Jon Eric Music

Friends of The Opera House and Future History are kicking-off a benefit concert series at the historic Clermont Opera House. The goal being to raise funds for stage and light renovations; so that the arts can be just as much a draw for Clermont as our river and bike trail system. These will showcase diverse local as well as national talent. By coming together for the enjoyment of music and art we can save and continue to benefit from this piece of our history.

The inaugural event is scheduled for Saturday May 12th. All ages show starts at 5pm, doors at 4pm. Ticket price is $10 available at the door. All proceeds go towards stage renovation. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Featuring:

Jaik Willis

A nationally touring independent artist based in Chicago,
Jaik plays 200+ shows per year! And has had his songs
written about in the Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune,
and featured on Neil Young’s website. His 4-octave voice
stretches out in vocal solos, scatting & beatboxing; over
his high-energy acoustic guitar work on songs which are
both accessible and lyrically intriguing. www.reverbnation.com/jaikwillis

Jon Eric

Best known for his banjo skills, this multi-instrumentalist has
become a legend in pushing the boundaries of what the banjo
can sound like. Jon’s expertise also includes guitar, vocals,
dobro, and percussion. Currently residing in Iowa City, Jon is
closely involved with community activities as well as being a
nationally touring artist. Jon WILL change your perception of
how the banjo should “sound.” www.jonericmusic.com

Pasty Wellman

Having a singing and song writing career that
spans decades, Patsy is a jewel of northeast Iowa.
Always on tour playing festivals, bars, & community
events her real-life sounds have touched the hearts
of thousands she has met along the way. Her voice
is beautiful and her guitar work is fierce. Do not miss
this show!

Art Installation by Andrew Phelps of Warped Gallery

All of his contemporary, abstract paintings are original pieces, and are either U.V. light reactive or are self-illuminating. Paintings will be available for purchase.www.warpedgallery.com

Big thanks to KPVL The Blend for providing air-time and support to promote this event! Check them out, and all their events, @ www.891theblend.org

Sound, lights, and engineering provided by Future History Productions, Clermont, IA

Remember MOTHER NATURE on Mother’s Day!

The 5th of May was the biggest full moon of the year. Jon Eric started that day with music in mind as he drove to Grinnell, Iowa to play at Saints Rest Coffee House (which supplies the “Jon Eric Banjo Blend” Coffee). After starting the music off around 10am challenges of adding the instrumental parts and vocal harmonies were met with ninja like accuracy. The concert was only supposed to last a few hours but Jon Eric was in a “zen like- sonic bliss” .  6 hours and 25 min later after creating songs from the ground up. As Jon Eric packed the equipment up and found a 7 year old little boy named Peter come through the door of this Grinnell, Iowa coffee shop with his mother. Seeing the boy needed a smile, Jon Eric signed one of the posters then played a few more tunes just for him.  The banjo can bring smiles that no other instrument matches.

After packing up then driving to Pella, Iowa for Tulip Days, Jon played for 3 MORE hours from 7-10pm at the Lamp Post Lounge! Jon really enjoys playing for people that have seen him for the very 1st time. Changing their perceptions of “how the banjo should sound”.

Exiting times ahead and we are just entering May of 2012!

STAY TUNED – share this blog & in the meantime:

Have a wonderful day!

Banjoistically yours,
Jon Eric

www.jonericmusic.com 

As Thanksgiving 2011 approaches we all encounter things or people we are thankful for in our lives.
But there are many who in this holiday season are in need. REMEMBER them please as we all gather with family and friends in celebration of life and the wonderful memories we have made this year, and for years to come.

HOW have you SERVED in 2011? Have you personally made a difference? In what way?
Was it ALTRUSTIC? Or did you gain financially or PROFIT from your actions?

In thoughts of 2011 – was it worth the cost?  Would you do it all over again?
Have there been new spiritual connections made with those friends who do things out of LOVE.
Or have you seen the selfish corruption of the color green affecting politics, the world markets,
unity of countries, and an overall peace in our lives?

Though we all still strive for a better place in our lives, I am hopeful that each and everyone of you
reflect on what it is we are all thankful for. It is a feeling that NO amount of money can BUY!

Most of all, I am SO Thankful YOU are in my life…

Happy ThanksGIVING!

This is the only time in our life that the connected 1′s exist for us.
Remember we are connected with ALL things in Love, Light and Spirit.
Be kind to yourself as you are kindred with other living things around you.

Breath deep- and at the bottom of that breath- THAT is where you will find me.

