REBEL FOR GOD
A Conversation with
Eddie DeGarmo
By Alex MacDougall
Note: Some of the following questions are and sing as well as his piano playing. I got that
derived from the reading of Eddie’s new book, record when I was three years old. It was a
“Rebel for God: Faith, Business, and Rock and pretty crazy message for a little kid, I guess. My
Roll”. It’s a fascinating and impactful account first full length album I ever bought that I saved
of Eddie’s journey in Christian music, and my own money for was “Wipe Out” by the
I thoroughly recommend it to any aspiring Safaris. That’s when I was sure my future was
Christian songwriter, worship leader, musician, going to be a drummer. That didn’t work out.
or artist.
[WM] What was the first live band that inspired
[WM] Eddie, thanks so much for taking the you? When and where was this, and how old
time to visit with me and share your thoughts were you?
with the readers. You’ve definitely worked in
so many areas over the course of your calling. [Eddie] I don’t remember their name actually,
You’ve been a successful songwriter, artist, but they were a four-piece band set up on the
producer, music publisher, author, entrepreneur sidewalk outside of a men’s clothing store in
and executive. Congratulations! 1962. I was smitten. I thought it was so cool.
Let’s start with some beginnings. When did you [WM] How did you and Dana (Key) become
fall in love with music and what were the first
records that you purchased, both as an LP and
as a 45rpm?
[Eddie DeGarmo] My mother played the
piano at our church in Royal Oak, Michigan
when I was just a little guy. I fell in love with
music at three years old really. We had an
upright piano in our basement and my mom
would teach me little tunes. Also, during this
time, Liberace had an afternoon television
show that I was glued to everyday. That was
when he focused on the piano rather than his
“We all need an friends?
anchor and that [Eddie] That’s a long story. We actually met
is Jesus, God’s
Word, and each
in the first grade at school. He had a little gang
of greasy faced minions on the playground.
He asked me to join his gang. I said, “No way
man! I’m going to form my own gang.” That’s
how we met. By the time the 4 th grade came
we were talking about forming a band. He was
other”
going to play trumpet and I was going to play
sax. I’m glad that didn’t last.
~ Eddie DeGarmo
[WM] Growing up in Memphis, you must have
been influenced by music that many other
flamboyant lifestyle.
American teenagers nationwide were not as
well-exposed to. Can you elaborate on that?
My first 45rpm single was “I Got a Woman”
by Ray Charles. I loved the way he could wail
60
April 2019
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