Edward Garvin Futch, known professionally as Eddy Raven, was born on August 19, 1944, in Lafayette, Louisiana. As the eldest of ten children, he was exposed to a variety of musical influences from a young age, including Cajun music, country sounds from radio broadcasts like the Louisiana Hayride, New Orleans blues, and rock and roll. Initially considering a career in baseball, a broken ankle redirected his path towards music. By the age of 13, he was performing in a band.

Raven began his professional music career in 1962, releasing the single "Once a Fool" under the name Eddy Raven due to a printing error, which he decided to keep as his stage name. After moving back to Louisiana, he worked at La Louisianne Records, where he released his first album, "That Cajun Country Sound." His career gained momentum when fellow Cajun musician Jimmy C. Newman helped him secure a publishing contract with Acuff-Rose Music, leading to songwriting opportunities for artists like Don Gibson and Connie Smith.

In 1974, Raven moved to Nashville and began recording for ABC Records, achieving his first charted single with "The Last of the Sunshine Cowboys." His major commercial success came between 1984 and 1990 with RCA Records, where he scored six number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including hits like "I Got Mexico" and "Shine, Shine, Shine." Throughout his career, Raven charted more than thirty-five singles and released numerous albums, blending country, Cajun, and pop influences.

Despite a decline in chart success in the 1990s, Raven continued to record and perform into the 21st century. He also wrote songs for a wide range of artists, including The Oak Ridge Boys and Kenny Chesney. Eddy Raven's music is characterized by its rich lyrical imagery and diverse musical influences, making him a distinctive figure in the country music landscape.