Eric Stiener

Playing in heavy metal and punk bands during his youth was just the recipe for south side Chicago blues clubs in adulthood. Ultimately, the Robert Cray, Roy Buchanan, and Buddy Guy records given to him by Uncle Craig made their way to his ears and expanded his world. Eric's friend, Steve Hartley, scored him a gig on the south side with Jack Keslin, and he's been part of that blues circuit ever since. Highlights include gigs with Doug MacDonald and Killer Ray Allison at the Sunset Lounge on 159th, Buddy Guy's Legends and the Chicago Blues Fest with Little Al Thomas, and Kingston Mines and Famous Dave's with Byther Smith. Playing the blues has always been his "gig motif", save a year or two with the Dan Darrah band (another Steve Hartley connection that led to gigs at House of Blues, the Cubby Bear and the weekly Joy Blue), and the Lillith Fair Tour with Lori Amey, but recording his own music has always been his passion. One goal; never record anything (for public consumption at least) that he couldn't play for his grandma. As with every aspect of his life, tremendous time and effort go into every song to share a piece of his heart with others. Each song has required years to evolve, especially in the midst of the birth of his two amazing daughters, building a recording studio and living a compulsion to fix up everything that crosses his path.(That was written by my beautiful wife)The truth is, I have replaced my once busy gig schedule with a now busy recording schedule. It has taken me ten years to write 15 decent songs with my recording partner, Steve Pinelli, that have yet to reach final, mastered form. I have yet to quit my day job, so I hope to finish the record before I'm eligible for Social Security. Over the last two years I have been honing my production and mixing skills on some great local artists such as bassist Scott Pazera, pianist Pete Remm, Kinsey Report guitarist Nick Byrd, prolific songwriter Brian Clark, and too many cover bands to mention. My studio has just been updated to Logic Pro 8 and it is changing the way I write, create, and record. Many new tunes are on their way. Thanks for stopping by and listening.