The Minor Planets on Minnesota Public Radio
MPR just aired a great (and long!) piece by Chris Roberts about The Minor Planets and our new album Shadow in the Water (download the first track of the album and…… Continue Reading
MinnPost’s Jim Walsh Likes It!
We’re always grateful when someone, anyone, really listens to and connects with our music, especially when that someone hears what you were trying to get at when you were locked…… Continue Reading
The reviews are coming in on the new Minor Planets album…
Our new CD dropped just about two weeks ago and now the reviews are starting to come in… Like a lot of our fellow musicians, Dana and I can be a…… Continue Reading
The Minor Planets on MPR’s Radio Heartland
Dana and I went into MPR’s studio this week to play a few numbers as a duo and talk with Mike Pengra and Chris Roberts about our new CD (download…… Continue Reading
Free Christmas Single from The Minor Planets
The Minor Planets is one of the many irons I have in the fire right now. It’s my countrypolitan collaboration with the amazing singer/songwriter Dana Thompson. We have a new…… Continue Reading
The Minor Planets at the Dakota — November 19
The Minor Planets will be playing this Saturday night at the Dakota in Minneapolis, our first (public) full-band, Minor Planets gig since we went into the studio to record our…… Continue Reading
A Banner Weekend at Bluegrass in the Pines
Just got back from the Bluegrass in the Pines Festival in Rosholt, WI (near Stevens Point), and I’m physically exhausted but spiritually recharged. Outstanding picking (both onstage and off), good…… Continue Reading
Busy, Busy, Busy: Upcoming CD Releases!
While the 48s have been taking a little break from the road, things have been hopping around here on the recording front. The amazing Dana Thompson and I have just…… Continue Reading
Remembering Kenny Baker
Kenny Baker, longtime fiddler for Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, died of a stroke last week in Tennessee at the age of 85. Kenny’s passing didn’t make headline news [although…… Continue Reading
Peace Gardens International Music Camp Workshop
A big thanks to everyone who joined me for the IMC fiddle camp last weekend. It was so much fun working with all of you. I was awed by your…… Continue Reading
FAQ: How do I mic a fiddle or violin (in the studio)?
Getting a fiddle to sound natural and warm through a microphone is a problem that just about every fiddle player I know struggles with. So if you’re frustrated by the…… Continue Reading
Festival Seasons is Here!
If the triple digit temperatures weren’t a dead giveaway, the my/the 48s’ schedule this week clinches it: festival season has arrived. This Thursday and Friday, I’ll be teaching a two-day…… Continue Reading
What’s the Difference Between a Violin and a Fiddle?
By far, the question I’m asked most often by students and ordinary civilians is this: “What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle?” There are the standard joke answers…… Continue Reading
Illustrated Eric: Welcome to the Redesign!
It was time to redesign. Winter was long and dreary. And dreary and long. And did I mention long? And my website was starting to look a little gray and…… Continue Reading
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant
Just found out that I’ve been awarded a Minnesota State Arts Board Grant. So excited! This will help fund an all-instrumental CD I have in the works. For this one,…… Continue Reading
MBOTMA Jam Camp
I’d just like to say thanks again to all of the jam camp students at this year’s MBOTMA fest. It was a ton of fun working with all of you…… Continue Reading
The High 48s New CD is Done, Done, Done
The High 48s have just released their third CD. It’s called Up North, and it features eight High 48s originals, two bluegrass classics and a song we picked up from…… Continue Reading