Eric Noden
"Noden's bare bones approach is refreshing, timeless and a
completely enjoyable listen."
---Buddy Guy's Legends Bluesletter
History
Born in 1969 in Ravenna Ohio, Eric has spent most
of his life listening to and performing roots music. Eric's was influenced
greatly by his grandfather, a folk and country singer from Turtle Creek,
Pennsylvania and his father, who plays guitar. At age eight, after hearing
his father play songs by Mississippi John Hurt, Eric was inspired to pick
his first instrument the guitar. Over the years Eric met and learned from
many blues and folk musicians in Northeast Ohio including fingerstyle
blues expert Andy Cohen. Eric also learned a great deal from his father's
record collection which included recordings by Fred McDowell,
Lightning Hopkins, Leo Kottke and Reverend Gary Davis. It was through
local musicians and these records that Eric developed his unique style
of fingerpicking guitar.
At 19 Eric joined an African-American gospel group based out of Diamond, Ohio named the Golden Wonders. With the Wonders Eric performed in many storefront and rural churches in Northeast Ohio. Eric played rhythm guitar with the group for a year and absorbed the raw gospel singing and guitar playing into his own style.
In 1995 Eric moved to Chicago, Illinois to pursue
performing opportunities and soak up the blues sounds of the city.
Here Eric has performed with many local blues artists including Billy
Boy Arnold, Erwin Helfer and Devil In A Woodpile. Additionally Eric has
taught classes in fingerstyle blues guitar and jug band music at the renowned
Old Town School of Folk music. In Chicago Eric has become a regular performer
at Blues and Roots venues including the Chicago Blues Festival, House
of Blues, Buddy Guy's Legends and the Chicago Historical Society. Eric's
Debut CD "55 Highway" featuring music by Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy
and Jim Brewer received favorable reviews from both national and international
press.
Sound
Eric accompanies his rugged voice with driving steel string guitar and
barrelhouse piano. The sound reflects Eric's travels through Cleveland,
Chicago, Mississippi and Memphis and New Orleans. Eric has immersed himself
in the music, history and sheer emotional power of old-school blues and
roots music. Eric's guitar playing and singing capture the spirit of barrelhouse
blues artists who recorded 78 rpm records for labels like Paramount and
Vocalion in the 20's and 30's. Mixing original material, traditional blues,
and ragtime instrumentals, Eric offers a captivating and energetic show.
Click here to see video of Eric's performance of "Feels so Good" as it appeared on HoundDog #7.
Click here to see video of Eric's performance of "Drink Muddy Water" as is appeared on HoundDog #6.
Click here to see video of Eric's performance of "Alabama Bound" as is appeared on HoundDog #6.