"Promotion In Motion"
SERVICES
Eddie Collins & Groovetime Productions, is a multi-faceted one stop for your entertainment needs, from performer to promotion, to preserving the music and heritage of the legends of yesteryear.
MUSICIAN and
ENTERTAINER
It's always been said, once an entertainer.... always an entertainer. Since 1969, Eddie Collins has consistantly been performing on the music scene. As vocalist , drummer , and bass guitarist, Eddie has been active for over 45 years. From his days of playing with local and regional acts, to serving as touring drummer and musical director in 1978 for 'The Drifters,' Eddie continues to be in demand today, working in a free lance capacity.
A diverse musician and vocalist, in recent years, he has performed with oldies revue 'The New Individuals,' classic rock act 'Mixx,' blues artists 'Mr.Z & The Nightshift,' country based 'Pat Garrett Band,' and others. Eddie also appears occasionally with his sons Keith, Chris, Eddie III and daughter Karrie, in varied family ventures billed as 'The Collins Bunch.'
To his credit, Eddie has shared the stage performing with such luminary artists as 'The Rip Chords,' 'Larry Chance & The Earls,' 'Jimmy Clanton,' 'Jay & The Techniques,'Bill Haley's Comets,' 'The Cleftones,' 'The Coasters,' and numerous legends of rock's golden age.
In being a member of the Broadcast Pioneers Of Philadelphia, an elite organization of radio, television, and media's finest personalities from the past and present, Eddie is a regular featured vocalist at the organiztion's annual "Rock & Roll Luncheons," performing on stage with the likes of 'Danny & The Juniors,' 'Kenny Jeremiah ('Soul Survivors') Stephen Caldwell ('The Orlons') Billy Carlucci ('Billy & The Essentials') and other notables.
Having a pulse on the public's entertainment needs, Eddie together with his wife Debbie, were owner / operator of 'Mr.Ed's Jukebox Heroes,' a full service mobile disc jockey entity.
During 2005 thru 2010, the team provided entertainment for nightclubs, weddings,
corporate and private engagements.
Not one to sit still, in 2013 Eddie would add 'actor' to his credits, portraying Irish cop Commissioner Jack O' Brien, in the dinner - theater production of 'Pal Joey,' presented by Schuylkill Council Of The Arts, directed by Lucielle Fala-Brennan.
In 2016, Eddie was selected as winner in a nationwide contest held by ABKCO Records, for his video in vocal performance, of Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang," honoring Sam's 85th birthday anniversary. Also during the year, Eddie was guest presenter for the Carolina Beach Music Awards (CBMA) held at the famed Alabama Theater, in North Myrtle Beach SC.
Eddie released his first single as a solo artist in 2017, "(You Got Me) Spellbound," written & produced by Billy Carlucci, released on Gold Vinyl Records label. The tune recieved extensive radio airplay, and with mobile dj's in the Carolinas, Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
During 2020, Eddie was appointed as honorary member of Central Pennsylvania Music Hall Of Fame, advisor committee, and nominated by East Coast Music Hall Of Fame for award as 'Best Music Maker - Historian / Advocate.'
TALENT & EVENT
PROMOTER
'Promotion .... always in motion,' has been Eddie's motto. He is renown as a 'go to' guy when it comes to event organization. Being extremely well versed in media relations and communications, his expertise in writing skills (press releases, bios etc) is matched with being highly detail oriented, and a solid communicator. Eddie has developed a strong network of contacts within the general media (radio, newspaper, social media) in addition to the movers and shakers in music industry personel, and nationally acclaimed recording artists.
From 2011-2015, Eddie served as Vice President of Keystone Record Collectors, Lancaster PA. During his tenure, he was also
show announcer for the club's monthly Pennsylvania Music (record & CD) Expo, and supervised show enhancements for regular meet and greet sessions, resulting in the appearances of 25 iconic performers, such as The Dovells, Ronnie Dove, Gary De Carlo (voice of 'Steam') actress Geri Reischl (Jan Brady- Brady Bunch Variety Hour) and many others .
