Jon Eric Music

Interested in listening to some FREE music?
“Right MEOW!” is now available!
Here is your secret link (if you like the tune)  to care, share, and be AWARE:

http://soundcloud.com/jonericmusic/right-meow/s-msyfq

This is the LEAST I can do for all the love and support each and every one of you have shown me.
You are welcome to share this link above with family or friends until New Years Day!
Why am I doing this? Because personally I feel that while “the media” (who made BILLIONS in
dividing us during the Presidential race)   is hounding you to SPEND
VERY few know that LOVE can not be BOUGHT or SOLD. And I truly believe that the
best things in life are in fact FREE!
Mostly in understanding that YOU spread the word, come to shows & taking a moment
to share your life with me- WE are down in the trenches together…
Through it all, I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you!

Whatever you “believe in” – Have a Happy & SAFE Holiday Season filled with music and celebration!

Lift your voice – spread your wings to take flight & march to the beat of your OWN drum
And those going against the grain of being “politically correct” ….

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Seeds have been planted my whole life to bring the music up to a point where GROWTH can thrive.  My “Flower of LIFE” has finally BLOOMED!

In explaining where my roots come from- using the symbols of earth,
my “Bluegrass roots” come from the Red Virginia CLAY of the Fredericksburg, VA area. After uprooting and transplanting to Iowa City where the farmers grow crops of corn in BLACK EARTH (or dirt) here in Iowa. This makes for growing good things in life. One has to understand the elements of the seasons though.
Extreme as they may be, we are called to plant good seeds if we wish a good fruit.

Many years in my life I was doing just the opposite. Planting bad seeds and reaping bad fruit. In changing my perspective and learning the “hard way”, I discovered that good seeds CAN be planted by random acts of kindness and seeking a different way of doing things. Is this right or wrong? Not really sure. All I do know (truly know nothing)   is that so far- this has worked in those we connect with.   We are ALL connected in one way or another. From the air we breath to the water we drink. Even to the soil we are all eventually buried back into- we ALL cherish LOVE when it is true. And seek an earned respect for being.

No matter what you may believe understand that you ARE loved. period

I wish to thank Kelsey Fried who has agreed to paint 12 banjo heads to be displayed one a month for 12 months. December 15th 2013 we will be giving a weekend concert/ art auction where ALL of these heads will be displayed.
Auction proceeds will benefit a charity of her choice.

To explain with a kind cool heart of the events may take some doing

so PLEASE read carefully.

Being that this was the anniversary of my father’s passing (USMC-ret. November 8, 2006) so there was almost giddy anticipation in seeing friends and fans I have not caught up with since July. Really looking forward to playing back up in Minneapolis, MN at a wonderful venue called the Whiskey Junction. Being all set up and ready to go I was approached by friends letting me know there was to be a warm up band. So I moved all the gear to the back of the stage so it was safely out of the way of the band doing music before my set. After their sound check they went upstairs to rehearse a few tunes. I went up got he stage, grabbed the banjo and climbed the stairs only to discover that the bridge had collapsed. Wondering instantly, “OK it dropped???”

Then I saw the break- 1st in the banjo then in my heart. See I had bought the banjo used out of my Mother’s memory after she had passed on as well. So doing music for a VERY modest living was about the ONLY way I found healing and loving energy in giving- Both in time & playing for ANYONE willing to listen.

The point to all this is that eventually I will be trying to obtain a NEW neck for it as it is being temporarily SPOT repaired so that the acoustic can make it through the rest of my tour. These necks are expensive and it unfortunately was uninsured do to most of the $ going into gas, “paying dues” & bills.

IF you wish to help in donating, The button is below.
Feel free to share this blog entry with friends if you wish.
Until it gets fixed my tour and show WILL go on- but just be “modified”…

After just getting back from an AMAZING weekend in Kentucky at Terrapin Hill Farm/Music Venue.
The people were SO much fun and the UNLIMITED pickin’ opportunities were part of what makes people come together in a positive place. So this makes 2 weekends in a row that it rained. NO chance of it dampening spirits-
We all learn pretty quick in the festival seasons to plan ahead for ANY type of weather Mother Nature would send
our way.  It makes for a better festival to be quite honest. Being able to help or give is what these things are about.
Someone may need a sweatshirt, water, a bite to eat, or help with set up/load out. Learning this we all take it back into our communities and find creative ways to GIVE. Those that do “take” get immediate gratification, but those who give, this lasts a lifetime! Like a pebble in a pond it only takes the memory of skipping rocks as a child. The ripple effect may show up years down the line.

