I usually play with myself. (That didn't sound right...) I play with a mini-band that includes Rick O'Connor (percussion and vocals) and Bruce Hathaway(vocals). And I play in a band called "Connections," but that's another story.
Eventually, I'm going to release another CD, which is mostly done in fact. And on that CD, there are lots of fine musicians to hear:
-- Rachel Bissex,
-- Billy Jonas,
-- Reggie Rueffer,
-- Annie Benjamin,
-- Beth Cahill
Influences
Anybody from the Kerrville Folk Festival, David Wilcox, John Gorka, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor, Patty Larkin, Peirce Pettis, Carole King, Billy Joel, Chicago, Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin, Stephen Bishop, Shawn Colvin, Indigo Girls, Lyle Lovett, Elton John, America, Dave Loggins, Michael Martin Murphey, Paul McCartney, Nilsson, Bread, Jim Croce, Todd Rungren, Don McClean, Arlo Guthrie, Bill Withers, Janis Joplin, Greatful Dead, Beatles, Richie Havens, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, John Denver, Joan Baez, Dave Mason, The Who, Michael Penn, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Cheryl Wheeler, Peter Mayer, John Mayer, Susan Werner, Christine Lavin, The Dixie Chicks, Nancy Griffith, Ellis Paul, Tom Prasada-Rao, Jewell, Hootie and the Blowfish, Bruce Hornsby.
Sounds Like
Um...music? I give up..
OK, well maybe like some of these folks....James Taylor, David Wilcox, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Bishop, Peter Mayer, Kerrville Folk Festival performers.
Believe it or not, folks actually *do* ask me from time to time, "So, is that your real name?"
And my response is: "Uh, yeah." And at that moment? In my head, I am paraphrasing "A League of Their Own..."
("There's no stage names in folk music!!!" )
I like songs with images in them that serve as metaphors take you to a deeper place. I like songs that are slightly obscure, like that last sentence. I like songs that have spirituality in them, without being preachy, dogmatic, or sectarian (look it up...). Those are among the songs I try to write. Sometimes, I'd like to think I succeed.
I have a really amazing website, with a blog attached to it, that I have spent hours creating and maintaining. But it seems to me nobody visits websites anymore. Just Myspace pages.
But, if I have managed to make you nostalgic for websites with this sad commentary, please knock yourself out and go here. (Hey, if pity works...)
As for who I am, outside of the music, here is a good place to start. This blog blog will tell you more about my inner struggles. I think you can learn a lot about somebody from the quotes they write down to keep for later. So here are some of my favorites. These are the iPod songs that my iPod tells me I am listening to most right now, and here are the books I am currently reading.
But enough about me. Now for some shameless self promotion, written in the third person to sound more impressive...
Awards
* Eric was a 2003 semi-finalist in the Wildflower Festival Songwriter Contest.
* Eric was a 2004 finalist at the South Florida Folk Festival Songwriter Competition.
* Eric was a 2004 finalist at the Fifth Street Festival Songwriter Competition.
* Eric's song I Will Sing has won three prestigious awards:
--Honorable Mention in the 9th Annual Billboard Songwriter Contest
--Honorable Mention in the Great American Song Contest.
--It has also been chosen for a United Nations project, "New Songs for Peace."
Prairie Chapel Road
Eric's song "Prarie Chapel Road" has been called the "unofficial song of Camp Casey" in Crawford Texas, and has been downloaded over 3,000 times since August 2005.
Connections Band
Eric is also a part of "Connections," a cover band that stages "tribute shows" to raise money for charity. Past shows have included Dan Fogelberg, Chicago, the Eagles, James Taylor, and Carole King. To date these shows have raised more than $25,000 for worthy causes.
Quotes, and More Info
* A number of critics give Eric's CD, "Songs for the Time Being," high praise.
* Eric has shared the stage with the likes of David Wilcox, Joan Baez, Tom Prasada-Rao, Cary Cooper, Terri Hendrix, James McMurtry, Jana Stanfield, The Burns Sisters, Rachel Bissex, Peter Mayer, Bethany Yarrow, Rhett Butler, Beth Wood, Brad Thompson, Elizabeth Wills, Bill Nash, Annie Benjamin, Jayson Bales, Tracie Merchant, Elizabeth Wills, and a host of Dallas's best songwriters.
* Bob Ackerman, Dallas singer-songwriter, says "Eric's songs tell stories the way a good movie does."
* Cary Pierce, of Jackopierce, says "Eric's songs have that lullaby quality that reminds me of the stuff I grew up on."
that is great song isn't it!! yes i am thrilled and I lost weight too so its all good! hope you guys are doing good and I'll be sure to check out the new website!! thanks for the sweet words!
May I borrow some of YourSpace to promote MyNewCD?
The all new, all original CRUELTY is now available
Including 13 songs from the mind of Southpaw Jones
Order now at southpawjones. com
Purchase the CD or high quality MP3s at cdbaby. com
Check out a preview track at my profile or my site
We would like to invite you to subscribe to our blog as we start our series on "What is Folk Music?" We will be learning about the History of Folk Music and showcasing Musicians as well as keeping you updated on what is happening at the 61st Annual Ozark Folk Festival.
probably because nobody in God's green earth would say "Hey, darling, let's take a vacation to Fort Worth Texas!!" - been there. I can't say Dallas/FW is my favorite spot in the world.... (just kidding - maybe)
Hope to see you back up in Fayetteville, Arkansas. With yor guitar. We will miss you at the songwriter conference this year. Ozark Skittle Music lives.
So since you were the only one who ventured a guess, you just need to email me your adress and I'll try to record you a mix of songs you haven't heard before.
You know with such similar tastes of mine, it might be hard.
It's good to be part of myspace. I saw on your page that you're in DC. I just got home from there. Hope your flights are better than mine - the delay time was longer than the flight - both ways!
Greetings from Nashville and thanks for the "Vlog" about the Mississippi Gulf Coast. That's where I come from and I'm glad you are bringing help and attention to that area. God Bless and travel safely, Les Kerr
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