RADIO / TV BROADCASTING
Not one to sit still, in 2023 Eddie created his podcast - BEYOND THOSE GOLDEN GROOVES, featuring chats with legions of rock's icons from the 'golden age of the 1950s-70s, along with the sundry legends behind the scenes, all who revolutionized our pop music culture. Listen to the show on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SfBft7OIWTnPi6daAmRnX
In 2019, Eddie became co-host / producer of TV Show '4 Your Entertainment,' airing on BCTV, an affiliate of Comcast and Service Electric Cable, serving Reading PA., and it's coverage area of Berks County.
Previously broadening his horizons, Eddie enjoyed a ten year career as air personality and programmer 'MR.ED' at numerous oldies &Top 40 formatted radio stations in the Northeastern PA region , and Wilkes- Barre / Scranton metro area.
WMGH FM (Magic 105.5) Tamaqua PA.
March 1990 - August 1991 ( & 2000-2002)
Weekend Personality - Show Host / producer
Formatted, produced & hosted weekly show
"Saturday Night At The Oldies With Mr.Ed"
WSPI FM (Spy-95.3) Shamokin PA.
April 1990 - August 1991
PM Drive Personality - Music Director
Managed contact with record labels, developed /executed station promotions
WMIM AM (Oldies 1590) Mt. Carmel PA.
February 1989 - April 1990
Morning Personality / Asst. Program Director
Oversaw automation system, voiceovers
WHLM FM (Power 106) Bloomsburg PA.
February 1986 - January 1989
Night Personality / Music Director
1988 spring arbitron ratings - 5.8 share (teens 12+) 5.1 (women 18-34) 4.1 (men 18-35)
WMGS FM (Magic 93) / WARM (AM 590)
March 1985 - March 1986 Avoca PA.
Weekend Personality
50,000 kw station, #56 radio market
WXPX AM / WQEQ FM Freeland PA.
November 1983 - February 1986
Midday Personality / Asst. Music Director
Produced acclaimed 'Buddy Holly Spectacular'
WLSH AM (1410 AM) Lansford PA.
Weekend Personality
Also served as fill-in personality, board op
for specialty shows and sports events.
MUSIC HISTORIAN
and ARCHIVIST
Eddie posesses quite an extensive knowledge of rock music from it's inception in the 1950's, thru the late 1980s. He has an extremely strong insight , coupled with a deep perception of major and independant record labels, recording artists, musicians, producers, and those 'behind the scenes' Expertise in record discography compilation.
In addition to being an ardent musicologist, Eddie is also an avid record collecter, with a collection boasting of over 35,000 45 rpm singles, thousands of LP's, 78rpm recordings, plus many sought after collectibles of music and pop culture, all housed within his large two storage room facility, appropriately known as the 'vinyl vaults.'
Highly regarded as a noted specialist of the 'philly sound,' 'british invasion,' 'doo-wop,' and artists / recordings released in the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, Eddie has been a contributor to various music & nostalgic pop culture perodicals. He has supplied information to book authors, and for television documentaries. As music journalist, Eddie's works have been featured in 50PlusLIFE magazine, Beach Music Scene, B-Magazine, Goldmine, Discoveries, Billboard Magazine, and Keystone Record Collectors 'Key-Notes' bi-monthly newsletter.
In 2015, Eddie was elected as museum curator of 'The Jordan Brothers Legacy Room,' a permanent exhibit housed in the Frackville Museum, Frackville PA., in which Eddie procured artifacts, handled total supervision in room layout etc. and generated media promotion for it's grand opening (resulting in 400 patrons) honoring The Jordan Brothers, a band which recieved recieved regional and national acclaim from 1958-86, and with distinction of having the first release in the U.S. of "Gimme Some Lovin',"in 1966 on Phillips Records, predating british act The Spencer Davis Group.
Interested in hiring us for your entertainment & music related needs ? Let's Talk.
.... Here's what the pros are saying about Eddie Collins & Groovetime Productions
"Eddie is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met when it comes to rock and roll. His passion for the music is matched by his talents as a multi instrumentalist and vocalist. Eddie is a pro, worthy of any world stage, and it has been our honor to have Eddie onstage with us."