Then it was off on Monday 9/10 to the Bettendorf Public Library to play some banjo for Pie Chef Beth Howard’s “Making Piece” presentation- the turnout was tremendous and Pies made at HyVee before the event were donated to charity. Thank you Beth Howard for being such an inspiration and sharing what a yummy way of making a difference in this world one Piece of Pie at a time!

Yesterday (9/13/2012) I went back into the studio with Luke Tweedy of Flat Black Studios right here in Iowa City! Those that remember I recorded my last cd “That Was Then-This Is NOW” with all the instruments and all vocals for this last project & wanted to create some brand new textures and vocals for the new project. Luke is just downright amazing and easy to work with. We got 3 more tunes tracked out and will be doing many more down the line very soon. THIS project I am going to be doing more of the VOCALS that few in the midwest have heard (yet).

Next up is Tribal Equinox in Omaha Nebraska. Sept. 20-23, 2012
But will be stopping by Saints Rest Coffee House on 9//19 (mid-morning)
Then after dinner- I will be doing a show at Grinnell College (8pm-???)
Bring your french press or favorite coffee cup! This also will be a FREE -ALL AGES show for the students!

OCTOBER 4th 2012 update- For the Iowa City Yacht Club 
The ICYC will be allowing me to do an ALL AGES  SHOW starting at 8pm SHARP till 11PM!
Spread the word Iowa City- this is a RARE show. With all the traveling and touring, it feels so good to play for a hometown crowd!

For those that have not heard the sound yet (and there are MANY that are surprised to know I live in Iowa)
Feel free to google Jon Eric, Banjo, Iowa and see what comes up. This is grass-roots midwest word of mouth at it’s finest and the music would not be where it is without YOU!

After getting a phone call from my old friends in Des Moines, IA
I ventured out this weekend for a sold out event called:
POTOSI BREW FEST

What an amazing celebration of Good friends, food, Wisconsin Cheese, & Wine.

Got to sit in with Mr Baber’s Neighbors – The Solar String Band on 5 string banjo.
Such fun playing with those guys in a hugh energy full tilt traditional bluegrass show!
Thanks a bunch fellas.

Also note that the next ITEMS will get you through the next 2 weeks on the schedule (see post below)
And they are:

Really looking forward to seeing you out and about at the upcoming shows.

LOVE and Live WELL
This does NOT require money or can  be bought.
It is a state of mind without limits
And my wish for all of you.
Are you ready?
Then it’s time…

WAKE UP 

With all the bookings coming in for Jon Eric’s the fall season, here are the current updates.
Here’s to seeing you out and about at the shows below. There are some AMAZING line up acts at the festivals, so feel free to browse the links provided for all the information you need.

The Washington
(in support of Catfish Keith)
306 Washington
Burlington, IA
August 17^th, 2012 (8:30pm)
Facebook Link to show and MORE details are HERE

Bettendorf Public Library
Bettendorf, Iowa
August 18^th, 2012 (9am)
This is an ALL AGES event for kids and kids at heart!
More details are HERE

Green Mountian Eco Fest 2012
11564 Kinfolk Road, Eldridge, MO 65463
August 31 – Sept 3^rd 2012
http://www.greenmountainecofest.com/

Club Carbon
314 W Main St
Danville, KY 40422
Sept 5th, 2012
Facebook Link to show is HERE 

Terrapin Hill Harvest Festival
Harrodsburg, KY
Sept 6^th – 9^th 2012
http://www.terrapinhillfarm.com/festival/

Sept 10^th for a ½ hour at Bettendorf Library
after reception for PIE with Beth Howard
Info can be found HERE

Tribal Equinox
River West Park
Omaha, NE
September 20^th-23^rd 2012
http://www.tribalequinox.com/

House Party (invite only)
With Roster MaCabe Acoustic/Chris Freir + Greg Glenn
Des Moines, IA
September30, 2012

Iowa City Yacht Club
(in support of The Haunted Windchimes)
Iowa City, IA
October 4^th, 2012

 RESERVED for PRIVATE party
Iowa City, IA
Friday October 19th, 2012

RESERVED for SURPRISE show TBA
Moline, IL
October 25, 2012

Iowa City Yacht Club
SOLO show
Iowa City, IA
November 15, 2012
http://www.iowacityyachtclub.org/

HERE is a little video shot at  Vaudeville Mews on 8/9/2012
With Nathen Maxwell and the Original Bunny Gang.
FUN TIMES!

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!”

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!

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