MUCH Love & Respect,
Jon Eric

HERE is the online article

Photography by Jennifer Rockwell

Jon Eric wants each and every one of you had a wonderful and SAFE summer!
There are many surprises right around the corner with live performances and BRAND NEW instruments brought into the mix of his live sound. This banjo work he has been up to for the past few years is just the taste of icing on the musical cake!
So gear up, spread the word, and as the circles shrink and cross- YOU will be ready for it!

He also wants to thank SYSTEMS Unlimited and the Iowa City Free Lunch Program for allowing him to play for the good folks there. He urges, “If you can afford to give (especially by donating your TIME), lives CAN be changed!”

“So far so good.” States Jon Eric as he tells me from a few days back in Iowa City after being on the road from these summer mini-tours. To back-track, The Last on the list was Fire in the Flatlands in Laurens, IA. Many tickets were gifted to his fans that may have needed the break that this farmhouse gave. The sense of family he has made there has been quite a tribal ordeal for him. Just a year ago during that same festival this is where he was introduced to the wonderful HOTBED of talent from many states including Dead Larry (which released their new cd “As The Radio” -of which Jon Eric is on 2 cuts of this brand new cd). Useful Jenkins (Fierce acoustic band from Mankato, MN) and has since shared many touring opportunities, shows and sit in spots with both bands! Exciting times await for the future now that festival season is now in FULL SWING. One of the major bits of news JE told me about was the Zalin Zone playground for the kids at Hidden Acres Music Farm. Those of you in the know, remember Zalin was a young boy who had inoperable brain tumor and passed away into love and light last year. His parents carried on his memory with a playground just for those who would benefit the most from it. The TRUE FUTURE of Hidden Acres Music Farm rests now in the adults who attend these music festivals but of the CHILDREN who make life long friends there and continue to have happy wonderful memories of the fun friends they make. Jon told me that many of the adults learned from them as well- as they played, shared, and grew so fond of each other during that weekend. Such fun with painting, drawing, food, dressing up like Halloween and other activities revolved JUST for them. Exiting times we live in when kids of all ages can teach adults that we CAN get along in LOVE and RESPECT for each other, the family, the tribe, and eventually the world!

Thursday June 9th 2011- Jon had the rare opportunity to head north to Minneapolis to play with the 2 fantastic bands: LUNAR FUNK THEORY & BITTER ROOTS at the 7th street entrance while BOOTSY COLLINS was headlining at 1st Street Live!

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS THAT WILL BE UPDATED AS WE RECEIVE THE INFORMATION FROM JON ERIC

Wakarusa 2011 Ozark Mountains, Arkansas -To be updated

Sitting in with Vince Herman & The Great American Taxi at The Iowa City Yacht Club

Bella Tempo Festival – Harmony Park- Geneva Minnesota  -To be updated

Lovefest in the MidWest- Papillion (Omaha), Nebraska – To be updated

Spring, being right around the corner, has teased with warmer weather.

The gig schedules have picked up and taken shape for those bands or festivals needing something a little “different” on 5 string banjo! These include DEAD LARRY with their 2nd release, “As The Radio”!  Their tour has been quite bittersweet with the passing of Alyssa Baye (For those that have seen the colorful banjo head “presented” back in September, SHE painted it.) Her memory lives on in those she has touched and I am quite thankful to have known her even for a brief time.

From the MidWest branching out one fan at a time, Jon Eric has been working hard to bring the music he loves to play and/or sing to YOU!

There are a few you tube videos out that you may or may not have seen yet, below are a few.

Halloween- Wookiefoot playing “Activate” with Special Guest Jon Eric on Banjo

Wookiefoot \”Activate\” Halloween- with Special Guest Jon Eric

Duluth, MN #1 Wookiefoot with Jon Eric shredding on 5 string banjo

Wookiefoot with Special Guest Jon Eric on 5 string banjo!

Wookiefoot featuring Smokin’ Joe Scarpellino (bassist of Dead Larry)

Smokin\’ Joe Scarpellino, Wookiefoot, and Jon Eric play GOIN\’ UP!

Also for those wishing to add search for Jon Eric Music on Face Book click HERE

For Electronic Press Kit (EPK) visit Jon Eric’s Reverb Nation site HERE. This site has all the current videos, press, photos, dates, and updates.

GO & share with friends or those you think may enjoy!

Enjoy this Video from the Bucktown Revue”
1/21/2011 At The River Music Experience
Davenport, Iowa