Eric Martin's Blog Spot

2009-05-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
I'm getting ready to embark on the Mr. Big reunion tour; relearning songs, helping with artwork, merchandise, stage design, jumbo screens, travel, etc. We start rehearsing later this month and I have to say I'm really excited to make music with these guys again.
The tour is 99% sold out with seats left at the Fukuoka and Yokohama shows.

Jun 05, 2009 Zepp Sapporo
Jun 07, 2009 Zepp Sendai
Jun 09, 2009 Kouseinenkin Hall Ishikawa
Jun 10, 2009 Zepp Nagoya
Jun 12, 2009 Zepp Fukuoka
Jun 15, 2009 Grand Cube Osaka
Jun 17, 2009 Hiroshima ALSOK Hall
Jun 18, 2009 Osaka Kouseinenkin Hall
Jun 20, 2009 Budokan
Jun 21, 2009 Yokohama Arena, Yokohama

Here's the title track video "Next time around" from our greatest hits album. Those of you that have already seen the video, has it become apparent to you (as it was to me making it) that there was a genuine bond and brotherhood in that studio? The majority of the old footage is from my archives (thanks for making me clean the shed Denise, I found the lost treasures of the Mr. Big past).

Click below to purchase the new Mr. Big Greatest Hits album (the deluxe edition has a DVD) -

I have to say I'm pretty happy to have two albums in the top 3 spots on the charts right now under my alter ego, Mr. Vocalist (aka The Balladeer) !!! This is a first! Check out the Sony Japan/Eric Martin site here: http://www.ericmartin.jp

I'll be playing my favorite annual Muir Beach BBQ with my old pal Andre Pessis and co. on May 24th (check the tour dates for more info). This is a home grown rock and roll show that consists of family and friends onstage. My better half, Denise, will be kicking down the block rocking beats behind us. To me it's a great hometown hang before going out on tour with Mr. Big.

This is the first Mother's Day I'll spend without my Mother (who passed away on January 20th). I will always love her and am thankful for all the love and wisdom she's ever given me. I used to call her from the road to tell her what I was up to and she always had encouraging words for me and could easily lift up when I was down. She told me how proud she was that I followed my dreams and I continue that today with her spiritual support.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there.

Stay gold,
E

ps - One last thing about the Mr. Big tour; this is not just a show and a t-shirt; we're in this for the long haul.

2009-03-11T08:37:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone,
I'm writing you from a bullet train between Nagoya and Osaka Japan. I've been here for about 3 weeks now. I was here in early February with my Mr. Big brothers promoting our tour starting this June. I went home for 8 days, picked up my wife and kids and came back to Japan to begin promoting my latest solo album, Mr. Vocalist #2. I'm exhausted but lucky to call this work.

Since I've been here, I've done a million interviews, TV shows, radio spots, photo shoots, rehearsals and shows! I had a CD release/DVD filming show on 3/4 and it was fantastic. The band here in Japan was spot on. They are all Sony's top session players and played on both of my latest releases. I had a very special guest star, Ayaka Lida, sing "I believe" with me. She is a very young, talented, famous J-Pop singer in Japan and since she covered "To be with you" I thought I would cover her song "I believe!" We did a duet of the song and the crowd was very surprised. She's so full of soul and I can't wait to sing with her again. It was great to see my sons raising the roof in the balcony; well one of them (Dylan), Jake fell asleep after the first song. What am I a lullaby singer now?! After the show, Sony exec's came backstage to raise a toast to my album entering the charts at #1, just above U2 and Coldplay. I looked like a deer in the headlights I was so shocked. I knew it was a good record but thought people would have to hear it before deciding that. Never in my life did I expect it to debut at #1. Thank you Japan! I hope you all enjoy this album as much as I did making it.

So I'm here for another few days, home long enough to make "Dad's night" at my kids school and then off to LA to do some Mr. Big business. On that note, the hype here is amazing. Fans, press, etc can't wait for this tour (either can I). I love making records, promoting them, etc. but there's nothing like sharing the stage with talent like Pat, Billy and Paul and making live music. Our tour is selling out fast. Budokan sold out in minutes and another show was added the next day at the Yokohama Arena. If you plan on going, I believe this is one of the only shows with tickets left..

Several fans have asked me about Mr. Big coming to their city. Yes we are trying to visit as many cities as we can. There are several offers on the table and at this point it's just a matter of scheduling since we all have solo projects we've been working hard on and we do not want to just drop them. It's important for us to maintain a bit of both. Please keep checking my "tour dates" section to see what's been added. I'll try to keep everyone in the loop as well.

For now, here are my tour dates. I'm doing some solo shows in the US and the Japan dates are all with Mr. Big. Check out the Muir Beach BBQ on 5/24. This is the event that I do every year with my best friends and songwriting partner, Andre Pessis. We raise money for the Muir Beach Fire Department. It's a fun gig of our favorite covers. My wife Denise is going to play drums with us this year so that will add to the good times. Mark Holley and I will join forces to do the Marinwood Music in the Park on 7/24 and back to Philly for the always fun Township Park event. Hope to see you at one of these shows.

May 24
Muir Beach BBQ Muir Beach, California

Jun 5
Zepp Sapporo Sapporo

Jun 7
Zepp Sendai Sendai

Jun 9
Kouseinenkin Hall Ishikawa North Sendai

Jun 10
Zepp Nagoya Nagoya

Jun 12
Zepp Hukuoka Hukuoka

Jun 15
Grand Cube Osaka Osaka

Jun 17
Hiroshima ALSOK Hall Hiroshima

Jun 18
Osaka Kouseinenkin Hall Osaka

Jun 20
Budokan- SOLD OUT Tokyo

Jun 21
Yokohama Arena Yokohama

Jul 24
Marinwood in the park music series San Rafael, California

Aug 2
Township Park King of Prussia

~E~

2008-06-05T07:34:00.001-07:00

Holy Mothers of invention… what a long ass flight. Man it was Oakland to LA. With a 3-hour layover then 10 hours to Lima Peru and 5 to Buenos Aires. I was spent when Martin & Charlie picked me up from the airport. Hell I have done these long flights before but I think my backside is still sore from Europe (Yeah so is my pride but that’s another long story). Anyway the cool thing (literally) was the weather, it was ice cold. I love it; it’s better than the heat baby. Trust me it can get hot as a pistol down here in the summer. Oh yeah by the way, it’s winter here. So I get to the beautiful hotel in downtown Buenos Aires at around 9 in the morning. I’m right smack dab in the middle of everything from the Casa Rosada (you know what I’m talking about? Yeah that balcony….“Don’t Cry for me Argentina” …Now do you get it?), the European influenced buildings on Diagonal Norte Street, The Cabildo (the Government house used in colonial times), The Obelisk (the main icon of the Capitol city, it’s looks like the Washington monument back in the USA) and tons of other great architecture. Well I crash out at about 11:00 am and wake up the next day at the same exact time…spooky huh? So here I am with 6 hours to kill before heading off to practice with my old amigos “The Road Vultures. So I press…yeah you heard me…lol. I start pressing those wrinkled ass black shirts of mine that have been bouncing around my suitcase for a few days. I watch a movie (the classic shoot ‘em up love story “True Romance”…. Whew, Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette have got some pretty hot chemistry daddy-O ). Hours go by fast and the next thing I know I’m rockin’ out with the boys in the band. They sound amazing. They have got ten times better and I liked the way they sounded before but it means a lot to me that they stepped up and raised the bar in their own musicianship. They must have taken voice lessons because they’ve got those humble pie harmonies down now. To make the night even better Adrian Barilari the great Argentinean rock vocalist from the Heavy Metal band Rata Blanca stopped by to sing a few songs with me. That man has got a lot of soulful singing power. I love his attitude as well, a totally laid back and confident guy. I’m sorry for running those songs over and over again Adrian! But man we sing great together. Back at the hotel now, I can’t sleep. I guess I had too much sleep from when I got here. Oh well I talked to Denise and the boys on the web cam. They look and sound great. Dylan is getting ready for the Marinwood park gig on June 27th. Yeah he’s practicing on his ukulele (he thinks it’s a guitar custom built for him). He runs upstairs and get’s it every time I pick up my guitar to write something or strum out an idea. He always wants to jam, oh man I have created a rock star. Now Jacob… he’s turned into a stop and smell the roses type of character. He’s a total independent. He’s slightly passive and shy but then out of nowhere he’s got this comedic side that will have you belly laughing. The kid has definitely got some talent. Did I mention that they are only three and a half years old? They pick things up from what we say and use our words against us all the time. Like the other day I put Dylan on a time out for pushing his brother and he said to me ”let’s not get a head of ourselves Ok Daddy?”, after I said what the…. He says ”Daddy are we going to have a problem here." 3 frickin’ years old can you believe that???? Who’s running this asylum anyway? Well I’m starting to fade kids. I had better get some rest for another day of rehearsal. Friday is the first gig and I’m looking forward to it in a big way. It’s wonderful to be back here in Argentina. ~E~ Ps. I’ll write soon

