Rock My World Canada, chapter 33: Fred Eaglesmith
[Mike Carr has put together a massive volume on Canadian music history entitled Canadian Alternative & Indie Reference and Collector’s Guide. It’s an incredible discography of hundreds of bands. This is the latest excerpt from his book. – AC]
Frederick John Elgersma (born July 9, 1957), known by the stage name Fred Eaglesmith, is an alternative country singer-songwriter from Caistor Centre, Ontario. He is known for writing songs about vehicles, rural life, down-and-out characters, lost love, and quirky rural folk. His songwriting uses techniques of short story writing, including unreliable narrators, surprise endings, and plot twists.
Eaglesmith has formed the bands The Smokin’ Losers, The Flying Squirrels and The Flathead Noodlers, switching the name to represent different styles of music. The Flathead Noodlers play bluegrass, while the Flying Squirrels play more folk and rock. His first self-titled album was released in 1980. In addition to his own albums, he frequently collaborated with the late Willie P. Bennett, a former member of Eaglesmith’s band, who stepped down after a heart attack in early 2007. Eaglesmith publishes his own records.
Find out more about this artist and hundreds of other Canadian artists in the softcover edition of Canadian Alternative & Indie Reference and Collector’s Guide. Get your copy here.
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