Erick was born in Owen Sound on October 1, 1949. Erick, along with his sister and three younger brothers, spent their growing up years in small southwestern Ontario towns. In 1961, the Traplin family moved to Waterloo and Erick has been living in the Kitchener-Waterloo area ever since. Today, Erick lives with his lovely wife, Ruth, in Paradise Lake (St Clements) – a small, friendly settlement just outside of Kitchener-Waterloo.

His mother says, "Erick used to sing away in his crib for hours in the morning, entertaining himself, and anyone else who was listening…". At 15, Erick won a plastic ukulele and learned to play a few chords. He soon graduated to his father’s guitar, and eventually bought himself a secondhand electric guitar and amplifier. Erick developed his singing voice as a member of various church and school choirs. His enthusiasm and talent for anything musical grew quickly -- Erick soon realized that music would play a big part in his life.

Erick’s passion for music was strongly influenced by his parents. They taught him the importance of family values and encouraged him to use his music to strengthen the bonds of family and friends. Erick and his family often played at special occasions, where his father would get out his guitar and his mother would sing beautiful harmonies.

In 1989, Erick decided to make music his full-time career and has never looked back. That year, he played his first show as a professional children’s performer in Walkerton. Since then, Erick has been sharing his appreciation and love for music with children, parents and educators all across Ontario -- at schools, fairs, libraries, daycare centres, picnics, music festivals, and community and corporate events.

Erick has become adept at arranging, recording, and producing his own music – and he’s given some aspiring musicians the chance to experience recording their own demos.

Erick’s songwriting projects:

2008 - Released his first DVD "Live At The Registry Theatre".  Erick's show filmed at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener. 

2006 - Released his fifth CD "Pick It Up" of original and traditional songs dealing with environment, respect and just plain fun. "It's playing in the car all the time"

2002 - Released his fourth CD "Bubbles" A collection of original and traditional songs that kids absolutely love.

2001 - Released his third children's CD "The Christmas Mouse" a family oriented Christmas CD. "my kids are still playing it ...and it's July!"

2000 - Wrote four songs for "Kids Ability" (formerly The Rotary Children's Centre" and compiled a CD of children’s songs, called Kids' Can't Wait... For Your Helping Hand. So far, the CD has raised approximately $15,000 for the Centre.

1998 - Released his second children’s tape (now on CD!) called, "Songs for the Young and Young at Heart". The feedback from kids and parents has been great: "My kids play it all the time", "It’s cool", and "I love it!".

1993 - Released his first children’s tape (now on CD!) of original music called, "Behind My Attic Door". It’s been received with comments like, "My kids just love it", "They won’t go in the car with out it", "It’s great", and "It’s my kids favorite tape".

Erick has also written a children's book called "The Christmas Mouse" and is working on 2 more children's books.

• A Recipient of the Kitchener Waterloo Arts Award

• A Recipient of the Butterfly Award as an outstanding supporter of KidsAbility

Erick has performed at these major events:

• Emceed and played for Toonie Tuesdays at Kitchener City Hall for the past 12 years. A  family show that runs every Tuesday evening during the month of July. Proceeds are raised for Family Children's Services of Waterloo Region.

• Emceed and played for Kitcheners Festival of the Night for the past 12 years - A fun-filled family oriented New Year’s celebration at Kitchener City Hall.

• Keynote Performer for Kindergarten Teacher Conference in Toronto, Ontario

• Toddle For Tots a fund raiser for Ronald MacDonald House,

• Erick has also appeared on C.K.C.O. TV’s McLean and Company, Town and Country, Sunday A.M. and the "Daytime Show" on Roger's Television.

• Labrador Arts Festival, Special Guest in Lynn Lake Manitoba, Sandy Lake Ontario, Santa's Village in Bracebridge  Ontario, Halifax Nova Scotia Library tour, Montreal, Oshawa, Kingston, Peterborough, Chatham, Forest, Tilsonburg, Caledonia, Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Bradford, Brantford, Simcoe, Sudbury Summerfest, Owen Sound and many many more cities and towns throughout Eastern Canada