2008-03-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Station House Benefit Show
I know I have been a silent partner with you boys and girls for a long time. I apologize for the disappearing act. I hope I didn’t lose any friends/fans over my absence. I read all your emails and I just want to tell you that I’m here and doing grand and hope that you are too. I guess I just let the infamous “You Tube” speak for me (Every picture tells a story kind of dealio).
2007 proved to be a very good year for me as a world traveler, well 2008 is shaping up to be quite an adventure as well. Before I get started with my blogging I just want to thank Troy Luccketta for inviting me to participate in the Station Club Fire benefit in Rhode Island. I have been haunted by this thing for many years now and I have always wanted to lend a hand to help these families and survivors of this American tragedy. All my peers and rock heroes came out in support for these folks. Dee Snider is a real champion in my book. After I sang “To be with You” accompanied by 6 talented guys; Marc Bonilla (guitar/voc), Ed Roth (keys), Travis Davis (bass/voc), Troy Luccketta (drums) Gary Hoey (lead guitar) and the golden voice of Wes Quave I headed up the stairs of the venue to hang out with the brothers and sisters of Providence and all points in between. The first person I ran into was this lovely and energetic girl named Tammy Belanger who I talked with for a while. We talked about Mr. Big and that little song of mine and even sang a verse and chorus together; later I came to find out that her cousin Dina Ann DeMaio died in the fire. She wasn’t supposed to work (cocktail waitress) that night. Tammy kept telling me when she watched the blaze on TV it didn’t register to her because she knew that Dina wasn’t there. After numerous unanswered phone calls to her cell phone Tammy and her family went to every hospital in the area, the Word came down later that her cousin had perished in the fire. Dina’s little boy Justin was too young to know what was happening, the next day he wanted to know where his mommy was so that he could give her the pajama’s he got for her for her birthday. To watch and listen to this story told by this young brave woman was incredibly moving, I was trying to be strong at the time but I wasn’t when I said my goodbyes or right this minute. To the survivors and families; I hope and pray that we put a smile on your face and hopefully some cash in your pocket. I know the pain will never go away but maybe with a little help from your new music friends you can take care of yourselves and all the children affected by this nightmare.
The show was fantastic! Carmine Appice and Slam beat the hell out the drums and trash cans, Winger was rockin’ heavier than I have ever heard, John Rich, Gretchen Wilson and the Muzik Mafia played all the country hits, Whiskey Falls are my new favorite band (Damon Johnson rules). Move over Jon Mellencamp- folk rocker Brandon Reid is coming on strong. Aaron Lewis the heavy metal crooner (I’ll probably get lambasted for saying that but I thought he was really good), the awesome combo special of Stryper and Boston, Indie energy by Facing Forward, the emotional voice of Kevin Max from dc talk, Tesla who has consistently shined through their whole career were full of raw energy as usual (thanks Frank & Robbie for your help) and a band that I swear kicks out the jams better than anybody, “Twisted Sister.” The show ended with all the groups and survivors singing on the 80’s anthem “Were not going to take it.” The crowd loved it and I heard we raised over $200,000 dollars. Count me in for the next one Troy.

It feels so good to be touring again and rockin’ out with old and new friends. I have played with some phenomenal musicians over the past year or so and I would like to thank each and every one of them…………and a way we go-
-South America and India-
Christian Vidal - Thank you for being there for me, you are a guitar player extraordinaire my friend. I am blown away by your talent and your ability to play different styles of music. The South American tours were killer but hanging out in the beautiful Ri Kynjai Resort after the big concert in Shiilong India and listening to you play your song “ Santiago’s coming” just took my breath away. I turned my face away because I didn’t want you, Charlie and Pablo to see my tears… I’m a sucker for tango ballads. Also when we were on the Airplane coming from to Chile to Buenos Aires and those musicians busted out there acoustic guitars and you and Richie joined along in that traditional Brazilian music jam…whew… it was unbelievable. It’s awesome to see the boys look up to you as well, it’s like you’re their hero…that’s got to be a good feeling.
Charlie “The Latin Lover” Giardina - Thank you brother for laying it down on the bass and vocals. From the first tour to the second I watched you and your evolution as a rock star. Your presence on stage is exceptional…I know I’m throwing out all these 10 dollar words but dude you kicked major ass for me on tour and not only are you one of the nicest guys around but you make us all laugh with those impressions. I even liked when you did me…Am I that crazy? You’re a good friend Charlie and I can’t wait to rock with you in the upcoming tour of South America.
Pablo Garrocho – You’ve definitely got the drum chops young blood!! Thank you for breaking a snare or two with those hard hits, you make this band sound big. I was watching some video on us (The Road Vultures) from Sao Paulo and you’re slammin’ those drums, wood splinters are flying all over the stage. I hail you brother, and thanks again for not throwing your drum sticks at my head on some gigs…I can be a bit pushy with drummers…ask Denise Martin and Pat Torpey. He’s a looker girls of the world so you’ve got to treat this kid like you would a movie star. I can see him right now pointing his finger in a circular motion towards me and saying “No, No, No you no comprende my friend”…lol. Give your son “Santiago” a kiss on the cheek for me will you. See you soon PG.
Martin Perticone- to my South American Promoter/arranger/vocalist and liaison to the Road Vultures; you, kind sir, are a wonderful person. How do you fit rock and roll touring into the mix and run a huge hotel franchise as well. I’m indebted to you for keeping my dream alive.
-Australia-
John McNamara – Cheers to my new best friend on the planet. Thank you so much for bringing me to Australia as a promoter and playing guitar and singing for me. I love your style brother; I don’t mean the way you dress even though you make the rest of us look like bargain basement mannequins but it’s your aggressive swagger, clever riffing and black & blues tone that slays me. This whole touring thing was your brain child with having great musicians in different countries back me up. Denise and I helped make your plan work and it has been very successful. Thank you and your wife (Hot!!…sorry Johnny) Sheila for getting this snow ball rolling. Your Father and Mother have got to be the most down to earth people that I have ever met; I love ‘em (you too Keith). I really had the most wonderful time in OZ; we had a lot of laughs and rocked hard. It doesn’t get any better than this folks.
Keith McNamara – Holy stage presence bat dog!!! Keif me old china, you can sing, dance (Don’t dance with me….(inside joke)), rap to the audience, converse with the club owners, flirt with the girls, drink with the men, bring the house down with a scream and party like its 1999….uhm 2008. Hey look I know I can sing but if I had your presence I would be packin’ them in at the shows. Break a leg with the musical theatre and thanks for singing the harmonies with me on my tour down under.
Dean Gaudoin – when you hear the words “It’s a bird or a plane and faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings with a single bound” you think of the comic book figure known as Superman. Well for all of us mere mortals out here in the jungle…one man stands alone. It’s the bass wielding, black clad avenger known throughout Europe, Asia and parts of Melbourne as “Gaudoin” (French accent applied). You’re one hell of a bass player Mr. Suave, cool, schooled, calm and collected. I know that you’re going to be embarrassed but it’s a plain fact…Chicks dig you! All Danny and I could do is smirk…how the hell do you do it kid. You’re Gaudoin for god sake; you’re in a whole different league than the rest of us wallflowers. Well it was my pleasure to grace the stage with you and your magical powers your hipness.

