Eddie From Ohio

All releases are on the band's own label, Virginia Soul Records. The Flamingos were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Success and critical acclaim has built slowly over the couse of EFO's history, but the band now boasts a truly nationwide following. By 1964, however, the group's career was essentially over. The band developed a distinctive acoustic sound, marrying two acoustic guitars with hand percussion and strong four-part harmonies, and landed themselves a weekly residency at a local bar. "I Only Have Eyes for You" (1959, originally recorded by Dick Powell in 1934) became their biggest hit and was followed by a long series of hits, including "Love Walked In", "Your Other Love", "Mio Amore", "Nobody Loves Me Like You", "Lovers Never Say Goodbye", "I Was Such A Fool" and "Love Walked In". Their early repertoire of covers (by such artists as The Byrds and Blues Traveler) was soon augmented by originals from songwriters Schaefer and Clem. Other noteworthy songs from the 1950's include "A Kiss From Your Lips", "I'll Be Home", and "Would I Be Crying".

Childhood friends Robbie Schaefer and Michael Clem recruited Julie Murphy (now Murphy Wells), a high-school friend of Schaefer's, and Eddie Hartness, of Clem's former band, to form the nascent folk group. Their first single, "If I Can't Have You", was a moderate success, and the follow-ups "That's My Desire" and "Golden Teardrops" cemented their reputation. A college friend of Hartness's coined the nickname for him, by analogy with the lead singer of fIREHOSE, Ed 'From Ohio' Crawford. Sollie McElroy soon replaced Lewis (who joined The Five Echoes). Name notwithstanding, the band is not from Ohio. Earl Lewis soon joined, and after a series of name changes (The Swallows, El Flamingos, The Five Flamingos) wound up being known as The Flamingos. Eddie From Ohio (or often just EFO) is an American folk band. Formed in 1991 in Northern Virginia, the band has achieved considerable local success, winning four WAMMIES (Washington DC area local music awards) and a nationwide following, all outside the purview of major record labels. Jake and Zeke Carey formed the group in Chicago, after meeting Paul Wilson and Johnny Carter at a black Jewish church.

This Is Me, 2004. The Flamingos were a doo wop group, popular in the mid to late 1950s. Three Rooms, 2003. Vocal Group Hall of Fame page on The Flamingos (http://www.vghf.com/Inductees/flamingos.htm). Quick, 2001. Download sample "Nobody Loves Me Like You" from Respectfully Yours. Looking Out The Fishbowl, 1999.

Portable EFO Show, 1998. Big Noise, 1997. I Rode Fido Home, 1995. Actually Not, 1993.

A Juggler On His Blades, 1992. EFO Live At The Birchmere (cassette only), 1991. Michael Clem - guitar, bass, harmonica, vocals. Eddie Hartness - percussion, vocals.

Robbie Schaefer - guitar, vocals. Julie Murphy Wells - vocals.