Jon Eric Music

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

Dates are coming in like gang-busters for the festival season already and Jon Eric is in awe
of each and every one of you who has requested him to play! He mentioned to: “Thank You SO much for all the encouragement and love shared (especially in the last 2 years)!

This past week, Jon has done 7 performances in an 8 day period and taking on the bitter cold with a wildfire of warmth in the notes he plays. A pics link will be posted of those stages, bands, performances, etc. as soon as they are forwarded on.

Here is a link of an interview taken place this weekend in Des Moines before his trip north to Minneapolis for a show at the Acadia Cafe.

This is PART 2 of The Insider Iowa’s very own “Insider Sessions” with Ericka Iverson.
With Photography below by Stan Brewer who is the publisher and editor of www.insideriowa.com

JON ERIC’S INTERVIEW

With 2011 starting off with a bang- ALL of the work that has been put into the musical directions have taken flight like a bio-fuel run Leer Jet!
Through all the ups and downs, challenges and picking opportunities, 2011 will ring true in the musical journey we take into the future as the warm weather approaches. Until then, keep an eye out as one will never know which venue or state Jon Eric will perform at next UNLESS you are in the “inner circle loop”.

He wishes to thank YOU all for allowing my dreams to come TRUE both musically and in the goals Jon Eric has been persuing.

The cd “That Was Then- This Is NOW” allowed for some amazing opportunities in 2010! If you do not have a copy, feel free to contact us.

SOLO CD #2 is being created now and will be available in the end of March- again the creation process takes patience as it again will be created WITH some stellar pickers Jon Eric has met along his musical flight.

As he sets up my 2011 touring schedules please email me at:
Jonericmusic@Gmail.com if you would like for him to come to YOUR town or city! Remember JE has banjo and is more than willing to travel!

You are more than welcome to share the website or any of the link buttons on his website: www.jonericmusic.com
Wishing nothing more than Love, peace, and MUCH respect to each and every one of you!



The holidays are full of people getting together with family and friends. Sharing in good times, happy memories and gifts they purchased. The Malls and stores are packed- making headaches and stress for all those out in it.

Stop and take a moment to reflect on the year you have had everyone. All the small things that made such a difference in your year of 2010 – could be as simple as a smile or a hug.  Has anyone done something for you that had you would not have been able to do on your own? Or maybe brightened a day that was not going so well? This has definitely happened in my life. And for each and every one of you that DID make a brighter day in my 2010 – I thank YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Making each day count brings the spirit of Christmas a little closer to home. For those of us who may not be near family, we surround ourselves with loving souls who wish for peace and love through the holidays.

Reflecting back on those that could not be with us physically- they will ALWAYS be there in spirit.

My Christmas for the 3rd year running will be spend once again with NO commercialism. Instead will be spent playing music for those of the Iowa City Free Lunch Program. If you can afford to give to this selfless organization -please do. It does not even take money- just time or just a few items to look out for in the coming year.

So as you travel- be SAFE

As you wish- Make it BIG

Love each other with ALL your heart

Happy Holidays & have a VERY Merry Christmas!

Banjoistically yours,

Jon Eric