Dan “Danny” Luttick – “Double trouble” and I don’t just mean his amazing double bass kicking ability, nope I’m talking about an incredible hard rock drummer with a strong willed bad ass personality. You mess with this youngster and you get the horns or a fistful of dynamite. When that jerk-off through a pint of ice cream at you from his 20th floor penthouse apartment in the Gold Coast (sorry for laughing) and it landed at your feet…man I thought you were going to get all nuclear on his ass. Danny boy you’re a superb drummer and I hail you for being no nonsense kind of blokey. You are truly one of the great ones, Virgil Donati would be proud of one of his best pupils. I recommend this cobber to the highest bidder.
-Norway-
Terje Kjørlaug – Thank you my brother for being a great band leader and putting Hayseed on hold to tour with the old rock star. You are a soulful guitar player along the lines of Hendrix, Paige and Clapton, I totally love the way you made those old Mr. Big songs come to life again with your blues rock twist. After two small tours with you I think I finally get your dry sense of humor as well…lol. Thanks to your girl Crystal for bringing us together and turning me on to the beautiful Reindeer in Oslo…hmmmm good…lol. You’re a great music writer T-man…Make me famous.
Morten Fredheim -I loved singing with you my friend, you have so much compassion in your voice and you are truly a star. If you ever want to do a new righteous brothers duo call me, we would slay ‘em in Vegas. Also many thanks for giving me a lesson in politics 101. With that green army stage shirt and the mouthful of political rhetoric; you’re like a cross between Che Guevara and Bo! Hey I would follow you anywhere el presidente. All kidding aside you’re a rock & soulful singer and good man.
PS. Kids you’ve got to hear this dude sing a song from Hayseed song called “Wings” (it is emotion in motion).
Remi Fagereng - I could do without the tobacco chew but I can’t get around it from the way you play the drums man. You have the kind of confidence on stage that I admire; you’re “in the pocket” as they say. Thanks for giving it your all and backing me up with your block rockin’ beats.
Endre Hareide- Cheers to a sweet kid and a fantastic bass player. I really hit it off with you junior; you have a great outlook on life and a wisdom way beyond your years. You are definitely living in the now and when and if “it” comes you’re not stressing about it. These are the good times in our lives thanks for showing me that Endre.
-Europe-
Fabio Cerrone- This dude is a brilliant guitarist; I have been blessed with the great ones and I lucked out with this guy. Right in the beginning of the last tour his wife was about to have a baby but Fabio took planes, trains and automobiles back and forth from Rome to wherever the hell we were on the road. He was definitely tired and burnt but he played with full force every night. He has his own instrumental Jazz rock trio called “Virtual Dream” they are unfreakin’ believable, check out his MySpace and listen to “New Dance” and “33.” He also plays with the hard rock & blues outfit “Twin Dragons.” I’ll be touring with them in April as a special guest. I’m looking forward to travelling in that beat up tour van again for 9 hours a day talking about life and laughing up a storm with my pal Fab.
Don Roxx- When I first laid eyes on this leather clad biker I thought he was the bands tour bus driver. Later I learn he owns one of the clubs that were playing at and much later I learn he’s the bass player of my new band. In the back of my head I’m thinking “Did somebody lose a bet here?” Anyway after one hell of a club tour of the back alleys of Italy I learn that this gentle giant (Ok…he’s not really a giant…more like a nice pit-bull) is a deep pocket hard driving groovin’ bass player with a sarcastic sense of humor. Oh yeah… we definitely hit it off!!
Salverio Federici- This youngster turned out to be a killer drummer with hands like hammers. “Bam-bam,” as I like to refer to him played solid and loud just like I like it. He’s a great kid too; a little serious from time to time but he’s got a good heart. It was kind of funny to watch him call his girlfriend every hour of the day, I think the rest of us were a little jealous..lol!!
Manuel Gatta- This awesome singer sounds exactly like somebody I know…uhm me, literally note for note with every gravely nuance, inflection and scream. It’s kind of scary. He’s the lead singer of a Mr. Big tribute band called “Raw like Sushi.” I was very fortunate to have Manuel sing backups with me in Italy. Cheers to a true gentleman from Folgia.
Scrap Metal- Mark Slaughter, Gunnar and Matthew Nelson, Kelly Keagy, Joel Hoekstra, Christian Cullen and Paul Taylor: Pinch me am I dreaming? No baggage, no strings attached, no band meetings, just go out on the stage and do what you do and the prerequisite is to have fun? Whew…the ultimate dream gig.
Special thanks to all the people who put in countless hours of promotion and hard work into this thing I do and making it a big success in my eyes: Maharaja Kirit Pradyot Manikya Deb Burman (thanks again for bringing me to India), Jan Eric Salvensen, John and Sheila McNamara, Stefano Luciano, Zeke Clark, Andrew McNiece, Martin Perticone, and to my manager/babies mama, Denise Martin for dealing with the 2000 pound gorilla in the room.
Thanks to my other brothers and sisters- Matt, Monroe, Tal, Uriah, Allyson, Amber and April for being there for me in the USA.

E
Ps. If I forgot anybody you can scold the living shitake mushroom out of me and I’ll fix it quicker than you can say “Billy Button bought a buttered biscuit!”

Check this extra stuff that I’ve been doing:
v American Idol Encore – I sang “Sister Christian” and “I don’t wanna miss a thang” (I tried to do my old friends proud) for the newest video game.

v Singstar – choreography for the cover and video shoot. That’s my mic pose people!

v Station house benefit show - Video Here it was an amazing event for such a great cause. Airs on VH1 Easter Sunday.

v Fillmore – Sold Out – Thanks to everyone who helped sell out the Fillmore. Mark Slaughter and I are ready to rock…well with our acoustics!

v I was asked to pick my 5 favorite albums - Guitarhoo

v A little chat about Rock with these funny dudes- Red & Jerry’s rockin metal revival – hour 3

v Interview- Blast Magazine

v Also, very important, Denise is doing a marathon for Breast Cancer and needs your support to reach her team goal. This cause is near and dear to our hearts since both of our Mothers are survivors. Click here to help!

Pss. I had my first major geek moment last month when I met and performed with my Idol Paul Rogers in Arizona. I was asked to be a part of the Gridiron Greats charity benefit along with Joe Nichols, Nils Lofgren (Bruce Springsteen), Cowboy Troy (Big & Rich), the Jonny Gunn Band and Sir Paul Rogers. What an amazing experience, I got sing “All right now” with the great one. I brought my brother Dan; we both were completely blown out by the talent that night. 1 week later Steve Vai and I (We talked about that one big thing we had in common) presented an award at the Pollstar awards in Los Angeles and Paul was there presenting as well. You should have seen me, hell my wife saw me, she said she had never seen me geek out on anyone before in her life. Believe it or not I think I said “I love you man” to him, Whoa…. I think I talked his ear off all night long. When I came out of my hypnotic trance I thought I heard Paul’s wife Cynthia saying to Denise “He always gets that crazy reaction from singers”. Well I’m here to tell you; I have been to the mountains of India, pet Kangaroos in Australia, Explored the coliseum and the ancient ruins of Rome, braved the heat of South America and withstood the icy cold of Norway but I will never ever forget the wisdom and handshake or wash the hand that had to be pried out of Paul Rogers hand again.

2007-09-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

What’s up gang,
So I finished the Australian tour on a screaming high note; A hot & sweaty, “Alive and Kickin” show in Sydney. Thanks to my new best friends all over OZ; you boys and girls know how to show this Californian a good time. So after that wild adventure and another 19 hour airplane flight, I went home to the Bay Area for 3 days to kiss the wife and kids. Now I’m in Argentina opening for my old compadre, Richie Kotzen. I just finished my set, I thought the boys (The Road Vultures; Christian, Charlie and Pablo) and I did a damn good job tonight…(hell the audience in Mar del Plata loved it so we must have rocked da house)!
RK and his band (Johnny Griparic (Bass) and Dan Potruch (Drums)) killed tonight. Man I forgot how great that kid is! This tour is going to be cool.
All right Gang it took about 5 hours to drive here on a tour bus (that were sharing with 15 other people…the opening act “Madison” , a couple crew dudes, promoters and what looks like a booster club..Lol) and we’ve got a 5 hour trek back to Buenos Aires. It’s about 2:30 in the morning and I figure we get back at….shit I don’t want to think about it.
(Meanwhile 6 F-ing hours later)
Ugh…..what a trip. That was a bus ride from hell….more like the Antarctica. That broke down, stripped gear smelling, Ice box of a bus barely made it back to the hotel. In a few hours RK and I have an in-store to attend and than it’s off to the next show. We are filming live tonight for a DVD so you kids better be on your best behavior…or not.
E
PS. I’ll get back to everyone soon.

2007-09-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

G’ day gang,
I'm here in the land down under having a wonderful time rocking out for the great Aussie fans. I have had a few mishaps along the way (you know me boys and girls? I'm cursed). The airline lost my luggage (I eventually got it back), my in-ear monitors blew up before the show due to the Australian high voltage power (I've been pretty scratchy for a day or two), custom agent harassed me (they had me sing “To be with you” and we were all as one after that) and a dingo ate me baby….no….just kidding. After my first show in Adelaide, which was a hell of a lot of fun…(thanks to the fans for a goodtime), I stayed at the home of my promoter, John McNamara. I’m here to tell you it was unreal. John and his beautiful wife Sheila live way out in the country, about 3 hours from Melbourne, in a town called Clunes. It’s a ranch style house in the big sky country baby! You've got your sheep, hawks, kangaroos, koalas and no human around for miles. His Mum and Dad live about 10 or 15 minutes away on a bigger sky country ranch; an easy 15 acres that’s for sure. When you pull up to the gates and down this long driveway you see Kevin and Bonnie McNamara’s Dynasty/ Dallas looking mansion. They both train greyhound dogs for racing. They have this full size race track on the grounds it’s truly an awesome sight to see. This lovely hard working man has been doing this gig for 35 years and treats all the dogs like if they were his own. Their fed better than me at home….lol. Well after a few days of interviews, radio performances and kicking back in the country my new mates and I are off to Melbourne for another new adventure. I'm going to stop now because I'm typing in the car. I'll write more later.
~E~

2007-08-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hello gang,

Remember me? Yup, it’s your friendly neighborhood rock and soul servant, daddy day care minion, lazy ass blogster and man about town (or should I say world traveler?). Yeah, yeah, yeah I know it’s been a long time.
I’ve been keeping a close eye on the web page and I’m sorry I’ve been incognito. No excuse…. uhm except it takes me all day and all night to type…I suck at it. I have been doing a lot of projects over the last year; benefits around the country, writing the never ending solo album ( I’ve always needed a good kick in the ass to get going), Scrap Metal gigs, Singing BG’s on a new Ted Nugent record (Amazing huh? Thanks Jack), singing on a new karaoke game, a handful of shows around the globe and learning to tango…nah just kidding. My big focus right now is my upcoming tour in Australia, South America, Europe, India and a more shows in North America. I’m calling the tour “Live down under, up and over, around the horn and back in the USA.” If all goes according to plan I’m going to have a goodtime and hopefully so will you. I do hear some talk about going back throughout Europe in December. Bring it on baby.

