Erik Yates - vocals, banjo, guitar, flute.
Past collaborators have included Asher Fulero (keys, vocals), Sharon Gilchrist (mandolin, vocals), Bryan Horne (bass), Julian Fritz (drums) and Aaron Redner (fiddle).
Influences
The Band, Gillian Welch, John Hartford, CSNY, Ella Fitzgerald, Peter Rowan, The Mother Hips, Gary Snyder, Robert Plant, Greg Brown, Jeff Tweedy, JGB, Bill Evans (the banjo player), my bandmates, my radio, etc....
I've always loved too many instruments, and too many kinds of music. When I headed off to college in Oregon, I was singing and playing saxophone, flute and piano. While there, I fell in love with folk music and was led to the banjo, which should keep me plenty busy for awhile. I don't know why it happened this way, but it did. Regardless, my greatest love is songwriting, trying to make a little sense of living and losing everything. I sort of juggle the sideman and frontman hats, as do all my bandmates in Hot Buttered Rum, my main gig. I hope to put on as many shows as possible, both with acoustic and electric friends, in between shows with HBR. I also hope to get my current batch of songs out on an album sometime this year.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith’s the star that we glance Attending Christ’s churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Hey there. Can't wait for the Hot Buttered Rum show in Des Moines Wed. We've spread the butter in a major way, and are stoked that our friends are opening for ya. Safe travels and much respect. Peace, sarah and john
