Antioch resident Myron Edwins recently released his first album, “very tiny world.”
Photo by Randolph Bowe
Photo by Randolph Bowe
Born in Washington, Pa. to a family of entertainers – his late father, mother and four siblings are all singers, songwriters and/or instrumentalists – Edwins currently resides in Antioch. “very tiny world,” his first album released to the public, was produced in Hyped Up! Studios, a once-empty bedroom in his home transformed into a fully equipped recording studio. The album incorporates myriad cultural influences, including R&B, smooth jazz, hip-hop and Asian-inspired flutes that form a collection of upbeat, catchy tunes that focus on life and love.
“I knew early on, from the age of 5 or 6, that I was brought into this world to do music,” he said.
A professional singer since the ’70s, Edwins first stepped into the spotlight as a child at his father’s prompting. “Before you knew it, there were talks of going out in front of the public at 8 or 9 years old,” he said. “It was a wonderful experience. I still enjoy the high I receive from being in front of the public.”
For most of his career, Edwins has performed as both a singer and bassist in restaurants, professional venues and on worldwide tours alongside family members or with tribute bands such as Evolution, which pays homage to Journey. His manager, Sandra Knadle, met him six years ago doing just that at Humphrey’s on the Delta in Antioch.
“I enjoyed the music, and then he and I started talking. Eventually he brought me into the studio,” she said. “I thought, ‘Wow, what a talented man.’”
Knadle, owner of a full-service salon in Livermore, handles bookings and general inquiries for Edwins when she isn’t working full time. Mostly, she stands comfortably by Edwins’ side in rock solid support of his endeavors.
“Two years ago,” said Knadle, “I told him I think it’s time we make a decision to work on you – building a name rather than involvement in top-40 bands. You need to get your album out there, and I’m more than willing to help with that. It’s been a long road, enjoyable and sometimes exhausting, but I want to help as much as I can because I believe in him.”
Like most entertainers, Edwins exhibits both a private and public face. In front of a crowd, he might be sporting hip shades and open-necked shirts, his voice as smooth and sultry as the romantic songs he sings. For this interview, however, Edwins was looking every inch the producer, wearing black garb and cool, round spectacles that enhanced his thoughtful, articulate and warm personality.
Indeed, his role as producer was in the making long before he realized it, stemming back to when he was a boy scrutinizing the sleeves of his favorite vinyl records.
“I was curious as to how music was being made,” he said, adding a recollection from grade school. “When the teacher asked what we wanted to do when we grew up, I blurted out, ‘I’m going to be a music producer!’ I didn’t really know what a music producer did, but I knew that that person was integral to the finished product. Today, being a producer gives me full access and control to how my songs come about.”
Edwins remembers how “exhilarated” he felt when the shipment of his “very tiny world” CDs arrived. “I’ve always believed that when one wants to achieve grand goals, one has to have patience because there are so many processes involved in getting there, and you have to have a lot of trust and faith – not only in each other but also in the Lord,” he said. “Actually, we’ve seen Him work on our behalf. We saw the album emerge from a period of procrastination to a final product.”
Knadle added, “I told Myron in the very beginning that we would take small steps and work our way up. Seeing that album and knowing how hard he worked, I feel like we’re standing on the mountain. We’re ready to go big.”
For more information about Myron Edwins (MEP Entertainment), visit www.myronedwins.com.
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