I had this Idea a few years ago on how to tour overseas and keep it cost effective and keep the music fresh. My manager (My baby’s mama Denise Martin) would call promoters all around the world and book shows 5 months in advance, find the best rock musicians or the most popular bands in the big cities and have them learn 18 to 20 of my tunes, send mp3’s back and forth and pray for the best. So far so great!! “The Road Vultures,” my Argentinean rock band, kick out the jams (I’m taking these boys to India). “Hayseed,” from Norway, play my set bluesy, ballsy and soulful. I‘m looking forward to working with my friend John McNamara and his outfit down in Australia (virgin territory for me). I have been working with some new musicians at home as well; some of you have met them already at my last couple shows. I would love to hear what you think of these guys and girls? You heard me…girls. Yeah I missed the soul singing so bad that I had to incorporate it back into my show. Cheers to Allyson, Amber and April for their angelic soul belting.

There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t love what I do and I couldn’t do it without you folks out there. I’ll miss all my fan/friends back home but I have been looking forward to this trip for years. I’ve been a weekend warrior for too long.

After Australia I’ll be traveling to South America to share the spotlight with my old MR. BIG band mate, Richie Kotzen. I haven’t seen the kid since 2002 but I have been following his career since the bands demise. Maybe after his bands set we can dust the cobwebs off of some of those old tunes we use to play together and give the fans more bang for their buck.

I just found out that a good friend and road crew member of my old band 415/ EMB has passed away.
Johnny Howard was our champion. He loved us so much and the feeling was mutual, we took that kid under our wings and made him an honorary member of the group. Johnny and his family lived right across the street from us in Novato, California and took care of the band. His father Paul is one of my oldest friends. It’s incredibly sad when a father has to bury his own son…my heart is heavy and I hurt deeply, my condolences to Kelly, and the family and friends of this young man with a heart of gold.

Before I say so long I want to thank my manager for all the hard work she did to make this tour happen. There are a lot of details that go into planning things like this, and it aint easy. I used to take it for granted when the big agencies would handle the tours back in the day; I didn’t know that there was a lot that goes into it. I thought you blew in a phone call, we show up and play the gig. I’m such an idiot sometimes. Denise took charge of everything at the home front with some great help of all of the promoters.

I love you babe, I won’t let you down.

~E~

2007-05-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Boys & Girls from all over the world,

I have been a busy singer dude lately. On April 12th Mark Holley, John Nymann and I performed at the Saddle Rack club in Fremont benefiting one of radio’s first shock jocks; Dennis Erectus. We played a handful of songs that turned out pretty good for a little acoustic show opening for the big and badass rock band Y&T. I hope & pray Dennis recovers and that his family, friends and fans got a little solice from my music.

On April 13th most of the Bay Area’s finest singers and musicians wowed them at the Sweetwater in Mill Valley, Ca. with a tribute to the fab four. My beautiful friends Monroe & April Grisman called just about everyone in the book to perform electric and acoustic sets to honor the Beatles. Yours truly was asked to sing “Lady Madonna”, “Get back”, “8 days a week” and personal favorite, “Nowhere man”, not to mention participating in this grandiose encore medley of “Let it be”, “Golden Slumbers” (Carry that weight) and “Hey Jude.” The stand out’s were: Allyson Paige performing a killer version of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” that had everybody in the house singing along; Loralee Christensen belting out “ Helter Skelter”(Damn that woman rocks); Amber Morris (and her guitar player extraordinaire husband Tal Morris) killing on “I am the Walrus;” Greg Scott doing an R&B version of “Yesterday” (making the beautiful ballad his own); and the talented Grisman’s Monroe & April starting the night off just right with “With a little help from my friends.” Monroe, Tal Morris, Adam Berkowitz, Denise Martin, Eric Levi, Uriah Duffy, James DePrato and John Mader brought the Beatles back together for a spiritually charged evening. Thanks so much to those who came to the show; let’s all do this again.

Oh I forgot “Scrap Metal” my alter band ego played at the end of March for the Nashville Songwriters Association. I love that band and hell yeah we rocked the house, but man we’ve got to play some more shows around the country. The fans of Mark Slaughter (The voice of a screaming angel), Kelly Keagy (Nightranger’s motorin’ multi purpose music man) and the dynamic duo of our fearless leaders Gunnar & Matthew Nelson demand it…….. It’s good to be demanded.

I just got back from a mini-tour of South America (Argentina and Brazil); I had a very cool adventure there. The promoter Patty Toledo and her staff (Marcelo, Natalia and Patty’s son Henrick) treated me like a rock star (Hey what can I say, its been a fricking long time). I love you boys and girls for the professional hospitality and the everyday humor (Henrick). After a long and turbulent plane flight, my first day in Argentina proved to be quite eventful. I would say it was about 3 hours of traffic from the airport to the city, when we got to area where the hotel was it was jam packed with cars and people so we decided to walk while dragging my gigantic suitcase (I always pack to much stuff…. Doh!) through out the side streets. All right the hotel (but this wasn’t just any hotel) looked like a New York/Berlin furnished Penthouse in the middle of beautiful downtown Buenos Aires and baby that made it all worthwhile. I would like to give a special thanks to my new best friend Martin Perticone (NH Hotels Big Shot) for making my stay an enjoyable one. I mean check this out, he brought me his own guitar, Playstation 2 and worked out my wireless access so I could feel right at home…. yeah in my palace. So after I splashed some water on my face, changed my shirt and knocked back a Stella Artois we all headed off to practice with the new Argentina EMB. After a few minutes of meet and greet with Christian Vidal (Guitar), Pablo Garrocho (Drums) and Charlie Giardina (Bass) I knew we were going to be great. We sat around this rehearsal space waiting for the power to turn on and Charlie picks up this guitar and starts to sing
“Goin’ where the wind blows,” than Pablo, the drummer and Christian break into “The Chain.” Man these songs weren’t even on the list. They were really good too. Anyway after I picked my tongue off the floor we all piled into a cab to head out to another rehearsal space and jam on the 18 song set list that these boys have been learning for a month and a half now. It all turned out better than I expected, I mean I didn’t think that it could get any better than my Norway brothers “Hayseed” but things have a way of working out for me lately. My fingers are crossed after that statement. The gigs in Argentina were fantastic; this club called Acatraz was amazing. It was a converted multiplex theatre with every aspect of entertainment in it. It’s hard to explain but to me it reminded me of this mega club called the Starwood in Hollywood in the late 70’s. It had a disco/restaurant/ two clubs in one except Acatraz had a mini bowling alley in it as well…I shit you not. The band played great and I was a happy camper. The next couple of days Patty scheduled some press and TV interviews. One of those days we went to lunch in the NH hotel with Adrian Barilari (the lead vocalist from the classic heavy metal band Rata Blanca), now I know some Americans don’t know who this man is but most of the Spanish speaking countries of the world are totally hip to this incredible rock singer.
This man is not only an unbelievable talent but also a real down to earth guy. We ate lunch and talked for a long while, I like him a lot. He told me that he was recording one of my songs for a new album, more on that later.

After my short and wonderful stay in Argentina it was off to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Sounds & Jams staff; Attila and Daniel met us at the airport and whisked us away to the hotel…(Ok whisked is not quite right, more like drove 120 miles an hour to the front door). A couple of interviews the next day and an awesome 3-hour record store autograph session (thanks to Animal records for that one but I can still hear Carlos yelling in my ear..lol). Then it was time to rock out at this place called Blackmore…yup, named after heavy metal’s master blaster guitar hero Ritchie Blackmore. It was a dark cavern type concert club with a balcony and one door to come in and go out. Yikes! Anyhow, the gig was a success and the crowd was the best I have seen since playing Brazil in 1994. But you can’t imagine how hot it was in there; I can only describe it as if you were singing in a sauna. Oh my God I almost passed out a couple of times and I could see that the fans were getting a little light headed as well. It was an experience I’ll tell you that. I was so tapped out after singing about 22 songs I think I promised I would buy an air condition unit for the club. Oh my wife’s going to kill me. After the show we crawled up to the dressing room and knocked back some liquid refreshments to revitalize ourselves. Then it became a shmooze fest with all the media and the most famous rock stars of Brazil. Members of Dr. Sin (The band that played with MR.BIG in Sao Paulo 1994), The great Edu Falaschi lead vocalist from ANGRA, Chuck Billy and his band Testament who just happened to be in Brazil the same night I was…. it was great to see those guys. (Alright Chuck I’ll sing on your new record if you and Alex write me a music track ala classic 70’s rock).
There were tons of people coming in and out that night. I’ll be back in South America soon you can count on it.

