Tommy Edwards was the host of Life 103.1’s “Bluegrass Saturday Night” for over 15 years. He was also the lead singer and guitarist for The Bluegrass Experience, one of the Southeast’s most respected traditional music groups. Having performed professionally for over 40 years, Edwards brought a wealth of knowledge about his favorite music to the program. He was twice named World Champion Bluegrass Guitarist and recorded or performed on stage with an array of great artists, including Jimmy Martin, Bobby Hicks, Jim Mills, Peter Rowan, Jack Lawrence, Mike Cross, and many more. He recorded four albums with The Bluegrass Experience and five solo projects. His most recent, “North Carolina: History, Lore and More” was featured in the popular magazine Our State. An accomplished songwriter, Edwards’ compositions have been recorded by folks like Molasses Creek, Kicking Grass, The Brothers in Bluegrass, Shady Grove, and The Bluegrass Experience. Tommy Edwards was a 1970 graduate of East Carolina University where he majored in history, minored in art, and was the editorial cartoonist for the campus newspaper. He retired from 30 years’ service as a teacher, coach, and administrator in the North Carolina public schools. In addition, he served his community as a member and officer of the Board of Trustees of Central Carolina Community College, Chatham Arts, Chatham Trades, Chatham Dispute Settlement, and the local historical association. For many years he assisted his wife Cindy in the operation of an antiques business in Pittsboro, NC. The pair has been recognized for their knowledge of the state’s traditional pottery and even restored an 1890’s Victorian cottage to National Register of Historic Places standards. Tommy Edwards died of cancer in May 2021.
Tommy Edwards – the best friend that bluegrass could ever have