Jon Eric Music

When reflecting back on what this coming Thursday (THANKGIVING) means to me,
I am most thankful for LOVE, friends, and adopted family that has been there through
every step of my journey- unconditionally.

* Am also grateful my hands still work to serve musically or otherwise.

* Am thankful my most important tool can be once again used.
(spot repair to the banjo scroll down)

The next line up of shows can be found on my event page HERE

Thank YOU for being a part of my life!

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.

Needless to say what was explained to me by the sound man was that it was a total accident after pulling back a curtain behind the banjo to access cords it toppled over and snapped the headstock on the instrument. For the record there are absolutely NO hard feelings or malice. In fact many people who came together for me that night wishing well, giving hugs, and helping where they could.

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”…

HUGE thank you to all the people coming together after Hurricane Sally.
My heart, and prayers go out to all of you on the east coast during these challenging times. If you can- PLEASE donate where needed.

Here is a video just uploaded to You Tube last night. “TOP LEFT”
Feel free to share and enjoy!

Also the UPDATED show schedule for NOVEMBER.

Hope to see all of you out and about before it really starts getting cold.

With all the bookings coming in for Jon Eric’s the fall season, here are the current updates CURRENT dates Updated as of 10/31 (THIS date gets modified on the Face Book event page)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. ______________________________________________________ BUCKTOWN Ribbon Cutting Ceremony November 2nd, 2012 @ 11:30 AM (MORNING) until ??? 225 E 2nd Street Davenport, IA This event is OPEN to the public Afterwards- They are going to allow me to play AS long as I wish - _______________________________________________________ ***Note the SATURDAY date change IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY November 3rd, 2012 ALL AGES- Children’s Program Time 10:30 AM (Morning) Televised for IPTV ______________________________________________________ Chamber Work with Winds Samuel C Biggers (conductor) Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 4PM UCC Recital Hall in the Old Capitol Mall (Location to edit) Iowa City, IA ____________________________________________________ BETTENDORF PUBLIC LIBRARY Water Lore (variety program) November 5th, 2012 6:30 pm-8:30 pm ___________________________________________________ The Whiskey Junction With Smokin’ Joe Scarpellino (of Dead Larry) THURSDAY – November 8th, 2012 ***Please note 9pm-??? ____________________________________________________ IOWA CITY YACHT CLUB November 15, 2012 W/ Pert Near Sandstone Iowa City, IA http://www.iowacityyachtclub.org/ http://www.facebook.com/events/302483773183987/ ___________________________________________________ Bucktown Revue November 16th, 2012 Davenport, IA http://www.bucktownrevue.com/ ____________________________________________________ BARNYARD BEER Jon Eric & Tyler Gregory November 23rd, 2012 8pm (CST) Lawrence, KS http://www.facebook.com/events/430701283633326/ ______________________________________________________ FIREFLY LOUNGE November 24th, 2012 9pm 4118 Pennsylvania Kansas City, MO http://www.facebook.com/events/418539558196060/ _______________________________________________________ VINYL RENAISSANCE November 25th, 2012 MUSIC starts at 3pm sharp MY set is from 4-6pm Then we are 2 doors down at the SANDBOX _______________________________________________________ Meadows Ave Tap Saturday December 8th, 2012 W/ Chicago Farmer 2000 Meadow Ave East Peoria, IL 61611 http://www.facebook.com/events/280356158749477/ _______________________________________________________

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

 

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.

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.

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!!!”      : )

Last but not least-

Here are a couple more pictures (sent to me) of playing with

Vince Herman & The Great American Taxi

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…

If you could have one wish come true for 2010-

What would it be?

As New Years resolutions are made, most seem to be hopeful for a brand new year- Many of my fans and friends are so GLAD to be done with 2009! Stating the challenges of the year were more than most years they have encountered.

Overall my year was a positive one- with many challenges but also times that the music really bubbled to the surface and sometimes pickin’ “hotter than a cat on a hot tin roof!”

January 4th was my birthday- and I was totally in awe of the emails and messages left for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your heartfelt wishes! Had the chance to play a very special “birthday set” at The Mill in Iowa City for the last 1/2 hour of my birthday- with it being so cold here lately, I needed something to do so that cabin fever does not settle into my 5-string!

With a brand new year and unlimited possibilities- We forge ahead with no signs of slowing down! Happy 2010 everyone- I sure hope your ever wish comes TRUE!

Banjoistically yours,

Jon Eric

To vote for Jon Eric- Click HERE

Be sure to stop by daily and vote.

Thank you in advance!!!

~JE

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Article below:

The Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival, a one-day music fest to be held this December 12th, 2009 at the legendary Congress Theatre, is bringing the Battle of the Banjos to the Windy City. Organizers have announced the kickoff of “Last Banjo Standing,” an online contest that will scour the Chicagoland area to find the top bluegrass or blues inspired artist.

The winner, as voted on by fans, family, friends and music lovers around the city, will join a slew of national headliners – including Béla Fleck & the Flecktones and the Emmitt-Nershi Band – on stage this fall. 25 bands for a mere $35 bucks just got a whole lot sweeter, as one local band will get the chance to bring down the house, alongside: Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Dr. Dog, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, The Giving Tree Band, Van Ghost, Majors Junction, Chicago Farmer, Jaik Willis, Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Mike Mangione & The Band, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Tangleweed, Environmental Encroachment, Squeeze-bot, GreenSugar, How Far to Austin, Liberty Bluegrass Band, The Right Now, Cobalt & the Hired Guns, The Shams Band, Goodbyehome, and the Junior League Band

Online voting:
The online voting period begins on October 15th, and concludes on October 31st, 2009. Each e-mail address will be allotted one vote per day, and as is the tradition in Chicago, encourage your supporters to vote early and often!

Winner will be announced:
After October 31st the votes will be tallied and Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival organizers will choose the winning artist amongst the top 5 vote-getters. The winner will be announced at 12:00 a.m. on October 16th, at www.cbbfestival.com.

“As we kick off the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival, we launched the Last Banjo Standing contest to give every musician a shot at taking the stage. Chicago boasts a non-elitist reputation for recognizing good music, and we’re excited to give an up-and-coming, still-to-be-discovered musician the exposure they need to break through to the next level,” says Michael Raspatello, founder/organizer of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival.

A portion of each $35 ticket will also be donated to the Saving Tiny Hearts Society, a non-profit organization that raises money for life-saving research of congenital heart defects (CHD), and Prevent Child Abuse America.

For more information about the contest and for full lineup and ticket purchasing information, please visit: www.cbbfestival.com.

Been out and about pickin’ up a storm!

From local jams, sitting in with other talented bands and players-

to actually getting the opportunity to cut tracks in the studio.

One never knows where I will “show up” next.

Though I am humbled to my very fingertips for the opportunity to play music for a living.

Always learning and growing both musically and as a man I truly wish to be. It is an onward and upward process that requires diligence, patience, passion and hard work. Nothing ever comes easy- but I have it in me to take this as far as it will go.

All I do know is that one can never try to stop a movin’ train…

And it has already left the station! Are you on board???