: Who is “Where is Eric”?
Recently the number of folks receiving these ramblings passed the 100 mark. If I was paying attention I would have given out some sort of prize – maybe some stock in Ruthie’s BBQ. If that were available. But it just sort of snuck up on me.
And then last weekend I caught a little bit of Kevin Bacon being interviewed on the radio, and of course they had to discuss the whole 6 degrees thing. So that got me thinking (always a bad sign of things to come). “Where is Eric” is composed of musicians I play with, friends, family, friends of the family, the family of friends, along with random strangers who may have struck up a conversation with me after a gig and whom I cajoled into getting e-mails from me.
By being on this list, you are no more than 1 degree of separation from the following people:
- Noam Chomsky
- Sting
- Those other 2 guys in The Police
- David Letterman
Please note that I am preserving the anonymity of the actual folks who are so connected. Do not ask me to submit a demo tape to Sting or to pass on your blueprint for world peace over to Noam Chomsky. Any such request will be promptly deleted.
But if you send me the names of famous people you are directly connected to, and if I get sufficient replies, I will submit the enlarged list next time around.
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March 3, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Kevin Kiley, Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair (973) 509-1134
It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of performing with Kevin. Kevin is a masterful singer and interpreter of American music, he’s great at getting inside a song and figuring out what makes it tick. Bob Mellman says “He sings the song”. Normally Kevin fronts a full band The Outpatients, this time around it’s just me on piano and Kevin singing and playing harmonica, so we’re venturing out into uncharted territory. Come watch us as we explore.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.kevinkiley.com/
March 10, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Al Gold, Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair (973) 509-1134
I think Al might have missed his calling. With his deep rich baritone he would have made an excellent gospel preacher – or maybe an baritone opera singer performing at the Met. But lucky for us all, Al has chosen to immerse himself in the blues. Al also plays a mean guitar.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.myspace.com/algoldthesuburbanrhythmkings
March 17, Friday, 10:00PM-1:00AM – Better Off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls (973) 256-7742
It’s St Paddy’s Day and ‘Da Notch” will be hopping! Come on down and party. Or if you’re shy (and I relate to that) you can hang around the edges and watch the other folks party – there’s nothing wrong with that. BTW – I have gotten some quibbles from the Manhattanites out there as I am rarely playing in NYC these days. The Great Notch is very easy to get to by car from Manhattan – just take the Lincoln Tunnel to Route 3 West and go 12 miles until the junction with Route 46. It’s about 1/4 mile further on the right.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580
March 24, Saturday, 7-9ish PM – Eric Heilner, Raffle/Fund Raiser for Playhouse, Van Vleck Estate, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair, NJ 07042 (973) 744-4752
Many moons ago my kids went to Playhouse Nursery School. In one of those coincidences of life, my wife Lisa is now a director at said same school. This is their annual fund raiser. There will be raffles, silent auctions for various goodies, food, and entertainment by yours truly. For those of you who have never been there, the Van Vleck Estate is worth the trip all on it’s own. I will be playing piano from roughly 7 to 9 or so.
http://www.vanvleck.org
March 31, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – VD King (with Mike Kenny), Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair (973) 509-1134
It’s a double dose of VD this month – this time with 1/2 Dead. Last time around we had people dancing between the tables (quite a feat if you’ve seen the tight quarters at Ruthie’s).
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/