1.   Hi Eric, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician? I was your typical rowdy country kid growing up just outside of the great small town of Latham, Illinois on the family farm. We grew corn & soybeans and operated a greenhouse business with trees, shrubs, and all kinds of plants. I grew up working around all that, while being a member of the local 4-H Club, marching band, church youth group, and being strong advocate for bonfires on the weekends (still am!) 😉 I started taking piano lessons at the age of 5 and studied classically before drifting into playing country music.
2.   What is the first country album you ever bought and when did you know you wanted a career in it?The first country album I remember purchasing was Lonestar’s “I’m Already There.” I later became obsessed with their version of Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis.” My mom took me to a ‘Sam Goody’ store at the mall. Country music was always in my veins, growing up and listening to it on the farm, but I remember loving the music that Phil Vassar was releasing, especially since he was a piano player. His song “Carlene” was a feel-good story song about old high school friends reconnecting after many years…That opening piano riff had me from the start! 
3.   Who are some of your musical icons?Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Phil Vassar
4.   What is the background story behind your brand new single “Swing Low, Sweet Old Cadillac?”Swing Low, Sweet Old Cadillac evolved from an idea one of my co-writers brought to our writing session. I immediately gravitated toward the idea because it sounded like a really cool title…(Plus, I’m a big fan of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” having played it on the piano thousands of times at church, so it was another reason it resonated with me). My co-writers and I wanted to paint a fun, energetic picture of a modern, small town date night in a classic car: cruising down main street, swinging by the local Hardee’s, parking at the local drive-in movie and stealing kisses from your significant other. While the “party” is happening in the car, we incorporated all the “topical” features of the throwback “time machine” that make the Cadillac what it is: fins on the back, hank on the radio, and whitewall tires. Also in the chorus, we reference “The Jeffersons,” a popular sitcom from the 70’s and 80’s that also ties in the “throwback” factor. “Swing Low, Sweet Old Cadillac” is a feel-good song that anyone can dance and sing along to.
5.   Is there anything new else coming up in your career in 2019?I’ll be following up my single with an EP, and I am excited to be out on the road promoting my new music, making new country fans! I have some really cool things in the works with Hardee’s fast food chains. We have partnered together to create my first music video, and I’m fortunate to have been chosen as one of their brand ambassadors. 
6.   Where are some of your of favorite venues or events to play at?My all-time favorite venue to play is The Bluebird Cafe, here in Nashville, TN. It’s such a historical place to play as a songwriter and is a true “listening room” where the audience listens intently to every word you sing. It’s awesome to be able to share music with folks from all over the world who come to Music City for THE MUSIC! 
7.   How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words?Energetic, Vivid, Soulful, Empowering, Piano-centric
8.   What is one of your favorite quotes?“Surround yourself with good people” (My dad)