So the next day, (wait a minute actually 5 in the morning) I split back to the USA. Another long flight and sitting in the middle seat…ugh..Yee-haw it’s the whole rock & roll package. I met some nice ladies on the plane so life was good. I arrived on the morning of the 27th, kissed my wife, played with my children, crashed out and pretty much woke up on stage at the Westin Hotel in San Fransico where me and a dozen musicians gave tribute to the legendary Sammy Hagar, Linda Perry and Narada Michael Walden. That was a memorable night for sure. Ronnie Montrose, Michael Anthony, David Lauser and a 20 plus member choir called “The Voices of Celebration” and your faithful servant performed the all American rock classic “Rock Candy” and “Where Eagles Fly.” My brothers and sisters its hard to sing Sammy but its even harder to sing Sammy in front of Sammy!!!! But we rocked and Sammy was moved by our musical sentiment I could tell.

I’m off to Baltimore next week to join forces with my old friend Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts) and Jeff Carlissi (38 Special) and John Waite for an all star benefit concert. Upcoming shows: Utah in May, Canada in June, back to Norway for the Color Rock festival with my boys Hayseed in October.

I missed everyone back home very much but its great to be working again. I love my job, I love the people I work with and play for.

I would do anything for you,
E

This Month’s Press:
Palco Vale

2007-03-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Gang,

Norway/Hayseed
Contrary to popular belief…I love touring. I don’t know if it’s the camaraderie of a new band of brothers, or the traveling in a cramped van with all the equipment, or just the incredible feeling of adventure in a different country. Oslo Norway is so gorgeous, snow-capped mountains, nightlife galore and everybody looks like they jumped out of the pages of Vogue magazine. There is a lot of love for my new favorite band “Hayseed.” The members include; Morten the lead singer (who took a seat in the back to sing backgrounds for me. Thanks man). I know I throw out the word “star” a lot in my blogs (I know how to pick em’) but this dude is shining, he’s a great singer and showman not to mention a political annalist (thanks for that too man). Endre’ is a bass player extraordinaire, fans would agree with me when I say that he is a “gentle giant.” He works the music scene of Norway like a machine, he plays in cover groups to pay his rent, church gig’s for his spiritual well being, Television gig’s and teaches music on the side to kids…. and he’s 24 years old. Remi, the drummer, has more chops than a Karate expert. That boy has a heart of gold and a dry sense of humor (hell, they all do). Terje, the left-handed guitar player, is the principal songwriter of the group, he’s also the leader but he leads with a look…or is it a stare? I don’t know maybe its telepathy but he keeps the band tight. They learned an hour and a half of my material in 3 weeks. We practiced once and they tore the roof off these gigs. These guys have been together for years and then this crazy, outspoken American shows up at their front door for a week’s worth of shows and they all make me feel like I’m a the new member of the band. Thanks to Crystal for bringing me back to Norway and kick starting the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Oh yeah the gig’s!! Oslo rocked, Strommen could have been better and Fagernes was the best. I sometimes wish that I could bend the hands of time back a few notches and start this whole musical life of mine over. Ahhhh to be young again. Check out the reviews-

The Wiggles
I grew up with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and now the next generation Martin is into the song and dance comedy of the Wiggles. The Martin family rocked out to the new Fab faux on March 13th. Jake & Dylan lost there minds and danced in the isles of the Paramount Theater in Oakland Ca. Hits like “Fruit Salad…. yummy, yummy” and “Do the Monkey” are forever imbedded in my head.
These tunes are chock full of catchy hooks, It’s like “To be with you” for tots.

Scrap Metal

I am rockin’ out in Nashville at the end of the month to do another gig with my band, Scrap Metal (Well it’s not really my band….. it’s the peoples band). We started filming our promo video at our last gig and will finish up the remaining pieces at this show. The gig is at the Mercy Lounge for the Nashville Songwriters Showcase. It should be a few days of fun. It’s basically like a NAMM show without the gear; just tons of performances at every club in town. We have the beginning of our electronic press kit posted on the Scrap Metal website. Check it out.

Argentina
I’m finally headed to South America on my 1st solo tour. It’s going to be like the Norway adventure but probably a little heavier pop metal. There will only be two shows in Buenos Aries (both at Acatraz) but hopefully it will open up the metal gates for more shows in the future. We’re also working on a show in Brazil, so keep checking my tour dates page for more info. My old band amigo Ritchie Kotzen started out just like this and now he’s a regular in the South American club scene. I’ll keep you posted on the musicians/ set list and all around gossip.

Beatles Night
Monroe and April Grisman, Fairfax and Marin county’s rock & roll socialites, are hosting and performing a special night of Beatles music called “Come Together” at the famed Sweetwater nightclub in Mill Valley Ca. Most of the musical community will be on hand to lend their voices and rock skills to this communal event. My girl Denise will be riding shotgun with me as we throw down on some Beatles tunes.
So please join us as we raise money for beer and party like you just don’t care!!

Dennis Erectus Benefit
One of the great local radio pioneers, Dennis Erectus (98.5 KOME / 92.3 KSJO), has been hospitalized and is in bad condition from a heart attack (according to friends of his). We’ve got an obligation to help this dude right? No matter what he’s our brother (yeah brother from a another mother) and his shocking antics entertained the shit out of us so we kind of owe it to him to help him out. I think anyway. Most of the jocks of my day and today for that matter were pretty much told what to do, say or play by general managers and programmers but there were a few that were rebels and went against the grain and pushed there way to the front of the line and sometimes over the edge. That’s Dennis. Howard Stern was a seedling when Dennis arrived from the planet “Holy shit did he just say what I think he said”. “…In 1976, Erectus ran for president against Ford and Carter by promising a big-breasted 14-year old virgin to every man or woman who voted for him “. Mark Holley and I will be lending our support by playing a handful of acoustic songs to open for Y&T at the Saddlerack in San Jose on April 12th.

Austin Willacy
Our friend Austin Willacy will be playing at Café Dunord for his new record release party. I was fortunate to sing on a strong and soulful rock track entitled “To heavy to fly.” I love this guy not only for his talent and confidence but also for turning me up in the mix. Hey man most of the stuff that I get asked to do gets buried alive…anyway I’ll be there to support my friend. Feel free to join me.

This Month’s Press
Metal Express Radio

2007-02-07T20:47:00.000-08:00

Hello Gang,

I trust everyone is doing well. First of all let me get this out of the way: the 415 project/ concert video and album are still in the works but it seems that a few of the guys are busy doing other projects. “Sucker for a pretty face” is available on my website for $.99. I had a lot of requests to hear the song last year so I thought that I would dust the old record off and share it with you for a while. It won’t be up there to long, so get it while you can. “Destroy All Monsters” and “Pure” are now both available on itunes and the other digital download sites. “Somewhere in the Middle” should be up any day now.

I am going to do a mini tour of Norway in March with this awesome band called Hayseed (I checked them out…I totally dig ‘em). The band contacted me and said that they would learn 18 of my songs and back me up like they have for Joe Lynn Turner as well as other rockers. Why am I taking this big chance? I miss Europe. I love rockin’ out to the masses and it seems painless and a hell of a lot of fun. If it goes good and I don’t freeze to death maybe we can tour the rest of Europe.

I don’t remember if I talked to you about this before but I went to see The Nelsons at the Marin County fair last year and was blown away by their vocals and catchy tunes. They’re also really genuine dudes. So, after the show they asked me if I wanted to participate in a band called Scrap Metal. It was uncanny, they did it together like they were twins…uhm wait a second they are twins...doh! Well it was spooky anyway!! At any rate, 8 months later and a hell of a lot of planning we finally got together and played our first show on Feb.3 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The line up consisted of The Nelson brothers (Gunnar & Matthew), Mark Slaughter, Kelly Keagy (drummer/ soul singer from the planet holy sh#t) and yours truly. Dave Marshall (guitar slinger) & Steve Hornbeak (keyboard’s and my new best friend) backed us up with more power. It was really cool being onstage with those guys. I felt like I was in Mr. Big again…sort of. We filmed the whole thing including interviews and backstage antics for the band’s promotional video. Trust me you’ll be seeing this very soon. I performed like a bull in a china shop; I was on fire. I hope they call me back for another show or a mega tour around the world (throw in another tune or two and you’ve got a deal) because I’m ready for a new adventure. Here’s the set list…chalk full of hits kids:

You Can Still Rock In America
More Then Ever
Mad About You
Sing Me Away
After The Rain
Up All Night
Wild World
To be with you
Time Will Tell
Goodbye
Love and Affection
Fly to the Angels
Daddy, Brother
Alive And Kickin
Sister Christian (Eric will sing a verse)
Burring Bridges
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me (Eric will sing a verse)

Thanks to the fans for making the Wooden Music night series a huge success. Every show has been packed and the owners are digging the people. They have offered me more dates if I want (maybe we can take it on the road. Hmmm…were always cooking something up in the Martin Camp). SO WMN II was off the hook; my young apprentice Chris Wilson (who is not a little boy anymore, he’s 20 years old) has got that certain something that record companies should stop and listen to. He is a hip singer/songwriter with more guitar chops than ever before. He looks like a model in a surf/ punk suit but he’s a rebel with a clue. He’s grown up to be an intelligent and independent sweetheart and soon to be king of the hill. I love that kid.

