About the Eddie Crook Company
The Eddie Crook Company is the pace setter when it comes to developing new artists into recognizable, household names in our genre of traditional gospel music. Founded in 1977, the company has discovered and developed the vast majority of our industry’s major artists.
Eddie Crook
One of the most recognized names in the Southern Gospel Music Industry. Eddie began his career in 1961 with the original Tennesseans. He then moved on to Baton Rouge where he worked for several years with the two-term Louisiana Governor, Jimmie Davis along with the Plainsmen Quartet. Following a short stint with Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Robbins, Mr. Crook joined the world famous Sego Brothers and Naomi. After his tenure with Naomi and the Segos, Eddie began a long and highly successful stint as the bandleader, arranger and producer for the legendary Happy Goodman Family.
It was during this time that Eddie began honing his skills as a session musician and producer by working in the Goodman Studios in Madisonville, KY. His production skills were not the only things that were blooming in Eddie’s career. During this period he also co–wrote three #1 songs with fellow Goodman band member Aaron Wilburn.
- What a Beautiful Day (For the Lord to Come Again)
- Just Any Day Now
- That Sounds Like Home to Me
Over the years Eddie has been involved with the careers of countless artists, created one of gospel music’s largest publishing catalogs, is a founding member of the Southern Gospel Music Guild and is a member of the Gospel Music Piano Players Hall Of Fame. He has also been Producer of the Year and received the Marvin Norcross award from the Singing News subscribers. In addition, he has recorded five instrumental albums.
You can not mention Eddie without mentioning his wonderful wife Janice. Always faithful by Eddie’s side, together they built a company the completely revolutionized Gospel Music as we know it. Janice is without a doubt the very heartbeat of the ECC.
Dave Wilcox
Dave Wilcox joined The Eddie Crook Company in 1982 as the very first employee of the company. Dave is the Senior Vice President for the ECC and his responsibilities are many and wide spread.
Dave is best known for his radio promotion work in Southern Gospel Music. He has promoted about twenty five Number One songs for such artists as The McKameys, Bishops, Perrys, Wilburns, Isaacs, Tony Gore and Majesty, The Freemans, Steeles, Wilburns and New Carters. He holds numerous records for radio promotion including the most songs on the Top 40 and the Top 80 charts in the same month and the most songs in the Top 40 and Top 80 in history. Dave also promoted the number one song in the history of traditional Gospel music by a mixed family group “God On The Mountain” by The McKameys.
Dave is also an accomplished record producer for such artists as The Lewis Family, Larry Gatlin with The Men of Music, The Gabbards, The Principals, The Shepherds, and Calvary Construction Company, just to mention a few. Dave has served not only the Eddie Crook Company but also the DayWind Music Group and Karen Wheaton Ministries.
Dave has written songs for major artists such as The Perrys, McKameys, Perry Sisters, Mid South Boys, Sons Family and John Starnes. He has written with some of the best writers in the business such as Milton (Big Mo) Ostrander, Larry Petree, Robbie McGee, Diana Gillette and Charlotte Sons Baker.
Dave is single and resides in Hendersonville, TN. His home church was the Miamisburg (OH) Assembly of God and he is an active member of The Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, where he is a member of the staff band.
Cyndi Harp
Born into the house of a famous Gospel music personality Cyndi Harp has seen it all. From moving from city to city, to the historic all night singings to the development of new talent from unknowns to super stars…Cyndi has gained valuable experience.
Cyndi Harp joined the Eddie Crook Company in 1987 following a highly successful tenure with The State of Tennessee. Cyndi is the Vice President of Sales & Travel for the company which includes both individual and corporate accounts.
Cyndi's other areas of responsibilities include coordinating all ECC corporate product shipments and working with our artists to create graphic artwork needed for our recording projects and various trade publication advertisements. In addition, Cyndi, assists in coordinating The Eddie Crook Company’s participation in all annual conventions and promotional events.
Cyndi administrated the company's Chestnut Mound Music Group whose catalog had some 10,000 copyrights.
The Harp household is composed of Cyndi and her husband Michael, and their two children, Summer and Spencer. They reside in Goodlettsville, TN and are actively involved at the Long Hollow Baptist Church of Hendersonville.
Jan Puryear
Radio Promotions is a vital commodity in the music industry today, and no one understands radio better than Jan Puryear. Mrs. Puryear is an industry veteran in radio promotions having worked for the Benson Company in many facets throughout her expansive career. Jan’s accomplishments include garnering 8 of the Top 10 songs in one month, as well as promoting the #1 song in the history of Gospel Music by a male quartet “Midnight Cry” by Gold City. Her list of number one songs is quite impressive and include songs for The Hemphills, Kingsmen and the aforementioned Gold City.
Upon entering motherhood she decided to leave the Benson Company and form her own promotions company called Three Point Promotions. She expanded her industry prowess with this venture and received many accolades while in this position. After a small break, Jan decided it was time to retool and return to the industry she loved.
Jan is now the Executive Director of Media Relations for the Eddie Crook Company which encompasses radio as well as other media opportunities. Her knowledge of the industry and radio is a great asset to the Eddie Crook Company.
Jan, and her husband Michael, make their home in Nashville, Tennessee and have three children, Dylan, Jordan and Brenan.