Steady Eddie is the saxophone player in Herman’s band. He takes Bud under his wing and is the one to give Bud his first instrument, a flute, as well as his old saxophone case for Bud to put his things in. Bud’s switch from his suitcase to Eddie’s saxophone case hints at the growing trust between the two eventual “band mates,” as Bud shows that he is willing to give up some parts of his old life that he looked to for stability for the promise of a new life with Eddie and his new family. Towards the end, Eddie and the other members of the band give Bud his very own “baby” saxophone, again solidifying Bud’s place among them and showing their commitment to teaching him and guiding him through life like a family would. Eddie also promises to give Bud saxophone lessons, cementing their growing friendship and closeness with this promise. Bud gladly accepts the proposition and the chance to follow in Eddie’s footsteps by mastering the saxophone and becoming a contributing part of their musical family.
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Steady Eddie Character Timeline in Bud, Not Buddy
The timeline below shows where the character Steady Eddie appears in Bud, Not Buddy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 13
...of the bandmates: the Thug, Dirty Deed (the only white band member), Doo-Doo Bug, and Steady Eddie . He tells them to make Bud feel comfortable.
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...go with them for dinner, and he and Herman will come separately. The “sax man,” Steady Eddie , then gets Bud to help him grab his saxophone case to bring to the...
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...daddy and kiss him at the Sweet Pea. Bud, however, decides to ignore the advice. Steady Eddie emphasizes that Bud should pay no mind to The Thug and tells Bud to instead...
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The Thug pretends to write down what Bud said, but Steady Eddie chastises him and tells him that he and Bud are “too dang hungry to hear...
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When they get to Sweet Pea, Steady Eddie tells Bud that he’s a “tough little nut” that doesn’t cry like “most folks his...
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Chapter 14
...a table with a woman. He sees there’s one more table reserved for “NBC,” which Steady Eddie says stands for “Nobody But Calloway” because it’s too hard to keep up with the...
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...table to ask if one of the other band members will switch seats with him. Steady Eddie eventually beats the others and volunteers to sit with Bud because “he’s got the look...
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...Bud and orders the same thing for herself. Bud is amazed to see Jimmy and Steady Eddie order different things and thinks about “rich folks” that “[go] to restaurants once a week.”
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Bud also notices how Steady Eddie looks when Tyla comes around, and how he always has a toothpick in his mouth....
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Chapter 16
Bud rushes back upstairs after he hears Steady Eddie ’s voice hinting at a present for him. He loudly closes the door to alert...
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Miss Thomas tells Bud that lunch will be ready soon, and Steady Eddie invites him to sit down. Miss Thomas eventually jokingly asks him if his ears were...
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Steady Eddie then asks Bud about his suitcase and if he’s attached to the suitcase itself or...
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Steady Eddie then gifts Bud with a new case, similar to the ones the other members carry...
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Steady Eddie tells Bud that to be in the band, he’ll have to practice for “two hours...
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...is better for Bud than it was for the rest of the band. Bud hands Steady Eddie his recorder and stands up. Steady Eddie then asks Jimmy to proceed with the naming,...
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Steady Eddie suggests “Sleepy,” but it doesn’t quite fit, so Doo-Doo Bug suggests “Bone.” Eventually The Thug...
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Chapter 17
...like soft rain on someone’s roof and Dirty Deed’s music like the Niagara Falls. When Steady Eddie plays, Bud thinks it’s the most beautiful sound he’s ever heard.
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Miss Thomas talks as she sings, according to Bud, and Steady Eddie uses his saxophone to answer, like a conversation between the two of them (with some...
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Chapter 18
Steady Eddie tells Bud that Herman always has a white person in the band for “practical reasons.”...
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Chapter 19
Steady Eddie tells Bud that because he’s been working so hard on the recorder, they’ve put their...
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Steady Eddie helps him take it out and puts the horn together to play it. He tells...
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...promises he’ll be just as good as them in three weeks, making the band laugh. Steady Eddie promises to start giving him lessons. He also promises to bring back sheet music after...
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...to hear him perform with them in three weeks. Bud asks to be excused and Steady Eddie excuses him. Bud thanks his bandmates again profusely on his way out.
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