No one influences more than my family and friends, but here are a few of those who have inspired me to be a musician and songwriter:
Richie Havens, Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs, Beth Hart, Stevie Wonder, Ani DiFranco , Blues Traveler, Jonatha Brooke, Pearl Jam, Etta James, Counting Crows, Nina Simone, Black Crowes, Indigo Girls, Edwin McCain, Tracy Chapman, Train, Diana Krall, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Patty Griffin, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Lenny Kravitz, Melissa Etheridge, The Beatles, Jellyfish, and very many more...
Eric Himan is so grassroots, his face is green, though his music tells a different story. Without the help of record labels, booking agents, publicists, or management, Eric Himan is touring to more places, getting great press coverage, and still has time to run his record label, Thumbcrown Records, home to his six studio albums. He just released his newest (selling out of his first shipment before the drop date), Resonate, and has five years of solid touring in the US under his belt. Magazines in the LGBT community took notice right away (The Advocate, OUT Magazine, Instinct) and newspapers (such as the Boston Herald, Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, and Phoenix New Times) interviewed him to find out what makes this work horse stay in the game despite obstacles such as major label artists, rooms that are booked by big agencies, and finding his audience. Fender Guitars even recognized his talent by not only endorsing him but featuring him in their 2004 Fender Catalogue. As he toured more frequently, he began to appear on Sirius Radio's OUTQ Channel and his music videos began heavy rotation on MTV's owned LOGO Channel. This led to a nomination for music artist this year at the NewNowNext Awards where he appeared alongside Cyndi Lauper, Project Runway's Christian Syriano, and pop sensation, Leona Lewis.
His music draws comparisons to male artists such as Maroon 5 and John Mayer but also female singer-songwriters, Ani DiFranco and Tracy Chapman. He is on his way to your town and you would be a fool to miss this much charisma. He will have you singing along to his songs till your blue in the face, or should we say green.
Upon moving to Tulsa and getting offered a local gig requiring a back-up band, Eric met the Adams duo and started performing locally. Word caught on with their audiences and started filling up the club they performed at. When Market Days requested Eric's presence at this year's festival, he decided to bring the band out of Tulsa for its first gig up north to Chicago. With Eric switching from acoustic to electric guitar, the trio performs not only music from Eric's latest, RESONATE and past releases but a covers songbook including the likes of Prince, Maroon 5, and many more. They have performed there as well as during SXSW in 08 in Austin, all over the country, and this July with make their Dfest debut in Tulsa (headliners this year include the Black Crowes)
Eric, The concert in Jackson was incredible. You are so easygoing in front of a crowd, you really are a great performer. I adore you and will definitely come see you the next time your within three hours of New Orleans. Good job on the Kings of Leon cover- you rocked it.
Rod HoltmanIf anyone in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Area would like to attend Eric's show on Friday, Sept 25th, I still have room for a few more people. Email Rod@evocativesounds.com to reserve a spot. C'mon...don't be shy!!!
It's not too late to do your part! I'll be participating in the Capital Region AIDS WALK this coming Sunday. Your sponsorship would be greatly appreciated! You can do this by clicking on the link below... ANY amount would be helpful - T...his goes to the Community AIDS Partnership of the Capital Region!
Thank you so so much for yet another AMAZING show. You never cease to amaze me with your talent. And also thank you so much for playing "Hometown Glory" for me. I LOVED it!!! I so cannot wait to hear your new cd with the Adams and I cannot wait until you come back in December. Again thank you for the awesome, entertaining night. I wish you safe travels with the rest or your tour. ALBUQUERQUE LOVES YOU!!!!
heard you did awesome again last night here at the ASC. sorry I missed it had to work you know how that goes. love the music. keep on doing what you do. :-)