Photo by: Nicolette Nagy

Hey, my name is Edwin Barker. My stage name is Eddie B. I'm still very much a novice at this spittin' thing, but I am very much needed in the group for my mature, calming influence. No telling where these wild crazy women might lead if left uncalmed. Actually, I just hang on for the ride and occassionally say, "Hey, look at that!" or "What about this?" and other mature observations.
I've always considered myself a wordsmith, but many years of careless, self-defeating behavior left me with little to show for it.
During the course of the last three years I have been in a program that has helped me begin to recover from the actions that had led me to places that I was not happy to be.
And ThirdEye gives me opportunities to replace destructive behaviors with those that are worthwhile.
In the summer of 2005 I walked into the local "cultured" coffee bar as Lacey was on stage in the middle of one of her now famous "early" pieces. I said "Wow!" with my jaw hanging open. I had never seen or heard anything like it. Kylie was emcee that night, ThirdEyeSpoken's second show. I had found a new passion. After attending a few more shows, I tried performing (no time for that story) and soon became a member of the production team. I am so proud to be involved with these guys in ThirdEyeSpoken. With the help of other groups in town, we are indeed taking spoken word performance to new levels in Gainesville. And we are truly committed to continue giving back to the community.
I have a ways to go to really "spit" on stage, but I'm lovin' sputterin'!