Darwin Lee Hill with Eddie Keefer (Photo)
Title
Darwin Lee Hill with Eddie Keefer (Photo)
Description
Photograph of Eddie Keefer and Darwin Lee Hill at radio station WHVW, Poughkeepsie, New York, April, 2000.
Keefer's obituary, published in the Sullivan County Democrat (Callicoon, New York, May 11, 2004), reads, in part:
"Edward 'Eddie' Keefer of Cragsmoor, [NY], a country icon and an entertainer, died Friday, May 7, 2004. He was 75 years of age.
"The son of the late Ellis and Pearl Carbaugh Keefer, he was born May 9, 1928, in Little Cove Tannery, Pa. He was the widower of Sarah Keefer who died June 14, 2000.
"In a family statement, it was said, 'When you first met Eddie it was a smile, a handshake and "Hi, I'm Eddie Keefer," an entertainer that greeted you during his almost 76 years. Eddie has brought smiles and enjoyment to thousands of friends from New York to the Panama Canal where he not only entertained our troops during the Korean War, but proudly served as a medic in the United States Army. Upon his return from the Army, he was the opening act for such famous country singers as Hank Williams Sr., Kitty Wells, Hank Snow and Little Jimmy Dickens and many more. For many years, Eddie Keefer and the Orange Co. Playboys were 'the' acts in Orange County. Eddie entertained on 21 radio stations and many television stations. When he wasn't entertaining he was working for the Highland Telephone Co. from which he retired many years ago. He also enjoyed spending time at the VFW or the American Legion. He was proud of these affiliations. In later years, he donated his music to the nursing homes throughout the Hudson Valley area.'"
Photo courtesy Darwin Lee Hill.
Keefer's obituary, published in the Sullivan County Democrat (Callicoon, New York, May 11, 2004), reads, in part:
"Edward 'Eddie' Keefer of Cragsmoor, [NY], a country icon and an entertainer, died Friday, May 7, 2004. He was 75 years of age.
"The son of the late Ellis and Pearl Carbaugh Keefer, he was born May 9, 1928, in Little Cove Tannery, Pa. He was the widower of Sarah Keefer who died June 14, 2000.
"In a family statement, it was said, 'When you first met Eddie it was a smile, a handshake and "Hi, I'm Eddie Keefer," an entertainer that greeted you during his almost 76 years. Eddie has brought smiles and enjoyment to thousands of friends from New York to the Panama Canal where he not only entertained our troops during the Korean War, but proudly served as a medic in the United States Army. Upon his return from the Army, he was the opening act for such famous country singers as Hank Williams Sr., Kitty Wells, Hank Snow and Little Jimmy Dickens and many more. For many years, Eddie Keefer and the Orange Co. Playboys were 'the' acts in Orange County. Eddie entertained on 21 radio stations and many television stations. When he wasn't entertaining he was working for the Highland Telephone Co. from which he retired many years ago. He also enjoyed spending time at the VFW or the American Legion. He was proud of these affiliations. In later years, he donated his music to the nursing homes throughout the Hudson Valley area.'"
Photo courtesy Darwin Lee Hill.
Citation
“Darwin Lee Hill with Eddie Keefer (Photo),” Southern Music Research Center, accessed July 5, 2024, https://southernmusicresearch.org/items/show/1514.