Earl was born in Lancaster , Texas , graduated from high school there, and forgot to leave. He still resides not far from where he was born. Although there are no other musicians in his immediate family, he was born with a love for music. His first influence was at the age of 8, when he started listening to an uncle who had a band.
At the age of 12, his dad bought him his first guitar. It was a “Sears Silvertone”. By the age of 15, he had found his first love in the “steel guitar.” He acquired his love of the steel guitar by watching the steel player on the many TV shows of that era, featuring BUCK OWENS, ERNEST TUBB, JOHNNY CASH, and PORTER WAGGONER.
He played his first public appearance at the “BIG “G” for some long, forgotten local star at the age of 14. When he was 15, he met DOLLIE MOSLEY, an aging local star, at the Lancaster , Tx. Opry. She was looking for a steel player, to go with her 13 & 14 year old bass player and drummer. She hired Earl to play the steel, and even bought him his very first steel guitar.
In order to perfect his playing, he cut a deal with the Band Director at Lancaster High School . He talked him into allowing him to put his steel guitar in the band room at school, even though he was not a band member. During lunch period each day, Earl would go and practice. Even today, before rehearsal starts, he is at the Opry early practicing.
One of the great country steel players from this area, was JULIAN THARP. Earl finally got to meet Julian, and even bought his first steel guitar from him. He started playing at the “BIG G”, FARMERSVILLE OPRY, and finally at the LANCASTER OPRY.
From 1974-1976 he played “THE COUNTRY SPOT” in Arlington , Tx. with Dick Bridges. In 1976, he joined the “Will Sherman Band” for 2 years. During 1978 & 1979, he played with the late “Johnny Duncan”, and opened for such stars as “Wynn Stewart” & “Bobby Bare” at Panther Hall in Fort Worth , Tx.
Other than an occasional job here and there, Earl was out of music until he joined Cowboy Weaver at the Mesquite Opry in 1981. He stayed there until 1986, at which time he left to join a “Heavy Metal” band. He also worked some spots on “Shooting” Jim Newton’s TV show on channel 11.
After many failed attempts, we finally talked him into joining the Wylie Opry in March of 1990. As they say: THE REST IS HISTORY.
Earl has been a member of the TEXAS STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION for almost 20 years. In 1992, 1996, 2001, & 2003 he was named “Honorable Mention Steel Guitar Player of the Year.
He was named STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR, in 2001 by the METROPLEX COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION. He was a member of that organizations All star Band, for 3 consecutive years, an honor that no other musician achieved.
He was also STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR in the COAST TO COAST magazine awards , for the years 2000 & 2002
Earl said that he considered the highlight of his career was “coming to the Wylie opry and having the opportunity to play with KENNY SERATT & MICKEY GILLEY. We at the Opry, consider one of the highlights of our existence here, is having EARL BRIGGS as a member of the Texas Legend Band.