We’re looking forward to introducing you to Eric Byford . Check out our conversation below.
Eric , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Who are you learning from right now?
I am always learning from my three sons. Right now all three are in different phases of their life so I get 3 levels of perspective at once. It brings me back to memories of my own journey at their ages.
My oldest, London, is in his first year of college, working FT and has been running his own moving business with his best friend for two years. He reminds me of myself at that age but is so far ahead of me at that age. Our paths have been completely different but to witness him he continue to bust his butt, completely focused on his future without the distractions I had teaches me daily about the power of discipline and focus.
My second son is in 8th grade, gave his life to Christ last year and continues to teach me about the power of faith. He has always been on a different path especially his level of IQ. He has his own way of thinking and communication but it’s his way of absorbing the room, and not being afraid to walk his own path that teaches me so much about the power of his faith to believe in his own God given abilities with little care for what others think. It’s a sense of freedom I see in him that I believe will fuel his path with success and happiness.
My third son is just starting middle school and has had some issues adjusting but that’s where he teaches me. It’s not the mess ups in life but the willingness to understand and move forward. He’s now back on track to another year of the honor roll in class but he is his most free version on the court or field. He’s the most athletic person I’ve ever met but it’s willingness to always bet on himself that teaches me the importance of never giving up on yourself and double down on what fuels your fire.
I am without a doubt a very blessed man in regards to my greatest blessings, my sons. For a guy who lost his dad at age 2, and escaped the trauma unit at Vandy 5 months before London was born, I am forever grateful for all they teach me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an Entertainment Producer and Creative Executive with a passion for elevating voices, telling powerful stories, and creating experiences that truly resonate.
As Creator & Producer of Country in Color, I lead a groundbreaking platform that spotlights multicultural talent in country music through live concerts, digital content, and national radio.
I also serve as Host & Producer of The Eric B Show on CountyLine Radio, a weekday program featuring today’s hottest country hits, timeless classics, and independent artists shaping the future of the genre.
Beyond radio and live entertainment, I produce feature films, documentaries, branded content, and large-scale events. My credits include the award-winning documentaries Straight Up: Tennessee Whiskey and Straight Up: Kentucky Bourbon, and I’m the founder and producer of The GrandBuddy – A Veterans Benefit Show.
As a Writer, Producer, Director, Actor, and Public Speaker, I bring a 360-degree creative approach to every project. Whether developing a show, producing live television, or curating cultural experiences, I’m driven to create work that entertains, inspires, and moves audiences.
Always open to collaborating with forward-thinking creatives, studios, networks, and brands — let’s build something great together.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Being a father has without a doubt been the most influential relationship of my life. My dad died when I was two and I barely escaped a life and death situation when my first son was only 4 months into conception.
I believe the only reason I survived the Vanderbilt trauma unit was to raise my sons to be the men this world sorely needed. I believe God spared me and blessed me with three sons because He knew the pain losing my father created for me still to this day and that I would use that to pour into my sons.
Being a parent has been the most rewarding and challenging aspect of my life. There’s no playbook and we all fall short but I hope my sons know how much I truly love them.
They have impacted my life moreso than anyone. As they continue to grow, they continue to teach me about true love, living for something greater than yourself, and how incredible the gift of life truly is. I’m blessed. They are all such incredible young men.
I see through them what a difference having a father in your life can be. While on one hand it makes me question my trajectory if my father had not passed what my life would be like but moreso how blessed I am to witness them not make the same mistakes I did.
They are devout Christians, don’t smoke, drink or fall prey to the normal things teenagers do. They have seen me go through so much I believe it’s given them a light on their path. They show me the true meaning of kindness, compassion and love. They are simply put, the fuel to my fire.
Life has a way of beating you down but when I see them and recognize parts of myself younger self in them it brings me a sense of peace and purpose to continue fighting forward for who I want to be for myself and them.
When life becomes very heavy they soften the world through their love.
All I have to do is simply look at a picture or hear their voice and my spirit is renewed.
Without a doubt, my sons, London, Noah, and Wyatt have had this greatest impact on my life through our relationship as sons and father. My mother, brother and granny are right there too but my relationship with my sons has shaped me the most.
