Eddie Holman

Although formally schooled in music, soul and gospel singer Eddie Holman projects an unguarded sincerity and aching vocal intensity that feels instinctive rather than learned. After early fame as a youngster—appearing in off-Broadway shows and on NBC’s The Children’s Hour billed as “Little” Eddie Holman—the Norfolk, Virginia native studied at the Victoria School of Music and Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. He first cut sides for Leopard and Ascot, then relocated to Philadelphia. His 1956 Parkway debut “This Can’t Be True” reached the Top 20 on the R&B chart, and the follow-up “Am I a Loser” duplicated that success. Holman switched to Bell in 1968 and to ABC the next year. His impassioned reading of “Hey There Lonely Girl”—originally waxed by Ruby & the Romantics as “Hey There Lonely Boy”—became a landmark recording, widely regarded as the definitive treatment of the song; it climbed to number four R&B and number two pop in 1970. Additional modest R&B entries on ABC followed with “Don’t Stop Now” and “Cathy Called,” both issued in 1970. Later singles “My Mind Keeps Telling Me” on GSF in 1972 and “This Will Be a Night to Remember” on Salsoul in 1977 marked his final appearances on the R&B charts. In the 1980s Holman embraced born-again Christianity, earned a formal theology degree, and entered the Baptist ministry. Recording as Rev. Eddie Holman, he issued the gospel projects United and Love Story on his own Agape imprint. He has never abandoned secular work, continuing to perform and releasing the 2018 collection Lovin’ You, which blends fresh and vintage gospel and secular tracks.