John Boykin Edwards

He grew up in the Charlotte area in and around Villa Heights and North Charlotte. Early on his life was influenced by music, primarily “Beach Music,” which was popular in the late 1950’s and early 60’s and continues to this day. Along with Sidney Smith, Johnny Barker, Tommy Plyler, Jack Stallings, Bob Myers, and Tommy Black they formed a band called “The Catalinas” while still in high school at Central High and then the new Garinger High in Charlotte. The band grew in popularity and played show dates throughout the Southeast and especially in the Carolinas. If you lived in the Carolinas in those days, you knew of The Catalinas and Johnny.

Their success and popularity led them to recording a number of songs that were featured on radio throughout the southeast and the country. One of their single hits, “Summertime Is Calling Me,” climbed the national Billboard record charts to #8 nationally, further adding to their popularity.

In 2013 Johnny and The Catalinas were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. The band played and sang several of their hits, much to the delight and standing “O” of the audience. It was the last time the original Catalinas and Johnny played on stage together. Besides his love for friends and family, this was the most favorite time of his life.

Johnny and his band members had to eventually get “grown-up jobs,” as he put it, to make the financial ends meet. He went to work for Southern Bell selling ads in the Yellow Pages section of the various phone books throughout the Carolinas. On the weekends The Catalinas played show dates and recorded. Johnny accepted an opportunity to work for the Charlotte Observer newspaper in Charlotte in 1965. Calling on businesses all around the Charlotte area, it wasn’t long before he knew just about everyone in town. His success at the paper led him to WBT Radio where he joined the radio advertising department in 1968 working for Harold Hinson and Cullie Tarleton, radio and television pioneers.

In 1967 he bought his mother, Hester Edwards, a home on the east side of Charlotte. She lived there for 25 years until her passing. Johnny spent the remainder of his years in that home surrounded by loving neighbors who were more like family to him.

His older brother, Hal, was always Johnny’s hero. The two were as close as two brothers could be, and Hal was vital in Johnny’s care for the last months of his life. When he required long-term health care, Hal moved him to Augusta, GA, so he could be more involved supervising Johnny’s care. It was there he passed away.

Johnny Edwards never had an enemy. He shared his talents, personality, and genuine joy of family, friends, and life with all. When someone leaves us, we are all inclined to say, “he touched many lives.” This is truer of Johnny Edwards than most anyone.

A man of faith, he attended the Hickory Grove Baptist Church and had daily chats with God. Johnny attended Central Piedmont and Charlotte College. He served his community through years of work for charitable organizations and civic activities and served his country as a member of the US Army National Guard.

He leaves his brother Hal Edwards of Augusta, nephew Travis Edwards and family in Dallas, Texas, his three godchildren, Robin Swartz of North Myrtle Beach, Rusty Shoup of Atlanta, and Jeffery Swartz of Myrtle Beach. Lifetime friends Barbara Ezell Arrington, Nina Miller, Rick Houpe, Johnny Barker, Jack Stallings, and John Reichard, and so many more.

In Johnny Edwards’ own words he may well have said of his passing,“Summertime Is Calling Me.”

There likely will not be another one like Johnny Edwards for a long time, but we can hope.