Jon Eric Music

For those interested, there are a few shows on the books for those in

Iowa City, Ames and Des Moines.

Tonight, Friday, April 23rd,AND April 24th

I will be sitting in with my old friends Mr. Babers Neighbors- The Solar String Band as they bring in The South Paw Bluegrass Band from Omaha, NE for 2 shared venues.

Friday’s show is @ DG’s Tap House in Ames, IA

Saturday’s show will be @ Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines, IA

In between all that, I will be coming BACK to Iowa City to play at RIVERFEST! That set will be played from 4pm-5pm Saturday April 24th @ The Iowa River Stage.

Riverfest 2010

What a fun weekend this will be!!!

Also here are a few pics taken by Jason Larson for the 4/20 show this past Tuesday @ The Blue Moose Tap House.

Jon Eric pickin' @ The Blue Moose Tap House on 4/20

Jon Eric pickin' @ The Blue Moose Tap House on 4/20

BELOW is another sit in opportunity I had with a VERY special young band that I enjoy for those that are not aware yet, The Workshy is exploding on the jam band scene. Back in December they had asked me to sit in when they came to Iowa City on 4/17- My response??? “ABSOLUTELY!!! I love playing in F#m!!!”      : )

Jon Eric sitting in with The WorkShy

Jon Eric pickin' sitting in with The WorkShy

Last but not least-

Here are a couple more pictures (sent to me) of playing with

Vince Herman & The Great American Taxi

The Great American Taxi & Jon Eric

The Great American Taxi & Jon Eric #2

Though the bookings are STILL coming in and we are gearing up for a wonderful festival season. There will be many more shows added as they come in.

A lot of these shows are booked enough in advance that you will be able to see the updates as they occur.

Thank you to the good friends and fans that are following the dreams and goals for 2010. Understanding 1st and foremost that YOU are the reason I am so grateful to do music for a living. THANK YOU!

Also feel free to share away on your blog or site by pressing the upper right hand “share” button.

Way to go Dixie Chicks! It’s about time for another tour!

A selection was used for the couples skating routine.

With USA’s own Samuelson/Bates. Awesome job in

choosing a piece of music that bends the ear!

Your fans here in America LOVED it and are so proud of you.

Check out the you tube videos circulating the web.

I always knew the world would LOVE the banjo!

Here is my BAND page for Facebook

And here is where you can find some NEW tunes (just added)-

Also the gig schedule can be found there as it was updated this week. Festival season is about to gear up!

Please feel free to share, comment, or rate with those kindred spirits you think may enjoy! Again I can not thank you enough for the whirlwind of a year this has been for me. Living the dream of a lifetime.

Banjo… who would have thought-
Darn it! My father was RIGHT! (grin)

Here’s a thought that has been in my head today:

Patience = working your whole like for that one shot in life!
Wisdom = knowing when to take that shot!
And yes you may quote me on that.

Banjositically yours,

Jon Eric

Http://www.jonericmusic.com

What a whirlwind of a year! 2009 = blood, sweat & tears with many memories to last a lifetime!

Thank you to all my musical friends and family who have come together for a common cause in sharing their talents the best way we know how.

I truly hope each and every one of you has a wonderful holiday season. And may 2010 be the best year ever!

HERE is a link for The Insider Iowa Sessions with Ericka Iverson who did in interview from last Wednesday’s  show in Des Moines, Iowa. Thank you Erika for putting up with the cold temps! Would have to say it was one of the coldest and icy nights just before Christmas!

Thank you to Bob Black and Mary Palmberg for allowing me to play for the Iowa City Free Lunch Program again (year #2) for this WAS my Christmas once again. If you can donate- PLEASE do as there are many in need- especially when the cold comes!

Enclosed are some pics from the most recent shows.

Thought since most have been keeping me busy on the road out and about- some of you can not make it so far. But rest assured we are trying to get EVERYTHING on video- or great pictures are being taken and forwarded on!

Also I wish to thank each and every one of you who voted for me during the last banjo standing contest- though I did not “win” any slot to play, I did manage to score 2 performances for next year that are great opportunities as well! It taught me so much about who my die hard fans are as well! For that I am SO VERY Grateful!

