Eric Heatherly
July 30, 2010
has become one of the most accomplished guitar slingers to hit the charts in decades. "The best mix of Sun Records meets the Grand Ole Opry that I've ever seen or heard," proclaimed Hollywood actor/musician Billy Bob Thornton after attending Eric Heatherly's sold-out performance at The House of Blues in Los Angeles.At five years old, Eric fell in love with a six-string and the first
song he learned was "Folsom Prison Blues." Pretty fitting, considering Johnny Cash's fondness for trains and the ride Eric found himself on.
The Tennessean has become one of the most accomplished guitar slingers to hit the charts in decades. Guitar legend Duane Eddy cited Eric as "his favorite new guitarist" after hearing his first single and In1997, Shania Twain invited him to play guitar for her.His first album, Swimming in Champagne, (Mercury Records) surfaced in April 2000. It met with widespread critical honors, became Billboard's #44 Top Album of the year and yielded three Top 40 singles. One of those singles, "Flowers on the Wall," walked away with the honor of the #3 Top Country Single of 2000 AND #1 video designation from both Great American Country (GAC) and Country Music Television (CMT). He also received video play on VH-1.
Eric's next record, "The Lower East Side of Life," (2005) among other accolades was named one of 2005's Top 10 albums by hot entertainment magazine All the Rage. The release found its way to Universal/Europe and spawned six top 10 singles. Elsewhere Eric's guitar-slinging/songwriting successes extend further rinto print, with features in Playgirl (naming him one of music's Top 5
sexiest singers), Guitar Player, and music industry publication Music Row magazine among those singing his praises. Music Row even awarded him their coveted "Critics' Pick Award."
He's appeared numerous times on CMT, the CMA Awards, in the IMAX film Our Country, and other screen settings. He's rocked Austin City Limits and been the guest of esteemed music authority Harry Chapman on the TV show Words & Music, which is dedicated to successful songwriters. Acclaimed Hollywood film director Robert Rodriguez, (Spy Kids Trilogy, Desperado, Sin City), was so floored by Eric's fun-loving witticisms in his co-written song "Wrong Five O' Clock" that he made a five-minute film short for it. But his atypical story doesn't end there: Heatherly's creativity rearsits head through other avenues too. He's single-handedly founded Kustom Duds, an original clothing and music accessories company. Already, some of his designs have made their way into the Musician's Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn. and in 1999 he co-created and patented the "Hot-Rod" seat belt guitar strap, featured on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine. His designs are now adorned by superstars like Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock, and Rascal Flatts.
Heatherly's latest release, "2high 2cry," (2009) shows his Rock 'N
Roll roots. The third track on the disc, "Unforgettable," has already
been featured on the NBC hit show, Grey's Anatomy. Heatherly and his seasoned band continue touring world-wide to audiences of all ages and musical interests mixing Rock 'N Roll, Classic Rock, Country & Blues.

AJ's Kid's Club!... December 31, 2011 |







