Eric Durrance is a multi-talented, self-taught musician who has a soulful voice and lots of moxie. The Tallahassee native (who divides his time between his farm in Florida and Nashville) is a well-rounded singer/songwriter who attributes his personal character and allure toward country music to his family and southern upbringing. “I learned to play a little bit of everything. My stepfather was a drummer, guitarist, piano player and one heck of a singer, and my mom and grandfather taught me to sing harmony,” Durrance introduces. “My grandparents, who have been married for 53 years, are my ‘oak tree;' they're strong and faithful individuals who taught me to be honest and follow my heart…and they just love George Jones! So, I'm at home…in Country.”
Having gravitated toward the harmonious sound of The Eagles and the group's song craftsmanship, Eric developed a genuine admiration and respect for some of country music's legendary tunesmiths--Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, to name a few. Eric identifies with the simplicity of the songs written by these voices of country. “I write music that comes from my heart. I like to write music that puts body and soul out there and has a magical way of saying what everyone feels. I like to be real and I believe a good, honest song is the key to an artist's success.”
A modern-day musical Romeo, Eric has an edge that guys can appreciate and a voice and lyrics that make gals wax and wane. With his boyish charm and a subtle honey-coated twang, Eric achieves just the right balance of rebellion and southern gentility. He reveals a country refinement as he shares honest messages of love, loss, hope and inspiration. His passionate delivery is a throwback to a sweeter time when country music was “simply” a musical story. Eric Durrance brings a breath of fresh air to the genre.
From the touching ballad "Angels Fly Away," and the piano-laced progression of "Life Is Hard," to the driving rhythm and today's day-in-age lyrics of "Turn It Off," Eric's music will stir emotions in one moment and inspire rhapsody the next.
Eric's new album, ANGELS FLY AWAY, comes from the talented producers Teddy Gentry (Alabama/Emerson Drive) and Mark Bright (Rascal Flatts/Carrie Underwood).
In a business where “timing is everything,” the project seemingly came together at just the right time for Eric, who confides the entire CD captures everything he and his former manager, Dan Godwin, worked toward. Dan Godwin, to whom Eric dedicates ANGELS FLY AWAY, was a fatality of a motorcycle accident in December 2007. “Dan and I had a father/son relationship,” Eric said. “He gave me freedom and reined me in to guide me when I needed it. From a business perspective, he watched out for my best interests and reminded me to listen to my heart; from a personal perspective, he was my ‘heart and soul' manager. This CD has Dan's spirit throughout.”
Producer Teddy Gentry, who in addition to being renowned as the co-founding member of the super group, Alabama, and a musical wizard behind the board in the studio, prides himself on being a “hit hunter” and ANGELS FLY AWAY is a treasure.
“I'm really a songwriter first and I always put the song first. Teddy and I were completely in tune with one another when it came to selecting the right songs for this project,” Durance said. “He's helped us to put together a strong collection of musical stories that I think will turn the listeners' ear and then they'll hear it with heart.”
Described as a three-dimensional product, ANGELS FLY AWAY resonates heartfelt country with acoustic rock overtones echoing the sounds of John Mellencamp, The Eagles and Keith Urban and the narratives of Keith Whitley, Vern Gosdin and George Jones.
“Like good wine, Teddy taught me that a good country song has to ‘breathe.' I learned the importance of ‘tension and release,'” Eric said. “When I worked with Mark, he pushed me to my full potential; I really learned to stretch my vocal range and his philosophy is to ‘mark' your music… ‘When it's on, it's on!' I think we've found balance—and its ‘write-on'!” [Pun intended!]
The end result is like the organic food of music. Gentry and Bright's talents shine through, each producer individually creating a traditional vinyl vibe within a contemporary digital age. ANGELS FLY AWAY is as simple as that. The versatile collection has a little something for a whole lot of everyone and…it's right on the mark!
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