eric angus whyte

Eric Angus Whyte has just completed what he believes to be one third of his life. He celebrated his champagne birthday on the 24th of June.

In 2004, Eric recorded and released his first solo album, Always Home. In 2005, it was nominated for Folk Album of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards.

Always Home evokes a variety of responses as the twelve tunes run the gamut from clear cool folk numbers to edgy pieces with crisp lyrics and memorable tunes. The songs have a gravitas and depth that come off sounding like the best work of a seasoned veteran of the folk industry. The CD is collecting lots of important admiration. Among the names garnering praise on the Boularderie native's debut CD is Glenn Meisner, music producer for CBC Maritimes, who says, "Following in the traditions of the great Cape Breton songwriters comes Eric Angus Whyte. His debut CD Always Home shows a lyrical maturity far beyond his years."

2005 also saw the end of Eric's celibacy and the ushering in of a new adventure through marriage. Eric has plans to release his follow up album this summer called Of Ckqessal Simmons. He's extremely excited about this project and says, "I think it just might be good". He's also very pleased that Lyrics & Laughter, under the direction of Adam Young, have allowed him return for one more summer.

Eric Angus is first and foremost a songwriter, and he's prolific. He's building a substantial repertoire of new, original material with subject matter ranging from spiritual life to economics. In all of it, he keeps coming up with insights, amazing wordplay and, perhaps most interestingly, great scores. Pieces vary from restless to joyful. They are entertaining and engaging, thought-provoking and nostalgic. His songs cover a wide spectrum topically, but manage to squeeze into the folk genre. While they might stretch traditional boundaries, Eric's still been comfortable and well received in venues like the North by Northeast Festival and the Stan Rogers Folk Festival. His stage banter is engaging and brings the audience into his world. Stories between songs are sometimes funny and alternately serious, but always relevant.