Earl began his career professionally in 1948, playing piano and singing tenor for The Carolinians. He attended the Stamps-Baxter School of Music in 1950-51. There he was tutored about piano playing by "Tiny" Jack Taylor. In addition to Taylor, Earl lists other legends such as Marshall, Wally Varner, Hovie Lister, Henry Slaughter, and Livy Freeman as his top influences in piano playing.

 

     After playing with The Carolinians, he then joined the Gethsemane Quartet. Later, upon following God's plan for him, he joined the Harvesters Quartet as Pianist, and traveled for thirty-six years with them.

 

     Earl estimates that he has been on approximately 100 recordings, including three piano solo audiocassettes. His most noted instrumentals include "Keep On The Firing Line," "Jesus Hold My Hand," "Goodbye World Goodbye," "Going Home," "Getting Ready To Leave This World," and a song he wrote, "God Gives Me Strength."

 

     During a Cathedrals' concert at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC, pianist Roger Bennet called Earl, who was in the audience, to the stage to play an instrumental. Needless to say, Earl brought the house down with his piano wizardry. He received a long standing ovation.

 

     Two of his most cherished moments include sharing the stage with good friends Anthony Burger and Roger Bennet at NQC's Pianorama and receiving "A Living Legend Award" at the 1998 Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. Earl also had the honorable distinction of playing for the US Senators and Congressmen in Washington, DC.

 

     At age seventy-four, Earl is a busy man, but he wouldn't want it any other way. He is continually following his own mission of spreading the good tidings of Jesus Christ through his music.

 

     "For me there is only one right way, and that way is to follow God: to study Him, to pursue Him, and to share with others what great things He can do. Now when I accomplish these, it's a special blessing," Earl says.