot of people who play instruments and sing. Some are virtuosos. But I don’t know anyone who can perform music more eloquently than Eddie. We sometimes dreamed of ourselves as Lennon and McCartney. But being good friends is really enough, and surely more important. – Bob Tatum

PS: We had a great evening at the Carrieres last night. Sound Traveler prepares to play a benefit for Habitat for Humanity tonight at the Point in Land Harbor. We will share the bill with Ellie Hjemmet who now performs with Bloodroot. I’m hoping the rain passes before the show starts! Also, we are scheduled to play at The Banner Elk Café on Saturday night, Glidewell’s in Blowing Rock on Sunday afternoon, and at a private party on Sunday night at The Highlands at Sugar. Check the schedule for more details.