Lord thank you for my greatest blessings, my sons.
Mom, Chris and Granny I love you too! Dad thank you for continuing to be the voice of reason in my heart that rights the ship when I go awry.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Well this is a work in progress. My goal is to use all I have been through to become a motivational speaker in the next three years.
I’ve experienced quite a bit on my journey from losing my father at 2, being physically abused by my first step dad at 3, escaping life and death situations from extreme violence, watching my mom work three jobs to keep the lights on, being stabbed 10x, surviving an armed robbery, numerous ups and downs like we all have but I believe my escapes from death have shaped me to view the blessing of life a little different. Every single day above ground is a blessing.
Being a kid of a single mom who lived where we could which meant almost a new school every year, and the turmoil that brings, taught me to be quiet and observe. As a kid it bothered me I didn’t have “life long” friends or the “roots” of a stable situation.
As I got older though I realized I was comfortable being by myself which was a freedom in itself. I wasn’t afraid to travel alone and go to places I had never been. I had done that most of my childhood already.
I realized I was adept at being in a room full of strangers, sitting back observing until I did make friends with kindred energies.
I realized I had no fear of public speaking something that greatly aids me still to this day.
I realized all the things I had gone through shaped me to be able to do things I wanted to do in life. I’m a Broadcast Major, film producer, director, writer and actor. I now have my own radio show now, The Eric B Show on CountyLine Radio on Audilous. I Heart Radio, Apple Music and Audacy.
So many things have come across my path simply because I d turned that once perceived lacking or pain into my strengths.
This is why I want to and will become a motivational speaker to encourage others no matter the hand you are dealt, you can overcome whatever life throws at you. I want to use the pain I fought through to lift others. I believe this is what the Good Lord intended.
I implore anyone reading this to continue to fighting for yourself and believe better days are ahead if you simply keep showing up for yourself.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I believe my friends would say being a father means the most to me. I think everyone who knows me knows how important my sons are to me.
With that being said, it then shifts to my sons seeing me bounce back from life’s challenges, handle adversity, being accountable to their well being. It gives me a measuring stick.
I don’t believe I would be alive if it wasn’t for my first born son, London. I truly believe God spared my life to be here for him and then his brothers. I truly believe God sent London to save my life.
Nothing matters more to me than my family. My mom, brother, granny, uncles, cousins etc all mean the world to me but I would not be alive if my sons had not come to save my life.
When you’re on life support in a coma fighting tooth and nail for your life, it changes every single part of you. When you walk away from something like that you have what’s called, Survivors Guilt. You simply don’t know why you’re alive because medically there is no reason. I know in my heart of hearts why I’m still here, my sons.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
The importance of life itself. When you go through what I have you view life differently. I believe you hold the things in life that truly matter, family, time together, compassion, empathy, selflessness, a little different.
Even on your worst days you are blessed. You have survived 100% of the worst storms in your life.
The world can crumble all around you, lose everything you worked for, being outcast, whatever it is, you can overcome it all.
My brother Chris told me something once that sticks with me everyday.
“The comeback is always greater than the setback”
All I know is I have an intimate relationship with God, a very deep connection. I also know when I’m letting myself down. Having severe PTSD is a fine line of it all. It’s a double edge sword of both sides of the coin.
I truly believe though your mindset shapes your reality which is built by your perception. How you choose to handle the hills and valleys life presents is the key. They’re lessons to learn from and move forward. It can always be better or worse but your gratitude in the moment for the blessings you truly have is the greatest
weapon you have to propel yourself to all that awaits you.
If you’re not grateful for even the simple things you have in the middle of the storm how could God ever believe you would be grateful for all He has instore for you?
The small things in life truly are what matter most at the end of the day. Never give up or in.
Your breakthrough is on the other side of everything meant to destroy you.
Love yourself first and spread that love to the world. The world sorely needs you, your love, your talents and all the one of one blueprint you bring to the world.
You are a masterpiece and the only one of you that will ever exist.
Make the most of it. And give yourself the same Grace when you fall short that God gives us daily.
I love you, always.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Bookofbyford
- Linkedin: Eric Byford
- Facebook: Eric Byford
- Youtube: EBX Productions
Image Credits
Thayne Media
