.png)
Who is Eric Grate?
Eric Grate was born in the rugged town of Greenfield, Ohio, nestled in the heart of Appalachia. This tough little community, with its proud independence and a history steeped in struggle, shaped him from a young age. When he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 19, he carried the indomitable spirit of Greenfield with him, instilling him with grit and determination that define him to this day.
As a storyteller, Eric delves into the lives of resilient individuals as they navigate harsh realities. His narratives—whether fiction or non-fiction—are imbued with authenticity and raw emotion. The theme of struggle against adversity runs through all his work, which he aptly dubs “Iron & Dirt.” This phrase encapsulates the essence of human endurance and the beauty found in hardship, vividly reflecting the world he knows so well.
Subscribe here to stay informed and receive special offers.
Discover Eric Grate's
Books
The Notorious Adams Boys
The true story of Country Music's top touring band.
They were as tough as they were talented. My first non-fiction book! Launching April 20, 2026
Snapshots in Time
Twenty hardscrabble vignettes that drop you into the middle of chaos, leaving you to figure it out.
The Streets of Greenfield
Experience life on the tough streets of Greenfield, Ohio. A collection of short stories that will leave you shaken.
Launching April 20, 2026
The Notorious Adams Boys
The True Story of Country Music's Top Touring Band
With my latest project, I am stepping away from the hardscrabble fiction genre that defined my first two books and stepping into the world of nonfiction with my first biography.
The Notorious Adams Boys tells the story of a trio of brothers from Greenfield, Ohio, who traveled all over North America and beyond while performing on stage and in the recording studio with some of country music’s biggest stars of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Arnie, Don, and Gary Adams were the heart and soul of the backing bands for two country music legends. From 1962 to 1966, and again from 1979 to 1980, they played with George Jones as "The Jones Boys", and from 1972 to 1976 with Johnny Paycheck as "The Lovemakers".
In a career that spanned from 1960 into the 1990s, the boys also played with Ray Price, Little Jimmy Dickens, Merle Haggard, Ferlin Husky, Stonewall Jackson, Barbara Fairchild, and Marty Robbins.
I am currently doing research for the book by way of interviews with Don Adams, his family, and friends, as well as a multitude of performers, country music insiders, DJs, and fans, and by combing through years’ worth of news articles, videos of their performances, studio recordings, and photo albums. I can’t estimate how many hours I will devote to this book, but I know it will be worth it. The story of the Adams Boys needs to be told.
I invite you to stay up to date on my progress by checking this page regularly and following me on social media.
Cover Reveal
For the Notorious Adams Boys
I am pleased to reveal the book cover for my upcoming book, The Notorious Adams Boys. Michelle Grate designed the cover.
Any future revisions will be minor.
Ralph May to write the Foreword to The Notorious Adams Boys.
I am pleased to announce that acclaimed country/rock vocalist and Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame member, Ralph May, has agreed to write the Foreword for my upcoming book, The Notorious Adams Boys.
Ralph is well known in country music, having performed in the mid 1970s alongside the Adams Boys and the legendary Johnny Paycheck, as well as ..........