This weekend will be filled with much musical bliss as well- performing Saturday (11/21/09) with the Des Moines bluegrass super-group Mr. Baber’s Neighbors the Solar String Band once again filling in for their banjo player Paul Perkins. We will be playing at Little Big Fest @ People’s on Court along with more bands than you can count on 2 separate stages!

Then SUNDAY (11/22/09) SlewGrass will be debuting at El Bait Shop for another night of great tunes and fun! That particular show starts @ 9pm!

Here are some photos that were taken recently by great friends who forwarded them!

Jon Eric—Sitting in with both Mr. Baber’s Neighbors AND Hot Buttered Rum

@ The Iowa City Yacht Club

The bottom 5 pictures were taken this past Saturday in Pomeroy, Iowa (which is a 4 hour drive away) at a wonderful place called Byron’s! I got to sit in on a delightful show with Molly & Darren Matthews of the band Thankful Dirt! It makes me so “Thankful” to share the stage with such kindred spirits! special thank you to Darren Matthews for the use of his guitar that night during the set break “tweener”!

Just got back from this weekends’ amazing event Grass Stock ‘09.

Talk about some pickin’ ! The WWB (World Wide Bluegrass) was so kind to allow me to share the main stage with so many wonderful pickers.

Thanks to everyone who gave kind words and made it out to chat and pick with me- I live for these kind of events where music, fun, and friends gather.

Anyone with photos or video of the event feel free to forward them on to my email- JonEricMusic@Gmail.com

Would be delighted to share them with others if you allow it.

Special thanks to the WWB, Gracie Muldoon and most of all to Uncle Billy Dunbar! Uncle Billy has been nominated for IBMA DJ of the year so if you are a member – PLEASE vote for him!

HUGE and special thanks to banjoists Butch Osborne, Johnny Butten,  for the inspiring and kindred words of their amazing banjo talent!

Last but not least thanks to Roger Bush (bass) for giving me so much ear candy from his friends’ “amazing” cds.  Roger & I were chasing the sun picking and singing into the night. Sharing parts of our musical lives which allowed for inspiration beyond words! Such an honor meeting you buddy! It’s very ironic to find that one is an inspiration putting a face with some tunes I has been listening to for years! I am sure our paths will cross again real soon my friend.

NEW BAND NEWS! There is a new band I have been asked to be a part of and we already have been to several venues around town-

The band name is SLEWGRASS

Tunes can be heard here on MYSPACE!

If you have a myspace or facebook page, feel free to add us. We are looking forward to our next gig at BENT RIVER BREWERY on SEPT. 5th 2009 @ 10pm. Get there early- bring a friend or 2 for a night of Bluegrass and fun!

Anyone interested in booking the band can feel free to email me or find us through the other sites we maintain. Book it now for next years’ events cause the calander will book up fast!

ALREADY 8 tunes have been recorded in the studio and we are well on our way to getting the cd project completed!

On other GREAT NEWS Randy Kohr’s instruments have been recovered!!! That wonderful article can be read HERE

Things have been keeping me quite busy in the last few months with

studio work, production work for “other artist’s” projects out of my home studio, editing, video shooting, teaching lessons, performing and driving to and fro.

These activities adding to the endless learning, has continued to be quite an exiting time more than ever.

To me, being so busy keeps me focused on the next set of projects.

Keep an eye out for where I will be next.

This could be any of the “sites” we all visit daily. And can change with just a phone call from someone who wants me to sit in. From Iowa City to the world- one just never knows…

Banjo is getting SO popular these days!

Even Steve Martin has been making the circuit with his playing. Hat’s off to Steve for bringing the banjo into the living rooms and even bed rooms of late night TV.  Now even playing banjo on American Idol and Ellen! I hope “The Crow” sells a ton for him! WTG you wild and crazy guy!

Bob Black and I are finally shooting on the instructional DVD together. After finding a location to shoot and scheduling. We are now knee deep in the project! This will be coming out in late summer to early fall and is going to be a really fun way to pick!

Been also working on my solo cd which will be out by mid July (crossing fingers here).

Is that enough?  Not a chance! It’s only the beginning- to something building out of the air…

Sure hope our paths cross soon!

Banjoistically yours,

Jon Eric