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• Erick’s Beginnings
Erick was born in Owen Sound on October 1, 1949. Erick, along with his sister and three younger brothers, spent their growing up years in small southwestern Ontario towns. In 1961, the Traplin family moved to Waterloo and Erick has been living in the Kitchener-Waterloo area ever since. Today, Erick lives with his lovely wife, Ruth, in
Paradise Lake (St Clements) – a small, friendly settlement just outside of Kitchener-Waterloo.
• Performing from a Young Age
His mother says, "Erick used to sing away in his crib for hours in the morning, entertaining himself, and anyone else who was listening…". At 15, Erick won a plastic ukulele and learned to play a few chords. He soon graduated to his father’s guitar, and eventually bought himself a secondhand electric guitar and amplifier. Erick developed his singing voice as a member of various church and school choirs. His enthusiasm and talent for anything musical grew quickly -- Erick soon realized that music would play a big part in his life.
• Strong Family Values
Erick’s passion for music was strongly influenced by his parents. They taught him the importance of family values and encouraged him to use his music to strengthen the bonds of family and friends. Erick and his family often played at special occasions, where his father would get out his guitar and his mother would sing beautiful harmonies.
• Going Pro
In 1989, Erick decided to make music his full-time career and has never looked back. That year, he played his first show as a professional children’s performer in Walkerton. Since then, Erick has been sharing his appreciation and love for music with children, parents and educators all across Ontario -- at schools, fairs, libraries, daycare centres, picnics, music festivals, and community and corporate events.
• Songwriter & Producer
Erick has become adept at arranging, recording, and producing his own music – and he’s given some aspiring musicians the
chance to experience recording their own demos.Erick’s songwriting projects:
2002 - Released his fourth CD "Bubbles" A collection of original and traditional songs that kids absolutely love.
2001 - Released his third children's CD "The Christmas Mouse" a family oriented Christmas CD. "my kids are still playing it ...and it's July!"
2000 - Wrote four songs for "Kids Ability" (formerly The Rotary Children's Centre" and compiled a CD of children’s songs, called Kids' Can't Wait... For Your Helping Hand. So far, the CD has raised approximately $15,000 for the Centre.
1998 - Released his second children’s tape (now on CD!) called, "Songs for the Young and Young at Heart". The feedback from
kids and parents has been great: "My kids play it all the time", "It’s cool", and "I love it!".
1993 - Released his first children’s tape (now on CD!) of original music called, "Behind My Attic Door". It’s been received with comments like, "My kids just love it", "They won’t go in the car with out it", "It’s great", and "It’s my kids favorite
tape".
• Author
Erick has also written a children's book called "The Christmas Mouse" and is working on 2 more children's books.
• Notable Events
Erick has performed at these major events:
• Emceed and played for Toonie Tuesdays at Kitchener City Hall for the past seven years. A televised family show that runs every Tuesday evening during the month of July. Proceeds are raised for Family Children's
Services of Waterloo Region.
• Emceed and played for Kitchener's Festival of the Night for the past eight years - A fun-filled family oriented New Year’s celebration at Kitchener City Hall.
• Labrador Arts Festival
• Toddle For Tots a fund raiser for Ronald MacDonald House,
• Erick has also appeared on C.K.C.O. TV’s McLean and Company, Town and Country, Sunday A.M. and the "Daytime Show" on
Roger's Television.
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