Ernie Hendrickson - guitars, vocals
Brian Wilkie - guitars, pedal steel
Pete Muschong - guitar
Matt Ulery - bass
Greg Nergaard - bass
Darren Garvey, drums, percussion
Rich Stitzel - drums
Influences
Praise for the new album "DOWN THE ROAD":
"Indeed, upon evaluation of his music it becomes hard to reconcile the knowledge that Hendrickson is actually a new comer in the scene, working towards recognition. His music easily justifies the mention of his name in the same context as, dare-it-be-said, genre power house Ryan Adams."
- Fady Khalil, Jambands.com (May 2008)
"Surely a cutting-edge singer/songwriter of tomorrow, Ernie Hendrickson lives enough in the past to keep what Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Kris Kristofferson have done alive and thriving for generations."
- Jim Hagerty, Rock River Times (Mar 2008)
"Whether exploring tribal beats or graceful homegrown country hymnals, E. Hendrickson stretches the song-writing pallet. He is drawing influences from Gram Parsons' Burrito Brothers, straight through the heart of the America's Blues tradition."
- Martin Halo, JamBase (Mar 2008)
"Dark and pretty songs. Ernie Hendrickson is finding a niche in the indie folk Americana segment."
- Hans Werksman, Here comes the Flood, The Netherlands (Mar 2008)
"Groundbreaking"
- David C. Eldredge, Illinois Entertainer (Oct 2007)
Sounds Like
Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Wilco, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Norman Blake, Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead, David Grisman, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, John Hartford, Ben Harper, Jon Lennon, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Trey Anastasio, Warren Zevon, Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, John Denver, Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bill Monroe, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Lenny Kravitz, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Andres Segovia, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, John Coltrane, Jon Scofield, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, The Carter Family, Greg Brown, Joni Mitchell, Tom Brown, Jr., Carl Sagan, Black Elk, Crazy Horse, Jane Goodall, Ghandi, hundreds of others.
Born in Cuba City, WI, but raised in Rockford, IL, Ernie Hendrickson grew up on a steady diet of Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, and The Grateful Dead. These early heroes opened the gates to the deep well of American roots music which he continues to draw inspiration from. Even by the age of 16, Ernie was forming bands searching for his own sound. While attending Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal, Hendrickson found himself the leader of The Seed Band, a group that would release three independent records, and found a cult following in the university subculture and surrounding areas. CD sales numbered in the thousands and many more live tapes were circulated before the group disbanded.
Eventually migrating to Chicago in 2003, he struck out on his own and started making inroads in the daunting but fertile americana music scene. His self-released and highly acclaimed first solo record, 2007’s DOWN THE ROAD, was a triumph personally and professionally. The record was engineered by Manny Sanchez (Billy Corgan, Ike Reilly) but saw Ernie himself as the producer. Coming into his own, classic 70’s country sounds and heartfelt balladry mingled with blues and tribal beats. Howard Levy’s harmonica is sprinkled over crystal clear acoustic guitar arrangements and shimmering pedal steel lines. He would earn merits from Mountain Stage’s new song contest for two songs from that record, placing as a regional finalist, along with landing a showcase at Toronto’s NXNE, sister fest to SXSW.
Jambase reported “his music easily justifies the mention of his name in the same context as, dare-it-be-said, genre power house Ryan Adams." while others have charged him with the task of keeping alive the spirit of Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, James Taylor, and Tom Petty.
To kick off 2009, with a work ethic that has only increased with time, Hendrickson, now 31, has already finished sessions for his forthcoming second record, “Walking with Angels.” For this highly anticipated release he sought out famed producer and guitarist Bo Ramsey (Lucinda Williams, Greg Brown). The two felt an immediate chemistry and over five days in early January ’09 they recorded basic tracks for 13 songs with some of Bo’s partners in crime, drummer Steve Hayes (Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey) and Jon Penner (Junior Brown, Bo Ramsey). Release date for the record is as of yet undetermined.
Along with the new record, plans are underway to release a live DVD from the 2007 performance at Chicago’s The Hideout, which was captured on a spirited evening to a rapt audience, and highlights the passion and excitement of an Ernie Hendrickson performance. Find clips from this show above or on Ernie’s website.
