About Author E.D. Bond
A Journey Through Music
and Heritage
Eddie Bond, a proud native of Grayson County, Virginia, has loved old-time music since he was a little boy. With a rich musical background in his family, Eddie's passion for music blossomed early. All four of his great-grandfathers were musicians, and three of his grandparents played as well. He spent a lot of time with his granny Widner, who taught him how to play guitar when he was only eight years old. This foundation in music set him on a path to becoming one of the most respected fiddlers in the Blue Ridge region.
Eddie Bond served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he found other soldiers who missed their mountain homes, just like he did. While stationed in Saudi Arabia, he formed a deep friendship with Jim Greer from Virginia, Paul Bowling from Kentucky, and Chaplain Mike Charles from Tennessee. Together they created the “All-American Bluegrass Band.” After seven years in the military, Eddie returned home and formed a band called “Old Time Tradition,” sharing his love for traditional music with many local fans at festivals and dances.
Since 2001, Eddie has been the fiddler and lead singer for the New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters, one of Virginia’s most famous old-time string bands. His band has performed at prestigious events like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Kennedy Center. His music has traveled globally, taking him to Ireland, Scotland, France, and Australia. Eddie has even won awards for his performances, including being named “Best All-Around Performer” twice at the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention.
Author Eddie Bond loves to share stories of life in the Appalachian Mountains. These stories, along with his music, connect him to his roots and his audience. In 2018, he received the National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor the United States government awards a folk artist. Eddie continues to celebrate and share his musical heritage with everyone he meets. He enjoys teaching music and Precision Machining at Grayson County High School in his beloved Grayson County, Virginia.
