[Eddie Blount, Dave Wilbert | Download PNG]
Ed had been in poor health for the last few months with heart & kidney issues. That said, I assumed he’d pull through as he always had over the last five years. He’d say “The Blount boys are tougher than a pine knot”. Then without fail, he’d be back in the trenches trying to help figure out this crazy country music industry.
Ed became my manager nearly five years ago. Together we co-produced two projects which would lead to a number 1 record, a number 2 record on the independent charts, and a Grammy consideration. Eddie had incredible ears. His gift was in the studio, live performance, and finding great songs. More than that, Ed was great friend to me.
I’m headed to the studio in a couple weeks to record songs for a follow up project. He and I decided on the material believing we’d both be there. There is no way to replace his knowledge and experience. I hope I can remember all he taught me and make him proud of this record.
Ed had called me the night before he passed to let me know that he was going to begin Hospice at home in a few days. I was shocked to put it mildly. In that final conversation he said “I don’t know if have six months or one day, but the Good News is that I know Jesus & I know where I’m going and I’m good with it”. The last words we said to one another were , “ I love you Ed…I love you David”. God called him home eight hours later. No more suffering and no more ongoing treatments with a predictable outcome.
It’s strange not to hear his raspy high pitch voice answer the phone with “Hey dude.” Those idiosyncrasies make me smile & chuckle to myself. I will miss him…but I know I see him again…and look forward to hearing…’Hey dude’”!
— Dave Wilbert