Bewilderbeast FREE

About Bewilderbeast

Hello. My name is Eric Nelson. I'm a singer/guitar player from Red Oak, Iowa who has written and performed music in the Midwest for the past ten years. I've played bars, coffee houses, private parties and large outdoor venues ranging from 50 to 1,000 people. I've played and recorded with various artists over the years, but I'm excited to announce the release of my first solo acoustic album, "BEWILDERBEAST."

This album has a distinct modern edge and best represents my overall sound. It also reflects some of my biggest acoustic influences such as, Paul Simon, Jim Croce and Cat Stevens. As for modern influences, I enjoy listening to Jack Johnson, Matt Costa and Norah Jones to name a few. Judging by audience feedback I'm confident and thankful that the album is appealing to audiences ranging from young teens to baby-boomers.

Now that my sales pitch is out of the way I'll tell you a little bit about when and how a became fixated with music. I started playing guitar at age 15. That was in the mid 80's when all the guitarists I knew were spending all day trying to figure out the shredding leads of Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Slash or any of the other rock and metal Gods of that era. In the early 90's I pretty much bypassed the Grunge scene and started getting reacquainted with the music roots I grew up with.

My parents graduated in the late 60's. My dad had already been playing bass and touring in an eight-piece rock band for a couple of years. I remember playing on the living room floor while he rattled the windows with the rock Gods of his era. Guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Of course he also would mellow out with some Neil Young, Bob Dylan or Jim Croce.

Through my childhood I spent a lot of summers with my grandparents. They were diehard country music fans. Some nights when my grandpa would go to work, my grandma would drink warm Milwaukee's Best Light and make me sing along to the records of Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and George Jones. When I was 13 they took me to Memphis and Nashville. I was forever changed by that trip. It was the first time I remember feeling a part of live music. I absorbed every bit of Beale Street and the Grand Ole Opry that I could.

These are the people who give me a sturdy foundation in music. Working with other artists has been another support beam for me. Seeing them releasing a new album and going on the road is inspiring and makes you feel like you have to be at the top of you're game and do even better. The best part is that it's not a competition. Everybody enjoys each other's success. I've been fortunate to work with a lot of talented and humble artists thus far.

Finally, the forces that drive me most are my family and friends. They are the one's who inspire the best material to write about. They are also the only people I can count on time and time again.

I hope you enjoy my album.