Eric
Stone Mini Biography
Eric Stone’s career so far has produced 8 CD’s
in a genre that can only be described as Nautical Americana.
His music draws influences from his travels around the globe
performing in over 9 countries and 35 US States. He has done
shows in Australia, England, Costa Rica, Antigua, British
& US Virgin Islands and Bahamas to name a few.
Eric’s first CD has sold over 100,000 copies since its
release in 1999 making it certified Gold. This is no simple
feat considering it is an independent release and has no major
label distribution. His CD’s are sold in over 300 stores
and marinas.
Eric’s path to music began at an early age. He first
picked up a guitar in the 5 th grade. He was diagnosed with
a severe case Mononucleosis and had to stay home almost a
year from school and be home schooled. His mother played guitar
and since he was unable to do any physical activity or sports
due to Mono, he grew bored quickly and asked his mom to show
him how to play. She showed him three chords and he never
put the guitar down. His first live performance came at the
end of his 5 th grade year where he entered a talent contest.
He took first prize performing the Mel McDaniel song “Louisiana
Saturday Night”. The first song he ever learned was
Jambalaya by Hank Williams Sr. There was a strong Cajun influence
for Eric growing up in Beaumont Texas near the Louisiana border.
Eric continued to learn songs and improve on guitar. He joined
and started many bands including his first band called “Abadon”
that consisted of Eric, Lance Leger and Steve Comeaux. He
later joined a band called “Sudden Impact” with
his friend Brett Sensat. Eric’s taste in music ranged
from hard rock to country to calypso and everything in-between.
Eric fished and hunted the bayous of Southeast Texas until
he was 21 years old. He then landed a job with Northwest Airlines,
his proverbial ticket out of Texas. He loved Texas but had
a dream to see the world. He moved to Orlando Florida where
he met his wife Linda who also worked for the airline. Eric
worked during the day and performed at night with his then
rock band “The Risk”. They also toured the east
coast of Florida and up thru the Carolinas. Eric moved to
Hawaii in the summer of 91 and learned to play the Ukulele.
It was in Hawaii where his musical taste turned tropical.
Eric wrote 8 of the first 12 songs on his first release, “Songs
For Sail” in Hawaii and most of the beach of Makapuu’
on Oahu. In 1993 he returned to Florida and rejoined his old
band who had switched to country. The band was renamed “Eric
Stone & The Risk”. They were very successful on
the Florida circuit.
In 1995 Eric decided he wanted to write songs for a living
and moved to Nashville, TN. Within a week of arriving he was
signed to a publishing deal with Be-Cool records. Eric also
wrote songs for Famous Music, Sony Tree, Forest Creek Publishing
and many more. Eric performed his won vocals on demo tapes
and caught the ear of Producer Kenny Royster of Direct Image
Studios. They began to write together and Kenny talked Eric
into making a CD. That CD became Songs For Sail. Eric continued
to write for Nashville publishing companies and then got a
break. He was hired to perform at the 1999 Strictly Sail Boat
show by show manager Kevin Murphy. Eric jumped at the chance
and put on a great show. He was asked after his performance
if he would like to become the official entertainer for all
Strictly Sail shows. He agreed. It was at the same show in ’99 that Eric met Bob Bitchin of Latitudes & Attitudes
Sailing Magazine. It was a fledgling magazine so Eric approached
Bob and asked him to listen to his CD to possibly carry it
in the magazine. Within minutes Bob signed on and Eric became
one of the first recording artists carried in the magazine.
Bob also asked Eric if he could perform at the upcoming St.
Petersburg Strictly sail show at his annual Cruisers Party.
That set the stage for what has been a long ride. Eric has
performed at many, many Lats & Atts Cruisers Parties all
over the US and abroad and continues to this day. In 2004
Bob asked Eric if he could write a theme song for a pilot
television show he was doing on sailing. It was to be called,
believe it or not, “Latitudes & Attitudes”.
Eric wrote and recorded a song of the same name and its opens
every show now on the Water Channel. They are approaching
their 4 th season. Eric’s music is used exclusively
in the show.
In 2005 Eric began writing a novel that had been eating
his brain for many years. The novel is called “The Bayou”.
It is a mystery thriller with a twist. It is set in the bayous
of East Texas where Eric grew up and takes the reader on a
wild ride to New Orleans the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys
to the Caribbean.” The story is full of Voodoo, Hoodoo
and kinds of weird shit”. _Capt. Ron
The twist is that each chapter is also the title of a song.
A CD will accompany the book and closely follow each chapter.
It’s been a dream of Eric’s to do this for many
years and is close to coming to fruition. The book/CD will
be released sometime in 2007. In the meantime Eric continues
to write songs. His 9 th CD will be a departure from the last
8.
Eric will record his next CD with Kenny Royster but it will
be more of an acoustic CD than any before it. It also will
include new influences and vibes from artists such as Jack
Johnson, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett and more. Eric’s “Boatsongs
Collection” comprises of 6 CD’s including:
- Songs For Sail 1999
- The Legend OF The Lost Soul 2001
- Permanently Temporary 2002
- Sail America Live 2003
- Long Boards & Short Stories 2004
- Great White Christmas 2005
Eric’s Scuba Collection includes:
- The Pool Sessions
- Check Out Dive
Eric’s newest CD due out in 2006 is at this time untitled.
His lyrics will continue to engulf the listener and take them
on fantasies and dream vacations. His musical style is ever
progressing and growing and will never get stagnate. Keep
your ears and eyes open for new releases and always remember
one thing.
Don’t dream you life, Live your dream!
Eric
is the official entertainer for the Sail America Boatshows
and for the past five years has entertained guests at Strictly
Sail Chicago, Miami, St. Pete, Atlantic City, Oakland and
at the Ft. Lauderdale Boatshow.
If
you have a special event, big or small that calls for great
music i.e. corporate parties, luaus, weddings, yacht club
functions, marina parties, grand openings, conventions or
any event where top notch entertainment
is needed, then you need Eric Stone. Eric performs a vide
variety of cover tunes as well as many songs from his 8 original
CD's. Book him today for your next event. You'll be glad you
did.
Venues
and Corporate Events
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World - Nationwide
Latitudes and Attitudes Magazine - Nationwide
Sunsail Inc. - Antigua
Sam Ash Music - Nationwide
Strictly Sail America Boatshows throughout the U.S.
DEMA International - Miami
Margaritaville - Orlando, FL.
Bahama Breeze Restaurants throughout U.S.
General Motors - Detroit, MI.
Hewlett Packard Inc. - San Fransisco, CA.
Chicago Yacht Club - Chicago, IL.
Giuseppi's Wharf - Niceville, FL.
Two Harbors Marina - Catalina Island, CA.
Schooners Bluewater - Niceville, FL.
The Conch Republic Seafood Company - Key West FL.
Carnival Cruise Lines - Miami, FL.
Sandestin Resort - Destin, FL.
Baleena Bay Yacht Club - Alameda, CA.
Thrifty Nickel Inc. - Destin, FL.
Miami Yacht Club - Miami, FL.
Queensland Cerebral Palsy League - Budina, Australia
Kingfisher Resort - Fraser Island, Australia
and many, many more..
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