Eugene Earle was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, in 1926. In addition to amassing a large collection of country and western, blues, and jazz sound recordings, he also became a discographer and a founder and president of the John Edwards Memorial Foundation (JEMF). Earle is also responsible for rediscovering and recording a number of country musicians, including Doc Watson, Jimmie Tarlton, and the Carolina Tarheels.

From the description of Eugene Earle collection, 1939-1980s. WorldCat record id: 70158939

Eugene Earle was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, on 2 November 1926. Earle's interest in country music began at age eleven. In addition to amassing a large collection of country and western, blues, and jazz sound recordings, he also became a dedicated discographer, as well as a founder and president of the John Edwards Memorial Foundation (JEMF).

During the mid-1950s, Earle began corresponding with other collectors and became acquainted with John Edwards of Australia. Edwards, one of the first collectors of early American country music and a pioneer of discographical research, encouraged Earle to begin his own research. This advice led Earle to create the first of many discographies related to American folk music, and a friendship was forged between the two collectors. After a fatal 1960 car accident that ended Edwards's life, his will provided that Earle be made executor of his collection and that it be housed in the United States.

With the help of Archie Green, Eugene Earle donated Edwards's collection to establish the John Edwards Memorial Foundation (JEMF), which aimed at furthering the study of American folk music of the 1920s-1940s. In addition to founding the JEMF, avid collecting, and extensive discographical research, Earle is also responsible for rediscovering and recording a number of country musicians, including Doc Watson, Jimmie Tarlton, and the Carolina Tarheels.

From the guide to the Eugene Earle Collection, 1939-1980s, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection.)