Subj: article

Modern Drummer
January 1997

Blessid Union Of Souls'

Eddie Hedges



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

lessid Union Of Souls' drummer, Eddie Hedges, had moved to L.A. and racked up an impressive list of credits, including Bel, Biv Devoe, Sheila E, and Johnny Gill. but then he received the call that his former band, Blessid Union Of Souls, had a major hit on their hands with "I Believe" and that they wanted him to return home to Cincinnati. That song became the fourth most popular song of 1995, followd by their "Let Me Be The One," which went Top-10.

Hedges was excited to be back providing his funky power beat. "what they get from me is a real solid drummer," Eddie says. "I hit very hard, which can be scary. I have to wear goggles because I broke a stick recently and the tip broke off and caught me in the right eye. It cut the side of my cornea. And that same thing happened to my left eye a few months back."

While being a sold (although a little dangerous) drummer, Eddie also brings his vocal abilities to the group. "The lead singer of this band used to be the keyboard player in a band where I was the lead vocalist," he says. "I've always been a singing drummer, which is why I've always worked."

Blessid Union Of Souls is working on their second album, which Eddie is in the process of recording. "On the last record there wasn't a whole lot of live drumming because they couldn't keep flying me back and forth from L.A. to Cincinnati," he says. "But this record is going to be a lot edgier, with a lot more of a rock drive to it. This is a real band, and my input means something. When I come in and play, I'm not reproducing something that someone told me to play; I'm bringing 'me' to the band." -- Robyn Flans