LUKE EDWARDS

Luke Edwards was born in Shelby on January 18, 1969, and graduated from Shelby High School in 1987. He cites his earliest musical influence as the Sisk Quartet singing gospel at his church, New Bethel Missionary Methodist.

His music experience began when he participated in a year-long instrumental music exploration program at Jefferson Elementary School, first trying the guitar and the cello, and then settling on the upright bass. He joined his first band in the sixth grade and played with various groups throughout middle school and high school.

His first band as a semi-professional musician was a Charlotte-based heavy metal group called Animal Bag, for which Luke provided lead vocals.
After graduating from high school, he moved with the other band members to Los Angeles to pursue their musical goals. During this time, the band was awarded a contract with a record label and recorded and performed in local venues and on the road. Animal Bag eventually returned to Charlotte and disbanded.

Unhappy with the business side of music, Luke searched for a way to express himself musically with other players and almost by accident, his current band, Tater, was born. Luke describes Tater as a “fusion of styles,” including old-time country, bluegrass, heavy metal, punk and acoustical influences. Luke is Tater’s songwriter, and the band performs primarily original material, but also their own versions of cover songs. T

he band has sponsored its own festival, Taterfest, for several years and by Luke’s admission, has a growing, loyal, and extremely diverse fan base.