(First seen in a Fan Club newsletter)
1. Eric, can you tell us a little of your background?
I was raised in Barbados as well as Montreal. I attended Concordia University, majoring in Sociology and Management. For many years, football was a big part of my life but during off-season I worked security for all the big shows that passed through Montreal, as well as other cities in North America. I've been doing this type of work for over 13 years.
2. And how did you come to be in Céline and René's employ?
I met Céline and René only after I had spoken with René about bringing Céline to Madonna's show in Montreal. That was in '92, if I'm not mistaken. About two days before Madonna's show, René called the production office to make sure that Céline would have some security around her. Now, at the time I was living in New York City and Céline was just breaking into the US market. I mean, I'd heard of her but I had no idea how big she was in Canada. So when René requested security, I said to myself 'why'? I soon found out. As we escorted Céline into the stadium the fans went wild! As soon as the show ended, René commented on the possibility of working together. Now in the music business people often say things but actually acting on it is a whole different story. But René was true to his word. It's been 5 years since that day and I still work for the best two people in the world.
3. What exactly are your responsibilities, on tour and at other times?
I'm Céline's Head of Security all over the world. When we're on tour it's my responsibility to make sure that Céline gets to and from every event without incident. When we fly, I'm the first person to deplane. This gives me the opportunity to check and deal with any possible problems.
4. What 's the best part of your job? The worst?
The best part is not only getting a chance to see the world but also working with the two best bosses ever. Céline and René trust me to do my job well. But don't be fooled, if Céline doesn't like something she has no fear in telling me so. The two of them have put together an all-star staff that give 100% to the job at hand. They make all of us feel like family. Under sometimes stressful conditions you have to love your job, and I do very much.
5. How do you spend your spare time?
In the mornings I work out, lifting weights and running. I love to shop for stuff, around the world. If I have the chance, I'll take some time to explore the town we're in. And movies, I try to see as many as I can. And sports, I always try to catch live games. It doesn't matter what sport because I enjoy them all. But one of the best things about traveling is being able to go out dancing. Let me tell you, there are a lot of wonderful clubs around the world and I make sure that I get into all of them!
6. What changes have you noticed since you started working with Céline?
When you work for one of the biggest pop stars in the world, you deal with a lot things. One change has been in my ability to deal with crowds of people. I don't like a lot of attention but with Céline it's all around us.
People remember me because of my association with Céline -- or is It because I'm not exactly the smallest person in the world?
7. What is Céline like when she's not working?
Céline is so down-to-earth it's unreal. She loves a good laugh so I make sure to crack her up once in a while. When she's not working (which is practically never), she's off playing golf, her new-found love. Or shopping. Other than that she has a pretty normal day off. She likes to take care of herself and is in great shape.
8. Can you describe an average day on tour?
To start the day off right, I need to do my work-out first thing in the morning. Later on in the day, I would conduct my pre-show security meeting. Soon after, I would escort Céline to a sound check. Céline loves it when her fans really get into the show, especially when they get up and dance or sing along. So I'll talk with the local security and try to get them to ease up a bit and relax. When her fans are happy, Céline is happy, so I try and make sure everyone is happy.
9 I've heard there's a lot of silliness (as well as professionalism) that goes on behind the scenes. Any particular moments stick out?
Last year René and I started what we call 'the tap game'. The rules are simple, if you get tapped on the shoulder and look in the direction of the tap, you lose a point. The object is to look in the direction opposite to the side you got tapped on. One day while in Germany I was leading the game 5 to 4. René did something I will never forget. While standing in front of the stage during a show, René decided he was going to get me. This will go down in history as the best. This man got down on his hands and knees and crawled under the stage. Now this is a dangerous thing to do, but René did it anyway. So I'm standing out front, watching the fans while Céline is singing on stage behind me. Now, I have no reason to think that René would be under the stage so I'm just doing my job. Then all of a sudden I feel a tap on my left shoulder, so I look to the left. No one. Then I feel a tap on my right, so I look to the right. No one. René had tapped me on both sides and sneaked back under the stage, now leading 6 to 5. I was so angry! But In the end I still won, 10 to 9. We have done a lot of silly things but I think that was the best one yet. Right now, we're trying to see who can open a door for Céline first but I'm kicking his butt. I won't tell you the score but it's bad.
10. Do you ever miss living a 'normal' life?
I do have a normal life because if I didn't I'd be going mad. In this business you have to maintain some sense of normalcy. The fancy hotels, planes and cars, all of it can really do a number on you. When you get home that way of life is not your own. I don't pretend that I'm the 'million dollar bodyguard'. My lob is to protect Céline and not to get caught up in the fantasy. When I go home I cook, clean and wash my own stuff. I can see where people would think my life isn't normal but I'm always in control and I try to keep it that way.
11. Does Céline have any quirky habits?
To me, the only quirky thing Céline does is she likes to imitate people for her sister, Manon. She would say or do something so funny that Manon would be crying but that wouldn't stop Céline she goes on and on. A lot of their conversation would be in French but when Céline starts and Manon begins laughing, you can't help laughing yourself, even if you don't understand.
12. Have you ever wanted to sing?
Back in the day, I used to be in my church choir, singing like a bird. But I gave it all up to play football. Some day, one of Céline's backup vocalists might get sick and they might need me to fill in and I could make a comeback!
Hey, you never know!