Loralee Christensen can sing the phone book and people would stand up and cheer. She had me at hello. Ok maybe not hello but the song “Will you love me tomorrow” struck something in me to send shivers down my spine. She sang a bunch of great stuff but I was so floored by her rendition of that Carol King hit I was in a hypnotic state. So now every time I see her or talk about her that song is going to come up, no doubt about it. Look I have a huge catalog of tunes but people just seem to want to hear me sing that one song…you know what I’m talking about?

Greg Scott, who the hell does this guy think he is? A star in the making folks. He lit up the stage as soon as he sat down to play his keys and sing his heart & soul out. I could see on the faces of talented singers that I knew like April Grisman, Elena Keating & Allyson Paige all get into this kid. April & I looked at each other and shook our heads as if we saw the ghost of Donny Hathaway. I honestly want to see Greg make it, he has all the right stuff plus his Pop is behind him all the way and that reminds me of the man who put this page together from the beginning (my Pop, Pepper Martin). He believed in me too.

WMN III is shaping up to be so special. I am a huge fan of my former label mate (Atlantic records) and friend Zoë Ellis. I have seen her perform with the infamous Mo’fessionals at sold out standing room only performances in the Bay area and solo concerts at Yoshi’s in Oakland. My wife/drummer Denise played in a group with Zoë called ODOS (One degree of Separation) where I never missed a show. I was so blown away when she sang on a couple of my albums. Nobody sings like Zoë, she’s soulful and unique. I’m so happy to have her on the bill with us.

Lynn Asher and Allyson Paige will finally grace the stage together for an unforgettable performance I’m sure. Blondes have more fun.

Jesse Brewster is no stranger to the stage but he’s still wet behind the ears as far as the rest of us. Now that’s just saying he’s young and hipper than the rest of us...lol. Jesse’s a talented singer/songwriter. I played on the bill with him at the Hotel Utah in San Francisco and I like him and his music a lot…I wanted to get my Spunjunket album signed but I’ll have to wait when I see him on Sunday Feb. 18th.

I just want to say that Y&T were so gracious to the EMB at New Years Eve. I have been on tour with the biggest bands in the world and Y&T rates among the best band I have ever worked with. Oh yeah that show was kickin’!!!!! Check out their music if you haven’t heard it before. They rock, nuff said.

Till we meet again…uhm how about Feb. 18th

~E~

This Month’s Press:

Scrap Metal - Mohegan Sun Review

Podcast – interview featuring Eric Martin

Glam Metal – interview featuring Eric Martin

Add Eric Martin and Scrap Metal to your myspace friends:

http://www.myspace.com/ericmartinband

http://www.myspace.com/scrapmetalband

2006-12-31T06:19:00.000-08:00

12/31/06

Whoa Nelly! This year has been crazy. My little baby boys are not so little anymore. Dylan & Jake are bouncing off the walls…”Ok boys Daddy’s got to write! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!” Anyway you get the picture. But (here comes the disclaimer) they’re so adorable. Every morning I am met with big hugs and mushy kisses…. Uhm… but the rest of the day is like an action movie with a little drama thrown in. Accepting the award for supporting role in “Father knows enough to get by” is…

Christmas was pretty wild this year, granted our house looks like Toys R us, but they’re having fun and its been too cold outside to swing from the trees. Our friends Mike and Christy Q. took the Martin familia (including my Mom “Iris”) on a horse and buggy ride last week through the streets of Novato Ca. (it’s the new hip place to be they say…huh…) to see the lights and to visit the famous Christmas house. The kids loved it, Daddy liked the special brew the Q’s cooked up (hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps!!) Yum, Yum. Pretty much right after that everyone except me got the flu or that virus that was going around. I think that the booze was keeping me alive. No really.
Oh yeah Santa came bye to see my sons riding on a fire truck and a Harley (No I’m not drinking now).

So the gigs have been really good this year but not enough of them to throw my fist in the air and say, “ rock on” or anything. But the highlights are:

The long awaited 415 reunions at the Boardwalk and the Mystic theatre ironically called the ”Two for the road tour”. The rehearsals at my house were so great hanging with all the guys. I’ve got to say that Tom Duke is a real fine gentleman.

Working with Ronnie Montrose is always a pleasure and recording at the infamous Record plant is a blast as well (Thanks Michael I. For thinking of me…. I sure would like to hear that song boys). Also Playing along side the great Denny Carmassi sure put a smile on my face and an “Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening to me” feeling inside my head.

Denise and I making it to the 7-year mark as a couple…that’s a big Rock on!

The Ashland Oregon show with Tommy and Ronnie from DPS was fun. What was that cute percussionist’s name again? Kelly and Beate were really lovable and in a round about way that could rhyme with Double Trouble.

My friend Susan Z gathered all her favorite musicians and singers together and helped raise money and awareness for breast cancer at the Sweetwater. I loved being a part of that group.

I have been fortunate to go to Baltimore for a few years now to participate in an all-star band that raises money for the Casey Cares foundation (The Casey Cares Foundation mission is to provide uplifting and heartwarming programs with a special touch in order to enhance the lives of critically ill children and their families). This year was extra special; I got to rock out with my old band mate and compadre Jack Blades and the nicest guy in show business Kelly Keagy. Honorable mentions go to Jon and Eileen Belinki, Mike and Ellen Dimayo, Lynn Hoffman, Mark Rivera, Rickey Byrd, Will Lee, Teddy Z, Derek St. Holmes, Nils Lofgren, Howard, Eric Biondo, Christine Ohlman, Crystal Taliefero, Jerry Frishman and Leslie Gore.

Amber Morris hosted and performed with her mega talented husband (and best dressed man in the county) Tal Morris at the Larkspur theatre with an alliance of singers and top musicians of the Bay Area called “SuperFriends” (I dig that name). That was a blast, thanks doll; you’re on your way up.

Andre and I “modified” (a long story) this famous instrumental hit song called “Truth,” by the Japanese and world renowned band T-Square for vocals. It has been a wonderful and wacky experience but the finished product is great.

In-between writing and wiping (Yikes) I created this showcase for local talent called “Wooden Music Night” at the Sweetwater in Mill Valley Ca. It’s an evening of music from professional and amateur artists playing acoustic instruments and singing (you can cheat a little bit with a keyboard… there’s no law in dodge city) that ranges from Rock, R&B, Gospel, Country, reggae etc. Our first show Dec. 17 was sold out actually it was soul’d out with strong performances by my brothers and sisters; Lynn Asher (Allyson Paige was out of action with the flu), Monroe & April Grisman, Tal and Amber Morris, Denise Martin, John Nymann, Mike Emerson and James (The Model) Nash. Thanks to all the fans/friends for making my dream come true. I’m keeping that encore medley thing in for all the shows…man that was powerful.

Wooden Music Night II on Jan. 21 is going to have an equally killer cast as the first gig.
Joining Denise and I will be singer/pianist Greg Scott. I met this young man at a local watering hole a few months ago and he gave me a CD to listen too. Now I’ve got to tell ya folks most of the stuff I have been given in the past years has been OK or just works in progress sort of speak and that’s the nice explanation. And no I don’t use them for coasters, Frisbees maybe. Anyway I listened to a couple of songs this kid sang and I thought I was listening to a Stevie Wonder record that I hadn’t heard before. Well after I picked my jaw off the floor I called this guy and praised him for his God given talent. I can’t wait to sing with him; we all have got to check this guy out. Loralee Christensen has got pipes and has had the pipes consistently since I met her in the 80’s. Not only is she an incredible soul belter but one of those women that you need to be friends with. She puts a lot of love in the room. My young apprentice and prodigal guitar player Chris Wilson who has done big things since leaving the Bay Area for San Diego a few years ago is on the bill. I remember when his mother Mary bought him a guitar at 12 years old. I taught him 3 or 4 chords, turned him on to Mr. Big and classic rock & blues music from Led Zeppelin to BB King. By the time the kid was 14 he was playing circles around older guitar players that I knew and standing tall on the stage with me, Tommy Castro and Elena Keating among others. He’s 19 now and has some great music to play and sing for you. The kid is back in town. One more performer and the line up will be complete. I’m waiting for confirmation. This one is a secret.

I hope and pray we get our troops back from the desert and that we keep our children and loved ones safe from fear and evil. God bless everyone that I know and those I don’t know yet.

~E~

PS. A special thanks to Monroe Grisman, Tal Morris and Jun Senoue for writing a whole lot of music for me and lighting a fire underneath my ass. Thanks to my band; MarkH. Mark C., and Matt thanks for being there for me dudes. Cheers always to my songwriting partner and best friend Andre Pessis.

