There has always been a spot in everyone’s consciousness for a true guitar hero. And certainly the success and adulation realized by the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan hasn’t been lost on today’s young 6 string practitioners and has spawned a long line of wannabe’s. Obscured on a number of this set is that while proficiency and enthusiasm can go a long way it can’t replace feeling and true passion.
Against this backdrop, coming from the school of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa, and Hendrix, is Eric Steckel, a prodigy with amazing guitar and vocal chops. Steckel burst onto the scene in 2002 with a live album, A Few Degrees Warmer, when he was only 11 years old! And he did so with a fully formed skill set that belied his tender age.
From here he moved quickly. He established himself as a protégé of British Blues legend John Mayall firstly on the European festival circuit, and the move paved the way for regular performances at a number of name U.S. festivals.
Now 7 CD’s later and at the ripe old age of 23, Eric Steckel is a seasoned performer. His vocal skills have matured and have kept pace with the articulation and depth of his guitar playing prowess. Still firmly in the Rock Blues idiom, his live and recorded work is marked by the backing of tight ensemble playing that lays the foundation for Steckel’s forays on a mix of originals and well chosen covers. Check out his latest release Dismantle The Sun for old school with a modern take on the Blues.
If you’re searching for heartfelt guitar centric Blues based Rock, look no further than Eric Steckel at Violet’s Venue on Saturday May 16th.
