Minto Country Music Wall of Fame

Eric was born in Minto January 28, 1948 - one of twin boys born to Celime and Clara (Arsenault) Richard. He began keeping rhythm with two spoons and a cookie can to his father’s fiddle music at the age of five. At six years old, his sisters Anita and Yvonne bought Eric & twin brother Eloi a beginner drum set and accordion. He kept time to his father's reels and jigs.

At the age of ten, Celime traveled to Ontario and brought back Eric's first pro drum set - a Ludwig black diamond pearl, bass snare and tom-tom drum kit with Zildian symbol and high hat with attached cow bell and hollow wooden box to make different sounds. At the same time, he brought son Eloi an acoustic guitar. Eric started playing for dances at the Chipman and Minto Legion with his father Celime, and also Maxime Richard and Eric Richard. He also played at the barn dances in Burtt's Corner.

After his fathers’ passing in 1963, Eric continued to play for local bands in the area. A band was formed in middle school called "The Exterminators" which included Eric, his brother Eloi, Barry Francis and Donald Langille. They would perform at the High School dances, the Casa Loma Dance Hall, and the Jimmy Simmons Dance Hall in the Grand Lake area. They also had the opportunity to play for a High School T.V. show in Saint John called High Society where local talent was called upon to sing and play instruments. The signature tune was called "Wipe Out" where Eric would beat all the skins of the drums in a rock and roll fashion. The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Beach Boys played a big part in the type of music being played in the early sixties and seventies by young bands. Long hair, beatle boots and pin striped bell bottom pants became the fashion.

Eric continued playing for local bands in the Country and Jazz field with Constable Jim Carrol, Constable Maurice Flemming, Willard Morrison, Freddy Fulton, Eric Richard and Maxime Richard.

In the seventies, Eric played with the Dave McNeill Band, the Frank Maston Band for some local dances, and with the Joey Knight Band which was called the “Cougars” until his passing at the age of 32 in October, 1980. Eric was a great presence in the local area music scene.