Jon Eric Music

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!

Also happy Veterans Day!

More pics were sent to me so I thought I would post them here for those that have not seen them yet.

Rob Elliot was awesome to send me these 2 he shot at the 420 event @ The Blue Moose Tap House W/ Dead Larry and Insectoid!

Jon Eric @ The Blue Moose Tap House 4/20/2010

Jon Eric @ The Blue Moose Tap House 4/20

Jon Eric pickin it solid!

After the 4/20 show on Tuesday, I headed up to Ames, IA to sit in with MBN-TSSB. Unfortunately there are no pictures from that show- as it is downright impossible to always have pics shot while one is playing.

After playing I scooted back to Iowa City for RIVERFEST!

Jon Eric and Miles Raife playing RIVERFEST 2010

Jon Eric @ RIVERFEST 2010

Jon Eric @ RIVERFEST 2010

Jon Eric just after the RiverFest 2010 show

I am so thankful for all those who made it out! And VERY thankful the rain held off for the whole set! Also a special thanks to my good buddy Miles Raife for adding that solid guitar track- saving me from lugging a bunch of gear risking the chance of getting all the equipment drenched! But the rain came — as I was on my way BACK out to Des Moines for another show that night!

The Vaudeville Mews was a stellar time as well with MBN-TSSB. Thankfully one photo was sent by  www.jessicaphotography.net

Tonight

Slew Grass will be playing TODAY 4/27 at 7pm – Lonnski’s Pub & Deli 908 Main Street Grinnell, IA See you there!

Acoustic Tuesdays Bridge Benifit

Thank you for supporting the musical dreams making them a reality! Also, be sure to check back in about a week as MORE fliers for shows will be added as soon as I can!

Banjoistically yours,

Jon Eric

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…