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!

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!

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

While surroundings, friends, or situations outside ourselves change from year to year-

we evolve into the people we wish to be.

As there is just as much to be TRULY Thankful for, many of us loose sight of those who don’t have as much.

So here is your challenge everyone. Take a moment everyday and DO for someone. Could be as little as a smile or a sincere gift of your TIME. The best things in life can NOT be bought or require any kind of price. Try your best to bring out the positive in people. There are many in need in your own community. You walk by them and see them in your daily lives. Believe me the most important lessons learned this past 2 years for me is how much is in me to GIVE MORE.

Wishing you only LOVE, LIGHT, and MUCH RESPECT                                                                                                            (anything else can only be built on those 3 truths)

Banjoistically yours,                                                                                                                                                                                          Jon Eric

With many challenges through out the summer festival season, Jon Eric has been on it! Very thankful for the FULL time employment of music, has has taken the instruments of choice to many different levels.

So busy in fact that he “hired me” to write this blog to update everyone on his travels. Already booking into 2011 for shows and festivals he is reminded how much responsibility and time it takes to pursue his dream of musically serving those with need. While understanding the humbling nature of opportunities pouring forth, he is truly grateful for those who stuck by him through thick (and thin) UNCONDITIONALLY. Jon has learned more about how to give back this gift than to take. As he told me years ago, “The competition was taken out of the picture many years ago- there is no ego, only we-go.”

States hit in 2010 include: Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Virgina, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York, and Pennsylvania

Bands or Artists he has performed on stage with in 2010 include:

Vince Herman and the Great American Taxi, Wookiefoot, Useful Jenkins, Dead Larry, Smokin’ Joe & Friends, Jaik Willis, The Justin Torres Project, The Johnson Family Band, Mountain Standard Time, Head for the Hills, Bucky Walters, 5 in a Hand, Ryan Persinger Project, Master Shake,         Cirrus Minor, Mr. Baber’s Neighbors- The Solar String Band, The Nada’s, Dustin Thomas, SlewGrass, Scott Cochran & Flannel, Thankful Dirt, Hannah’s Field, Milltown, Jamie Grimm, Chris Miller, David “The Hut” Huttner, Brock’s Bluegrass Bunch, Blue Storm, Carl Townes, Gentleman Jim Chatfield, Peter Nye & The Chicago Bluegrass Band, Workshy, Omega Dog, and The Gypsy Lumberjacks

Pictures off all these fantastic bands will be posted in an update to this blog when I receive them from Jon Eric.

Some are up and can be found HERE!

Sent to Jon Eric by Kevin Wick:

Check out this recording from a super jam at the Full Moon Hoopla with members of Natural Babbit (Jacob & Victoria), The Major Domo Band (Lief, Robert, & Kevin), Useful Jenkins (Lucas Volz), and Jon Eric

Click below to hear:

Head For The Hills Live at Iowa City Yacht Club on 2010-10-07 (October 7, 2010)

Special guest Jon Eric comes up for tunes 17-20 at the Iowa City Yacht Club show.

Head For The Hills Live at The Redstone Room on 2010-10-12 (October 12, 2010)

Special Guest Jon Eric sits in on cuts 11-13 then 21-23.

Full Moon Hoopla at the Sanctuary – Franklin, MN 9/17/10 – Natural Babbitt & Friends (w/Kevin Wick – Synth Mandolin, Leif Rasmussen – Drums, Robert Hubanks – Bass, Jon Eric – Banjo, and Lucas Volz – Mandolin)

Thank you for supporting his music and see you down the road!

**LOVE LIGHT AND MUCH RESPECT!