Eli "Paperboy" Reed over for two festivals: Blues Peer and Zwarte Cross

Eli “Paperboy” Reed is a survivor and one of the key artists who helped bring unapologetically soulful music back into the spotlight. Raised outside of Boston, Reed’s journey took a defining turn when he moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi at just 18, learning his craft in the juke joints of the Delta. He later spent a formative year in Chicago as minister of music at the Southside church of soul legend Mitty Collier, sharpening both his voice and musical identity.

After returning to Boston, Reed released his debut album Roll with You in 2008, and his explosive falsetto and strong pop sensibility quickly drew international attention. Tours, festival appearances, and television spots followed, along with major label releases like Come and Get It (2010) and Nights Like This (2014), which further established his reputation as a dynamic live performer and prolific artist.

Beyond his own recordings, Reed has also dedicated time to education and mentorship. Starting in 2013, he taught gospel quartet harmony to at-risk youth in Harlem through the Gospel for Teens program, eventually forming The Harlem Gospel Travelers, a group he produced and guided to critical acclaim with their 2019 debut on Colemine Records. His own work continued to evolve as well, particularly after becoming a father, leading to the Memphis-recorded 99 Cent Dreams, featuring The Masqueraders on backing vocals and guest appearances that underline his wide musical reach.

Now nearly two decades into his career, Reed has become an elder statesman of modern soul, still driven by energy, feeling, and raw emotional power. In 2022 he fulfilled a long-held ambition by recording an album of Merle Haggard interpretations, which also brought him to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Through every chapter, Eli “Paperboy” Reed remains an artist defined by grit, growth, and uncompromising soul.

Two festivals are lined-up of Eli "Paperboy" Reed:
23/05: Peer, BE - Blues Peer
17/07: Lichtenvoorde, NL - Zwarte Cross