Siblings junior Cooper Eddleman, and freshman Luci Eddleman, share a love for music that has evolved into the band, Singlewide. Singlewide consists of C. Eddleman, L. Eddleman, junior Dylan Carlisle and Regents School of Oxford sophomore Coop Bell.
The siblings’ music career started by playing together at home. As C. Eddleman and L. Eddleman’s passion to perform and love for music grew, they began taking playing music more seriously and eventually performed at a pizza shop in Water Valley, Taylor
Grocery, The Coop, The Lyric and a private party at The Graduate.
“Eventually we started going to music lessons together with our guy, Mr. Clint, at Oxford House of Music,” L. Eddleman said. “He did the bookings for Taylor Grocery so he got us playing there once we got up a set of around 45 songs.”
C. Eddleman bought a drum set in hopes of starting a complete band at some point. Last year, C. Eddleman noticed the drum sticks sticking out of Carlisle’s backpack. With the knowledge that Carlisle was in the school band, C. Eddleman hoped for him to one day join the band.
“Cooper kept on asking me to come to practice because he sat next to me last year,” Carlisle said. “Eventually, I accepted his offer and we continued practicing together.”
As Carlisle began playing with C. Eddleman and L. Eddleman, they saw how talented he truly was.
“He started out with that drum set I bought, and he has since upgraded,” C. Eddleman said. “He brings a different set to shows, but he has always used that one that I originally got.”
In an effort to find a fitting name for the band, they began AI generating names, and, eventually C. Eddleman came up with “Singlewide.” The name stuck from there. The band then decided that they needed a bass player and added, Bell. Once he was added they had a full band. They have all been practicing together since then.
“During the summer we practiced a good bit, probably like three or four days depending on gigs coming up,” C. Eddleman said. “During the school year we try to do Tuesday and Thursday nights. When we are getting closer to a gig or something big, then we practice more.”
Not only does Singlewide play well known songs, they create and play originals as well.
“Luci and I started writing originals around two years ago,” C. Eddleman said. “We have gotten more and more since then.”
Once an original has been written, getting to perfect and perform it is one of Singlewide’s favorite things to do.
“We have a variety of songs that require different things on the kit and listening to our covers allows me to take inspiration from those songs and apply them to our originals,” Carlisle said. “I also like mastering the phrases of a song and adding the correct sounding fills.”
Singlewide’s popularity in Oxford is continuously growing. They have played at many locations and have more performances scheduled for the future.
“We have played at Booth’s Barbecue, Circle and Square, Double Decker, the Watermelon Festival, Myers Apothecary one year anniversary party and several private parties,” L. Eddleman said. “My favorite part is playing in shows.”
Something special about playing in shows is getting to perform in front of friends and family. This makes the experience even more memorable.
“I think my favorite performance was at our first Circle and Square show,” Carlisle said. “Lots of friends showed up to support us by watching and enjoying our music.”
Performing always reminds the group how grateful they are for the chance they have to do something they love.
“My favorite part of being in the band is having these great opportunities to play music and be supported by lots of people,” Carlisle said. “I am privileged and very glad that we get recognized, but mainly the experience of being in the band and being able to show off what we have been working on is so special.”
During the shows, a close friend of band members, Guy Fruge, sells Singlewide merchandise. He often comes to their practices to help out and has seen immense growth in the band.
“They put a lot of work and effort in,” Fruge said. “They have all really improved over the past year that they have been playing together. My favorite songs are ‘Local Legend’ and ‘Mount Dew Greens’, originals by Singlewide.”
C. Eddleman and L. Eddleman are always on the same page, which is part of what has made it such a successful and growing band.
“It is super fun,” Cooper Eddleman said. “I like playing with Luci. We have chemistry because we have been doing it for a long time.”
The band has a current goal to put an EP out by the end of the year.
“We want to go to Nashville and record a little bit,” C. Eddleman said. “We hope to have a release party somewhere.”