Mitch Schecter - Music Director and Guitarist with The Rip Chords
"I've known Eddie Collins for many years, and have also worked with him professionally as a musician. I can't say I've ever known anyone with more musical knowledge than Eddie. In fact I've always thought of Eddie as a living, breathing, walking encyclopedia of the music business! He's the guy that many authors and music industry leaders turn to for information. His tireless work, passion and dedication to the industry as a musician, disc jockey and researcher have truly earned Eddie Collins the title of Music Journalist/Historian!..."
Scott Carr - radio personality, Classic Rock 102.9 WMGK, Philadelphia
"Eddie Collins is a consumate performer,promoter, and recording artist. Eddie's passion and drive are non stop. Having been a guest artist at a Keystone Record Collectors music expo meet / greet session under Eddie's direction, I gained much respect for his organization, coordination, and communication skills. As a fellow member of the Broadcast Pioneeers Of Philadelphia, Eddie and I have performed together at their regular 'Rock & Roll Luncheons.' I am very proud to call Eddie Collins my friend"
Kenny Jeremiah - founding member of The Soul Survivors
“ I would like to validate my close friend Eddie Collins, who did an amazing job compiling my complete discography. Talk about meticulous, sixty-five 45s, eighteen Lp’s, nineteen CD’s…and foreign releases etc. Pictures, stats, arrangements, even some of the instruments I played on those records. I’m in awe ! Eddie is a master at this, and I thank him a million times over..”
Richie Grasso – songwriter / arranger / producer
"Eddie Collins is a living treasure chest of music and musical knowledge, and... boy can he sing and play too!!
Bobby Backman aka Cool Bobby B – radio host ‘The Doo –Wop Stop’ Sirius XM 50’s on 5
“I owe thanks to many people for their assistance, in gathering info on Pennsylvania sixties rock records. Eddie Collins in particular, went out of his way to fill me in on the rock sound out of Northeast Pennsylvania during the Beatle years, passing along names, and record data, that eliminated a lot of speculation on many bands…”
Mike Kuzmin – author, ‘Sounds From The Woods.. Pennsylvania Rock Bands On Record’
"Eddie Collins, a true family man with a passion for music and the music industry, drives himself to the limit in every facet, both regionally and nationally, in this crazy business. He knows the realm of entertainment, plus the movers and shakers in it. When I secured Eddie's services to oversee and supervise construction of The Jordan Brothers Legacy Room exhibit in the Frackville Museum, I never realized he would be so meticulous in every aspect, from procuring the archives, to structuring the room, and placement of items, all done with the utmost precision, and accuracy. I picked the right man for the job. As you scroll this site, you will be amazed at the accomplishments of Eddie Collins, and what he continues to do."
Frank Jordan - entertainer, The Jordan Brothers
“I have known Eddie, “Mr. Promoter” Collins for many years casually and worked beside him extensively in our affiliation with the Keystone Record Collectors, and hosting the monthly Pennsylvania Music Expo. Eddie wrote numerous articles for ‘Key-Notes,’ the official publication of the organization, also served as club Vice President, show announcer, co- administrator of the KRC Facebook page, and special guest artist coordinator. One of his crowning achievements, was creating and organizing “Operation: Planotone,” a grass roots effort by club members to aid performer Kenny Vance, who lost many cherished possessions from his career in Superstorm Sandy. Eddie Collins is firing on eight cylinders all the time, his skills are numerous, and contributions vast”
B. Derek Shaw - newsletter & communications, Keystone Record Collectors
"Eddie Collins has seen it all, and has done it all in rock music. Whether he was on tour with The Drifters, producing records, playing drums or spinning records on radio , or at a dance, Eddie was there and made his mark in the world of music. To say that Eddie is a collector would be an understatement. I have seen his collection of thosands of records , and he knows them without looking at any paperwork, they are stored in his mind. I have never met anyone with the knowledge of recorded music that he possesses. He loves music, and is an inspiration to those of us in this business. When I need to get information, or check facts,
I go to Eddie Collins."
Pat DiCesare - legendary concert promoter (The Beatles - Pittsburgh PA. 1964)