eli paperboy reed

Biography

Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, born around 1983-1984 in the Boston area, graduated from Brookline High School in 2001 (or 2002 per some accounts) and immediately pursued music full-time. After high school, he moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 2002, immersing himself in juke joints like Red’s Lounge, where he fronted The Wesley Jefferson Southern Soul Band as guitarist, singer, and frontman in a trial-by-fire environment. He later played organ and guitar in the Chicago church of gospel legend Mitty Collier before returning to Boston by 2005, where he busked daily in Harvard Square, drove a flower delivery van, and self-released his debut album Sings Walkin’ and Talkin’ (and other Smash Hits!) in 2005, pressing 300 CDs recorded live to analog tape.[1][5]

Reed's career accelerated with his first all-original album Roll With You in 2008, produced by Ed Valauskas at Q Division Studios, earning critical acclaim and leading to a Capitol Records deal in 2009 for Come and Get It (2010). Major label challenges culminated in the less-supported Nights Like This, prompting a return to Brooklyn after the label's decline in 2015. He rebounded with My Way Home (2016) on Yep Roc Records, followed by 99 Cent Dreams (2019) recorded at Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis with producer Matt Ross-Spang and drummer Ken Coomer, and a Merle Haggard tribute during 2020 lockdowns. His style blends retro soul, gospel, R&B, blues, and funk, marked by raw, soulful vocals, guitar, and harmonica, honed through relentless live performance.[1][2]

Now over 20 years into his career, Reed resides in Brooklyn, where parenthood—daughter Stella (born 2016) and son Oscar (2019)—has deepened his songwriting maturity. He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, maintained high standards across nine albums, and continues touring with sweaty, searing live sets, embodying resilience in indie soul revival.[1][2]

Fun Facts

• Worked as a flower delivery van driver in Boston mornings while busking in Harvard Square afternoons for tips, calling it 'the best job I ever had,' and practiced guitar, harmonica, and singing 3-4 hours daily above 50 degrees.[1]
• First 'professional' gig was fronting The Wesley Jefferson Southern Soul Band at rough juke joint Red’s Lounge in Clarksdale, MS, playing 9 PM-1 AM shortly after high school graduation.[1][3]
• Recorded 99 Cent Dreams live in just nine days at Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis, using the echo chamber once used by Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and others.[2]
• Fulfilled a long-held dream during 2020 COVID lockdowns by recording a full album of Merle Haggard covers like 'Workin’ Man Blues' and 'Mama Tried,' leading to a Grand Ole Opry performance.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Mitty Collier - Gospel legend whose southside Chicago church provided early playing experience on organ and guitar (Church performances) [Early 2000s]

Key Collaborators

• Ed Valauskas - Musician and producer who discovered Reed and produced debut originals (Roll With You (2008)) [2008]
• Matt Ross-Spang - Producer for key album (99 Cent Dreams (2019)) [2019]
• Ken Coomer - Drummer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo) who joined recording sessions (99 Cent Dreams (2019)) [2019]
• The Masqueraders - Legendary Memphis vocal group providing backing vocals (99 Cent Dreams (2019), including 'Couldn’t Find A Way') [2019]
• Wesley Jefferson Southern Soul Band - Early band where Reed played guitar, sang, and fronted (Live gigs at Red’s Lounge) [2002]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Cut Ya Down (My Way Home)
2. Movin' (My Way Home)
3. Your Sins Will Find You Out (My Way Home)
4. Workin' Man Blues (Down Every Road)
5. Today I Started Loving You Again (Down Every Road)
6. 99 Cent Dreams (feat. Big Daddy Kane)
7. Come And Get It (Come And Get It)
8. If There Ever Comes a Day (Good Will Prevail)
9. IDKWYCTD (I Came To Play)
10. Come And Get It (Come And Get It)

External Links

• Spotify