Eric Waterman

Singer, musician, songwriter from Newfoundland, Canada 1935 - Feb. 4, 2016 Born and raised in the beautiful outport of Boyd's Cove, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, Eric Waterman [1936-2016] resided in Gander most of his 80 years. The greatest influence in music was his father, who bought him a guitar and encouraged him to play when he was just a youngster. His father had Eric accompany him on the accordion while he played for square dances that were held in the old school house. His greatest inspirations in song writing and singing were Hank Williams, Gordon Lightfoot, and Stu Philips. In 1961, Eric was transferred by his employer to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, which he found was a great place for country musicians and singers since there was plenty of work for country bands in the many night clubs on the American Base and in the town of Happy Valley itself. For the next eleven years Eric held down his regular job and played music as a part-time job. While living there, he played with such country bands as the Northern Lights, Country Friends, Legion Airs, and The Western Five until his return to Gander where he worked for the Fortis Group, retiring after 38 years at age 75.