And last but never least my wife Denise for managing my life and asking nothing in return…. ok that’s not true. I have to clean out the dreaded shed in the backyard, take down those Christmas lights that were a bitch to put up in the first place and be nice. Well two out of three ain’t bad.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Look for VH1 Metal mania: Stripped volume 3 coming out in Feb. with my song “Just Take my Heart”.

2006-11-13T05:41:00.000-08:00

So I agreed to perform every breast cancer event that came my way this year. It’s a great cause and a terrible disease that hits way to many women in all of our lives. I thought I’d do what I could to help a great cause. Last nights “Standing Ovation” was one of the most fun benefits I’ve ever done. It’s been months of rehearsing with a group of talented people to ensure that every kink was worked out. This event was full of Broadway musical skits and I (along with my ol’ faithful singing companion, Elena Keating) was enlisted to sing “Summer Nights” from the movie and play” Grease”. I played Danny and EK played Sandy. My good friends Geoff and Corey helped round out the “guy gang.” Leather jacket, cuffed jeans, some Chuck Taylors, slick back hair and a chain wallet was my theme with my girl EK in a blue poodle skirt (yes, we went out after the show to our local watering hole, Rafters, dressed like this)!! My wife Denise and her girl gang, Christy, Ruth, Traci, Pam, my sister Joanie and sister in-law Kelly were part of the wait staff for this event. They worked their asses off running plates to over 300 people in a packed house. Every person working this event donated his or her time to raise the most money for the charity. It was a great to see so many people get together for such a great cause. Comic performer Gina Ottoboni-Stahl brought down the house; the woman is an incredible talent. Anyhow, I thought we all did a great job and got a great response from the audience.
Halloween was amazing. Jake and Dylan were their heroes (for this week) Buzz and Woody. We went to a kiddie class, out to breakfast, to get their photos taken, trick or treating and then to our friend’s party at night. It was one of the longest days of my life, I felt like I was on a promotional tour with Mr. Big. I loved walking the boys up to people’s doors to say “trick or treat.” They figured it out after the second house, “take a piece of candy from this stranger, put it in my pumpkin bucket, give a cute smile (cause I can’t say thank you yet) and move on to the next stranger.” Since my kids are only 2 (almost, November 24th), Denise and I have been on a sugar high for the past few weeks eating all that candy. Yummy.
I’m writing some great new songs at the moment. I’m working hard to gather my best material for my next album. I’ve been back and forth on what style I wanted to create and I’ve got it now…pure rock and roll! It will be great, I promise.
December is going to be a great month, (besides my boys celebrating Christmas where their finally old enough to open a box and know what’s inside), I’m playing a couple of killer shows. Dec. 17th, I’m bringing back “Wooden Music Night” to the Sweetwater. In the heyday of Mr. Big, we’d be out on the road so much that I lost touch with playing clubs, so after several years of this, I started “Wooden Music Night.” I’d invite some of my friends to come down and play this acoustic event and I’d be the MC as well as play a few songs. We had Jonathon Cain, Sedona, and tons of other artists. I thought it would be fun to bring it back. I’ll see how this one goes (how much time I have to put into making it happen) and hopefully it will be a once a month event. This first one features my extended family, April and Monroe Grisman, Tal and Amber Morris and Asher and Paige. All great friends of mine and I can’t wait to have them join me onstage. We’re cooking something up for a grand finale. On New Year’s Eve, EMB will reconnect to play with Y&T. Jill Meniketti asked me to do the show and I thought it would be a great way to bring in the New Year, with some wonderful friends.
See you all soon
~E~

2006-10-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I’m a tardy Mofo when it comes to this news thang…but truthfully I didn’t think you boys & Girls wanted to hear stories about my kids or how many diapers I’ve changed or how many times I have scolded Dylan for screaming at the top of his lungs like I use too when I was his age. I’ve got to tell you, it’s been my life for almost two years now, and a wee bit of music but for the most part MR. MOM is in the house!!! (Still loving every minute of it).

Any who! Where do I start? So I performed with my old pal Tommy (DPS) and his gang at this cool gig in Ashland Oregon, Oh yah-volt (Bad German spelling) I met the beautiful Beate…what a wonderful girl, I can totally say that this girl made an impression on all of us here. Danke fraulien.

About a week or so later Me and the Mrs. backed up our young friend Corey Powers at the annual Memorial Day celebration at Stafford Lake, …This kid is going to be big some day trust me. My friend Susan Z (with a Heart of Gold) put together a benefit show for folks with Breast cancer at the Sweetwater in Mill valley with some of the bay Area’s finest singers. I was so fortunate to sing with Amber Morris on that special night, (the great April Grisman’s sister), that girl is a star. I went to Baltimore Maryland (actually it was in Rockford) for the Casey cares benefit show with a huge all-star band who included Nils Lofgren (Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist), My East Coast best friend Ricky Byrd on guitar (Joan Jett), Jack “My brother in arms” Blades & Kelly Keagy, (NightRanger) I got to sing my ass off and sing back-up on “Sister Christian,” I always wanted to sing that Motorin’ part. Derrick St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), Will Lee (Bass player elite), Carmine Appice (Rod Stewart, Vanilla Fudge), Teddy” Zigzag” on keys who has played with everybody who is anybody (A very down to earth guy), Eric Biondo (Trumpet and a crazy kid), The incredibly gifted soul singer Christine Ohlman, percussionist and kick ass singer Crystal Talifero (Billy Joel), a host of other awesome talents and our fearless leader; Mark Rivera (Foreigner, Billy Joel). Those of you who are fans of 60’s pop music Leslie Gore showed up to sing her hits including… “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want too”. It was so heavy, the crowd and yours truly freaked. Over the last few months I have been rehearsing for another Breast Cancer Benefit put on by Pam Epilito and Ovation 6, it’s called “Broadway Musical Madness” and it features many on and off Broadway performers. So with a cast of thousands (OK 10)! Elena Keating (My diva and vocal partner for many years) and I will be performing the teenage Rock & Roll sex anthem “Summer Nights” from the play GREASE. Hell yeah I’m going to slick back my hair, squeeze into some tight jeans and collar up a motorcycle jacket. This show plays November 11th; details are on my tour page.

I know some of you know that I had a birthday the other day on October 10th. Thank you gang for all the birthday wishes, you’re so good to me. Well my B-day was pretty much a quiet day with Denise and the boys. We went to the movies and went to bed fairly early.

BUT! On Friday October 6th my awesome wife (the coolest girl in the world) threw me a huge surprise party. She had been planning this thing for 3 years; all my closest friends and family were there. (Hell I used to say to Denise that I have no friends because I had been on the road most of my life and I never see anybody anymore…was I wrong! Man I even got emails from Billy and Pat wishing me a HBD).

Denise and I and our good friends Christy and Mike Quierolo went for a beverage at our local watering hole, Rafters. I stepped through the doorway and heard this thunder cry “Surprise and happy muffled Birthday” and I almost shat myself from shock. What a great feeling knowing everyone in the room, I felt like “Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz” when she says, “You were there and you were there” in her dream that was so real. I love all you boys and girls so very much. So anyway there were these tables with vinyl records on them with my picture from the Sucker, Mr. Big days on them, with shiny confetti type stuff on the tables as well, an open bar, a larger than life cake shaped like an old microphone from the 40’s and 50’s (hmmmm sounds subliminal, nice touch ladies, lol). Denise put together a movie that chronicled my life and the gang (Christy, Traci, Mike, Ruth, Pam, Corey, Brittany, Gina, Don Ricco, April and my sister Joanie) did a parody of the video for “To be with you” called “Fondue with you” and it had me laughing with tears in my eyes. I want to put that video on the page it’s hilarious. Christy and her children Corey and Brittany’s performance of yours truly through the ages was uncanny, as well as Pam’s 1985 mullet and Ruth thinking that I was Rick Springfield, I applaud your over the top acting. Don Ricco needs work. And yes I am a fondue lover…come on, you get to hang with your friends, drink many bottles of good wine and dip your stick in the fry bucket. Yee-Haw baby!!!

So after that laugh fest was over there was this little film clip in the end with Denise Dylan and Jacob sitting in my little black sport’s car (I have had ”Sheila” since 92’; I bought her when Mr. Big made it to the Big leagues, she has been my faithful companion over the years). Well as my wife pointed out in the last film clip “It’s time for a change honey… now look out the restaurant window.” “Oh my
Stars”…yeah that’s what I wanted to say in front of all those lovely folks that came from miles away, but when I saw a 2006 liquid platinum Infiniti G35 sports coup with a gigantic silver bow on it staring at me from the parking lot…I dropped so many F-bombs, I am pretty darn sure everyone is convinced I live in a Trailer park. Sorry everybody, I get a bit emotional sometimes. Poor Sheila, I’m going to have to bid her a fond adieu (Fondue, get it). Well kids the night wasn’t over by any means, we all drove (uhm me a little faster than the others Hee-haw) to the 19 Broadway club to see Pat Gilles and his group Wonder-bread 5, Rock the Kasbah. Pat (Ex-Road Vultures) asked me to come up and sing a few tunes for fun, my band mates M.Chole, M. Holley, Denise on drums and Elena and April did an intoxicated version of my classic number #1 hit “To be or not to be liquored up on stage in front of a massive audience”. Oh well, we crawled over to the hotel next door. It was there that we partied the night away.

