Jon Eric Music

Happy 12/12/12 on 12:12.12 !
Once in the middle of the night- And again after NOON.
All are connected -
in one breath.

This is anything BUT just another day.

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!

Here are some upcoming shows right around the bend.
Really hope to see you all out and about for some of these events!
Check the websites for the AMAZING line-up’s and all your details needed.

Wooley’s
http://www.woolysdm.com/
(with Blue Martain Tribe)
Des Moines, IA
August 3^rd, 2012

Southside Artisan Festival 2012
(NOTE-no website but Jon Eric will be playing 4 HOURS worth of music
in 2 separate sets along with local and regional artists in painting and print!)
The Elms
2108 Grandview Ave
Muscatine, IA
August 11^th, 2012

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

Terrapin Hill Harvest Festival
http://www.terrapinhillfarm.com/festival/
Harrodsburg, KY
Sept 7^th – 9^th 2012

So mark those calendars and keep checking back to see show updates as they come in!
Keep your ears out for and NEW tour & cd coming out in early FALL. 

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

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!

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!