Eddie Upton started singing folk songs in 1963, and for fourteen years struggled to maintain a balance between this and his part-time occupation of being a bank clerk. In 1977 he gave up the struggle and went to the University of Sussex, where he graduated in Politics. In the early 1970's he came into contact with country dancing through being a member of the Etchingham Steam Band and the Albion Dance Band. He is now regarded as one of the country's leading dance callers, with a reputation for calling dances that go beyond the standard country dance repertoire. Since 1980 he has struggled to earn a living as a full-time singer, musician, dance caller, actor, musical director, street entertainer, and anything else that comes along. In January 1987 he took up the post of Folk Artist in Residence in Gateshead, a post which was supposed to last for 12 months, but which was extended until April 1990.