Eric R. Durham Sr

About me:

RECORDED AS GUITARIST: FIRST 3 ALBUMS with 70's FUNK GROUP CAMEO: "CARDIAC ARREST" (co-wrote "RIGOR MORTIS"), "UGLY EGO" and "WE ALL KNOW WHO WE ARE" (co-wrote "STAND UP"). CAMEO opened for The Barkays, Bootsy's Rubberband and Parliament Funkadelic in stadiums across America. I recorded a double (platinum) album in Rome (early 80's) with the Italian star RENATO ZERO and Luther Vandross' late drummer YOGI. I recorded "FOX ON THE BOX/IN THE STREETS" (1982) with The VILLAGE PEOPLE. I've worked closely with FRED ZARR (Debbie Gibson and Madonna's early Producer), who was the keyboard genious of our Band "BROOKLYN EXPRESS" (Hit Single "69"). I've built floating floors in studio's, literally - I'm also a General Contractor, one such client was John Grossbard of The Daily Planet, now "PLANET SOUNDS", NYC. I did some live sound work for The FORCE MD's. BEN E KING hires my guitar and sound skills too! I grew up in Bushwick, Brooklyn, attended Halsey JHS and Ely Whitney HS. Neighborhood musicians were "PANACHE" (Freddie & Debbie Thompson); CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR; Best Horns: JEFF (Family Stand), TYRONE & LARRY (then known as "COMMON SENSE"), Drummer LESLIE MING and keyboardist KASHIF (composer of "Love Come Down", Kashif lived with my family a couple weeks and my dad gave him his first electric piano!) - both of BT Express; Drummers Nate Glenn, Ronnie Heath (Brotherhood Express) & E.J. (The Doves). Known as the "Dynamic Duo" and my best friend for decades GARY DOW (Keith Sweat, New Edition & Cameo) and I were in Cameo together. We arranged "MIND UP TONIGHT" for Melba Moore and mentored, toured and co-composed with LILLO THOMAS (composer of "Good Girl"). We produced for OSMOND COLLINS (of Elmo the Magic Christian). Adding TY STEPHENS (of Harry Belafonte) we formed a dynamic trio and recorded some GREAT music soon to be released via internet as "TOPGROOVE" (Myspace, CD Baby, etc). My late father is EDDIE DURHAM, tombonist, guitarist, composer, arranger. That's a book in itself, but SAM ASH released a line of CENTENNIAL SIGNATURE GUITARS in his honor for his 2006 Celebrations, held at Dizzy's Coca Cola, NY and at his Festival Tribute hometown of San Marcos, Texas. My sister TOPSY, is President of Durham SWING MUSIC Publishing. Check the website www.DURHAMJAZZ.COM. I am influenced by JAMES BROWN, KOOL & THE GANG, SLY STONE, RUFUS & CHAKA, OHIO PLAYERS, TOWER OF POWER, NEW BIRTH, STANLEY TURENTINE, HERBIE HANCOCK, SANTANA, ISLEY BROTHERS, EARTH WIND & FIRE and the late, great WAYNE COOPER (Cameo). My "actual" mentors were SANTANA, MOONIE (Steel Pulse), EDDIE HAZEL (P-Funk), LARRY BLACKMON, GREGORY JOHNSON & LEFTENANT BROTHERS (Cameo) and my late father, EDDIE DURHAM, who taught me guitar technique and how to score music. CURRENTLY: I sit in occasionally with Blues genious, MICHAEL POWERS. My Funk band is TOPGROOVE! .. .. .. .. ..

Cameo - I Just Want To Be (Live 1980)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1HZzVnQHYw