The cherry on top was when this waste case wanna be somebody special dude wanted to beat me up in the middle of the Hotel party because I was holding court and making everybody laugh (Go figure)…thanks for making it memorable Mr. Fight club!

Wow what a night, what a great life and what a great wife. I love you baby.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the next night I performed with Steve Miller on “Fly like an Eagle” at the TEC awards show (Kelly & Beate were there). Steve is the undisputed king of rock, rhythm & Blues; it was an honor for me to sing with him. I opened the show with “Dancin’ with my devils” backed up by Larry Batiste and his talented friends (incredibly talented musicians are the nicest people) and closed it with “Midnight hour” with help from Will Lee (Bass player elite and a great singer, Mr. Pickett would be proud).

“Youth has no age, we are all the same age inside”
-Pablo Picasso (my friend from the 3rd grade).

~E~

“ To be…. continued”

2006-10-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

October 9, 2006—San Francisco, CA—The engineers, sound editors and other talented audio professionals behind Universal’s Walk the Line, Rhino Entertainment’s Cream: Royal Albert Hall and Donald Fagen’s Morph the Cat, were among the many winners at the 22nd Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, held Saturday night at the Hilton San Francisco. In addition to 23 awards for Technical and Creative Achievement, the sell-out crowd saw legendary rocker Steve Miller receive the prestigious Les Paul Award—sponsored by Gibson Guitar Corp.—by virtuoso guitarist Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Remote recording engineer David Hewitt was inducted into the TEC Awards Hall of Fame by producer/engineers Ed Cherney and Elliot Scheiner. Highlighting the evening was Miller’s return to the stage to perform his platinum hit “Fly Like An Eagle” with Eric Martin, and a blues shuffle with Gibbons, backed by the 2Cold ChileBone TEC Band, led by Larry Batiste.

2006-05-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

Veteran rocker brings big sound to Novato fair
Jeff Burkhart
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Live: Eric Martin and his band will play at 3:15 p.m. June 11 at the Novato Festival of Art, Wine & Music. Provided by Denise Martin
Eric Martin was in line at his local San Rafael supermarket the other day buying milk for his twin 18-month-old sons. As the rock star/father stood there with his milk, diapers and Binkies, he heard the 1991 No. 1 hit song "To Be With You" by the band Mr. Big playing over the intercom.
"I'm looking around and I'm seeing people singing the words and getting them wrong," says Martin, with a chuckle.
He certainly should know, because Mr. Big was Martin's band and he wrote most of their hits, including that one.
"I made good a long time ago and I'm still making good," he says.
Martin, 47, really has made it good. He has been to the mountaintop of rock stardom, had a hit single, toured the world many times, sold more than a million records and done the MTV thing. Today, he is back where he started - fronting a band bearing his name and playing the kind of music he enjoys.
"I've come full circle," Martin says.
Martin and his wife of four years, Denise, played together in the Eric Martin Band for a couple of years. But they decided that it probably wasn't in the their best marital interests.
"We were rehearsing together, living together and playing together," Denise Martin says. "Something had to give."
"Drummers don't like to take direction from singers," she adds. "And even less from husbands."
Denise Martin was no nepotistic hire - she had played drums in the local band Yikes and recorded CDs with Susan Zelinsky and Merle Saunders. Currently, she splits time as a mother, Martin's part-time manager and playing drums with San Francisco singer/songwriter Kiff Gallagher.
"We're balancing parenthood and our rock bands," Eric Martin says.
Martin and his bandmates will appear June 11 at the Novato Festival of Art, Wine & Music. The two-day festival will feature Commander Cody, Junior Brown, American Drag, AC/Dshe, Asher & Paige, Solid Air, Swing Set, Borderline, Zoo Station and several local high school rock bands. In addition to the live music, downtown streets will be lined with arts and crafts tents and vendors serving gourmet treats, wine and beer.
Festival entertainment coordinator Dennis Hagerty has been booking music for the event since 1987. "I like to mix it up and not be predictable," he says. Past acts have included Lisa Loeb, Al Stewart, Jesse Colin Young, Greg Kihn, Marshall Crenshaw and Train.
"This year rocks more," Hagerty says. "Junior Brown (might be better known) for country music but he's also a smokin' guitarist."
American Drag, for instance, is straight-ahead rock with political overtones and some Marin ties: Singer/guitarist Monroe Grisman of Novato is the son of bluegrass mandolin legend David Grisman, a former Marin resident. For fans of "unplugged" music, three women featured in a March IJ Weekend story about "Marin's Songbirds" - Victoria George, Larkin Gayl and Amie Penwell - will be joined by San Marin High graduate Drew Gasparini in special acoustic sets June 10 starting at 11:45 a.m. (Gasparini will celebrate the release of his new CD with a show Friday at San Marin that will raise funds for the school's music program; log onto http://www.drewgasparini.com/ to learn more).
In the past Hagerty has liked to combine national touring acts with well-known local performers, and with Eric Martin he gets both.
Martin started his singing career in the late 1970s fronting the band 415 (named after Marin's area code). "We actually lived in Novato in a band house," he says.
The band opened for 1980s arena-rock heavyweights such as Billy Squire, Molly Hatchet, Journey and Foreigner. Eventually, 415 was signed to Elektra/Asylum records and its manager, rock svengali Herbie Herbert (who put Steve Perry in Journey and later managed Mr. Big) re-christened 415 as the Eric Martin Band.
"I got so much crap for a whole year from my band for that," Martin says.
The band performed for a couple of years before Martin returned to his solo career.
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He wrote a song with Neal Schon of Journey and, as luck would have it, a copy of that song found its way into the hands of Mike Varney, a Novato record producer and owner of Shrapnel Records.
"Eric was still headed in the pop direction," Varney says. "I knew Eric to be one of the best hard-rock vocalists in the world, even though this wasn't his focus at the time, I called him and suggested the idea of him putting together a band with Billy (Sheehan) and Paul (Gilbert)."
"Varney had the Midas touch," Martin says.
Sheehan, a bass player who played with David Lee Roth's band, convinced Martin to forget his solo career and focus on a band. It turned out to be the big break Martin needed. By 1988, Martin, Sheehan, Gilbert and Pat Torpey had formed the "supergroup" Mr. Big. Its second album, 1991's "Lean into It" yielded the hit "To Be With You," which reached the top of the charts in 12 countries. Mr. Big followed that success with six studio albums and six live CDs. All combined, its worldwide sales have topped the 7 million mark.
"Mr. Big was a great experience in my life," Martin says. "Our passports were filled with stamps. Because of the campaigning that I did with Mr. Big in Japan, it opened doors for me to play in Japan as a solo artist, too."
By 2002, the group, succumbing to bureaucratic regulations and communication breakdowns, did its "Farewell Tour."
While Mr. Big was winding down, Martin wrote and recorded several solo CDs, including "Pure," which covered his hits in an unplugged acoustic form, a format he revived recently at Mill Valley's Sweetwater Saloon. In early 2004, he recorded his most recent solo release "Destroy All Monsters."
Martin, though, was not quite done with the supergroup format. In late 2004, he joined a band fronted by Tak Matsumoto, a guitarist whose records have sold a combined 80 million copies in Japan.
"(Tak) wanted to have an American rock feel for his solo album," Martin says. With bassist and Sonoma resident Jack Blades (of Night Ranger fame) and drummer Chris Frasier (formerly with Steve Vai and Eddie Money), they formed the Tak Matsumoto Group or TMG.
"It was just a great experience," Martin says. "We had so much fun creating that record. We toured Japan, sold out shows, and the album went platinum."
Now, Martin has returned to his roots. In addition to playing with the new Eric Martin Band, he recently joined his former 415 band members for a reunion show at Petaluma's Mystic Theater. He also wrote and recorded a song for guitar legend Ronnie Montrose's upcoming CD, "10x10," a combination effort of Montrose's favorite singers that is due out later this year. There are nine other singers on the record, including longtime Marin resident Sammy Hagar and former Gamma and Robin Trower lead vocalist Davey Pattison of Novato.
"I really like what I'm doing now," Martin says. "I know that sounds clichŽd but I like singing and I like performing. I'm not in a hurry anymore, I'm pretty satisfied with where I'm at right now."
He is looking forward to playing the Novato festival. He says he has been to it several times to see bands play and is relishing the opportunity to appear in front of a hometown crowd. "It was kind of an honor for me to be asked," he says.
Starting at 3:15 p.m. June 11, Martin will be on stage with bassist Mark Chole, guitarist Mark Holley and drummer Matt Isola, who is temporarily filling in for Gigi Gonaway.
"There's no place like home," Martin says.