Jon Eric Music

Thank you all so much for those that came out to the SLOW DOWN & SAVOR WASHINGTON event!
Jon Eric’s “formal” set at JP’s 207 from 7-9pm on 6.9.2011 was fun, but then he continued the after-party for those who worked so hard to bring you this event. After about 6 hours of playing and all the cds of “That Was Then- This Is NOW”
gone for those that wanted them- much fun was had by all who attended.

POSTED and Video recording by: Shave Hargas
I got the chance to hang with the banjo ninja a while back at a show in Chicago, and shot this groovy lil jam outside the venue during setbreak. Great times, great show, great people! Nuthin’ but love! — with Jon Eric at Reggie’s Rock Club, Chicago, IL.

See video below:
Dragonfly by Jon Eric

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

After getting back to Iowa from taking a flight down to the Washington DC area. I was in for the time of my life seeing old friends and meeting some VERY talented new ones. With a flight being MUCH faster than a 1000 mile one way car trip.

I want to thank my buddy Mark Newton for the opportunity of sharing his “Homecoming Pickin’ Party” in Fredericksburg, VA. Raising money for the James Monroe High School Athletics Dept. on September 19th, 2009,  it was a bluegrass fund raising event that we all hope will continue for YEARS to come! The weather held- and everyone I chatted with had such a delightful time! The amazing volunteers and planning of this event was over12 months in the making and recording artists that came together for such a worthy cause made this such a huge success!

Also special thanks to Larry Jett (Sonrise) who invited me down to Wally Clever’s recording studio in Fredericksburg on Thursday 9/17/09. They are in the middle of recording cd #4 and tore it up in the studio! Sonrise is a southern style bluegrass/gospel band that is rock solid! Kind of ironic how I talked to the bass player Eddie Haynes about his son Justin Haynes (fiddler for 3rd Tyme Out). Saturday playing with Mark Newton on the main stage- Justin was sawin that fiddle to my “stage-left”! What an treat!

Pictures will be added soon so check back here and bookmark to your favorites!

Also a special thanks to all of the great folks at the Iowa City Fiddler’s Picnic! After just getting off the plane in Moline, IL. I zipped out to the fairgrounds and picked with some friends on Sunday afternoon. What a FUN time!

The Iowa band I have been sitting in with SLEWGRASS will be doing a concert Friday September 25th, 2009– Opening for Scott Cochran & Flannel. This will be a FREE show this Friday at Agave Tequila Bar and Grill in Coralville- show starts at 0830 pm. Bring a friend and let’s pack this place!

To find “like minded” kindred spirits in the music community is something that can warm the very soul from the inside out.

HERE (click) is something that I am going to be on fire about. This particular artist, Mark Newton was my bluegrass HERO growing up. And to see him doing what has has done all these years makes for a role model that many a recording artist truly strives to be.  To put on a venue of this magnitude with by far some of the BEST bluegrass talent one can see! Well, check out the flier below- and you will see exactly what I mean.

If you are into GOLF- Then THIS  is another fundraiser right around the corner- Mark will be putting on.

ANYONE can play- Celebrities ARE encouraged-

But this event is ONLY limited to the 1st 36 teams that reserved!

For James Monroe High School Athletics

I would be totally laughed at if I picked up a club. Shot a 42 once on an 18 hole course…

… the next day I tried the 2ND HOLE!

Check out this flier for the September 19th line-up!

FUNDRAISER for James Monroe High School Athletics Department