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

It is now the 16th of April, 2010.

Performing dates are coming in like gangbusters!

There were quite a few updates and last week-

D’ADDARIO & CO has taken me under wing and I am now SO honored and have the privilege to announce that I am now ENDORSED with their company! Special thanks to the D’Addario family which includes PLANET WAVES, EVANS,  BOWED, FRETTED STRINGS, RICO REEDS, PURESOUND SNARE WIRES, & HQ PERCUSSION

This announcement was given on AIR for KRUI FM for Little Village Live on 4/07/2010

Jon Eric -Little Village Mag Krui FM

DREW BULLMAN’S article can be found HERE (also in that write up, there are 4 youtube videos attached for those that missed the live radio show!)

Feeling the anticipation of doing a few really neat venues this year as well.

Last week I had the honor of sharing the stage with my old friend Vince Herman last Thursday (4/08/2010) and his band The Great American Taxi from Colorado! Vince has been kind enough to allow me to learn and grow as a musician forging through the hot sounds he and his band plays. For that I am so deeply grateful for any opportunity I get to sit in with those super talented fellas! Below are some pics of the show @ The Red Stone Room in Davenport, IA

The Great American Taxi

Jon Eric sitting in with The Great American Taxi

Jon Eric sitting in with The Great American Taxi

Jon Eric sitting in with The Great American Taxi

Jon Eric at The Red Stone Room sittin in with The Great American Taxi

Vince Herman playing at The Red Stone Room

The Great American Taxi w/ special guest Jon Eric (banjo)

The Great American Taxi w/ special guest Jon Eric (banjo)

Saturday 4/10/2010 I had the opportunity of sitting in with Mr. Baber’s Neighbors- The Solar String Band (MBN-TSSB) as they opened for The Nadas CD release @ The Fine Line in Minniapolis, MN (pics will be posted as I receive them. Thank you to the “Baberhood” for another night of Bluegrass BLISS!

Click HERE for an interview HOT off the presses!

Feel free to share with friends and those that like fiddle, banjo, or BLUEGRASS!

Thanks a ton to iFiddle for everything! Check em out…

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

It seems to me that even a month going by, so much work can be packed in!

Weather is terrible for most this year making travel and music making a HUGE challenge for those who continue to work through the icky weather.

I wanted to thank  SOUTHWEST AIRLINES for taking such good care of me and my banjo while flying this past 2 weeks. They allowed me to bring my banjo aboard and keeping it safe. They sure love their job as much as I love mine! Going that extra mile to ensure that the individual service is taken care of.

MUCH More to add later-

also if you are interested in SKYPE lessons on 5 string banjo,

feel free to reach me!

If you could have one wish come true for 2010-

What would it be?

As New Years resolutions are made, most seem to be hopeful for a brand new year- Many of my fans and friends are so GLAD to be done with 2009! Stating the challenges of the year were more than most years they have encountered.

Overall my year was a positive one- with many challenges but also times that the music really bubbled to the surface and sometimes pickin’ “hotter than a cat on a hot tin roof!”

January 4th was my birthday- and I was totally in awe of the emails and messages left for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your heartfelt wishes! Had the chance to play a very special “birthday set” at The Mill in Iowa City for the last 1/2 hour of my birthday- with it being so cold here lately, I needed something to do so that cabin fever does not settle into my 5-string!

With a brand new year and unlimited possibilities- We forge ahead with no signs of slowing down! Happy 2010 everyone- I sure hope your ever wish comes TRUE!

Banjoistically yours,

Jon Eric

Been working in the studio for a few new upcoming projects I have had kicking around for far too long- Ideas of branching out with different sounds the banjo can do seem to flow out onto the tracks.Iowa Flood. If you can donate to one of the MANY causes close to your heart, please do, as there is still much need in the surrounding areas.The Mill! If I play there any more during the week they’ll start charging me RENT! I sure do like playing there though…HERE Just a small way of giving back to the Iowa City community when it has given so much to me musically.

The student load for banjo, guitar and voice has picked up (a bit) now that people are recovering from the

The time schedules definitely keep me hopping and driving all over Iowa to keep up.

Last week I sat in with one of my students @ The Mill- who asked me to sit in with him as he did his 1st open mic on Monday- Then we all played till about closing time. Making for some HAPPY fingers and good times.

-Wednesday- Sitting in with the Burlington Street Bluegrass Band was quite a “treat”. The “veterans” of the Iowa City music scene are so gracious to allow me to cut my teeth on that ole’ stage @

Was asked to and got to play a Tuesday and Thursday during the lunch hour for some “VIP” guests

-Thursday- Was able to hit a local jam after my last student. Some of the people at the jam have been made aware of the causes I care a bit about and were so sweet to have DONATED
3 HUGE bags of clothes for the cause- I have NO idea where those bungee cords came from but they all were tied up tight in the back of my old Ford pick-up and I drove them on back.

-Friday- was working in 2 separate studios on various projects. -Saturday- was doing a bit of banjo in Ames. (LATE)

-Sunday- I was asked and played banjo for the offertory for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
Then back in the studio from 2-4pm.

Needless to say- it has been a busy week.
With a new one just beginning…