We are very excited about playing at such an awesome jazz club. We have some great sets lined up for you, so don't miss it. Friday and Saturday November 20th and 21st, 5:00-8:30p at Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago
Aaron Koppel -Guitar, Matt Nelson; (Lupe Fiasco, Matthew Santos) -Keyboard, Graham Czach; (Chicago Afrobeat Project) -bass, Robert Tucker (Matthew Santos) -drums
FGC's got two hometown area shows this weekend! Friday is an all ages extravaganza at the House Cafe in Dekalb, and Saturday is a hometown throwdown at the Abbey Pub in Chicago (Ages 18+). Fans that attend both shows can pick up a FREE FGC album of their choice at Saturday's show (just grab the Free Album Coupon at the House Cafe and redeem it at the Abbey Pub)!
In other news, FGC is also excited to announce that the band will be celebrating New Year's Eve 2009 at the Redstone Room in Davenport, IA. Our third New Year's in a row at this incredible venue, we will once again be pulling out all the stops! Stay tuned for more information on this year's theme, advance tickets, and other details.
And finally, don't forget to check out the band's new Video Blog, a weekly series featuring a behind the scenes look at FGC performances and touring. Check out the YouTube playlist for the last few editions, and stay tuned for more in the coming weeks!
FGC's got a great weekend coming up! On Saturday, we open up for Umphrey's McGee at the Exposition Gardens in Peoria (FGC @ 7pm), and Sunday, we head over to the Riverview Music and Arts Festival in South Elgin (FGC @ 6pm). The Riverview Fest goes on all weekend, and Sunday's lineup features FGC, as well as The Everyone Orchestra (with Michael Kang from SCI, Brendan and Andy from Umphrey's, Jordan and Janis from FGC, Allie from Cornmeal, and many more!). Visit www.riverviewmusicfest.com for full lineup and tickets!
Looking beyond, FGC's fall schedule thus far hits tons of our favorite Midwest spots, kicking off with the annual Halloween Masquerade Ball at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, where FGC will be sporting the musical costume of Green Day!
10/17 - Halloween Masquerade Ball, Chillicothe, IL (All Ages) 10/23 - Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, IA (Ages 21+) 10/29 - Miramar Theater, Milwaukee, WI (All Ages) 10/31 - City Nights Theater, Springfield, IL (Ages 21+) 11/6 - The House Cafe, Dekalb, IL (All Ages) 11/7 - The Abbey Pub, Chicago, IL (Ages 18+) 11/9 - WIU, Macomb, IL (All Ages) 11/13 - Canopy Club, Urbana, IL (Ages 18+) 11/14 - Yacht Club, Iowa City, IA (Ages 19+)
Here's a "DM" tongue tangling love wrangling
double fisting mind twisting thought to kick off your day on the right foot.
Have a toe tapping hat tipping soul tingling spirit topping Tuesday!!!
Once upon a time there was silence. In a very far-off time, when peace didn't know war because life didn't know man. In the time when the vast ocean drowned the red sun, the wind composed a Te Deum on its piano in the universe. And God said to the wind: "Of all my senses, you are the one who resembles me most closely. Look at me so I can see myself! So to thank God, the wind became music. From that time tunes became mirrors, where God sees himself and gives his joy.
Below is the music and video from our new CD "A Brand New Hurt".
Check it out and drop us a comment sometime!
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Had to stop by the page and say thanks for the friend request, and supporting my acting/modeling and music career. You can watch my last TV appearence on the show WINGMAN on the Fine Living Network at http://www.fineliving.com/fine/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,FINE_26036_85024,00.html I am on episode 10. I am also scheduled to appear on the Game Show Head2Head on Spike TV before the end of the month.. Hope your week is a TooSexy One.. New track on the page "L-O-V-E:.. If you are lucky enough to have someone special make sure you L-O-V-E them and also leave some comment love :-)
Thank you for the add!
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FGC’s only Chicago appearance of the summer is coming up on Friday July 17th at the Abbey Pub. This will be an Ages 18+ show with special supporting acts: Lobster Newberg and The Rubblebucket Orchestra. This Hometown Throwdown is a show not to be missed…hope to see you there!!
In the meantime, check out all three of our Summer Camp Festival sets on the Live Music Archive for free stream/download! Visit our MySpace blog for the links.
We also want to invite our Myspace friends to connect with us on Facebook. Click the links for the FGC Group and FGC Page, both great ways to stay in touch with the band and link up with other fans.
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