Here's a link for a Times Union article about my new record and release party. In the days after the concert, “fermata” will become available on streaming services like Apple Music and so forth.
Big Doings in Eckland
I was recently nominated for three Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards, and “brought home the hardware” on April 30 for Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year, an accolade I share with Saratoga’s Drank the Gold, which means we’ll have to collaborate again soon—yay! Big congratulations to Oona Grady and James Gascoyne.
“your turn to shine” was reviewed in Chronogram— https://www.chronogram.com/arts/album-review-michael-eck-your-turn-to-shine-17998506
And I’ve announced a new solo gig, May 20, listed in the Appearances section of this website!
New album to celebrate "40 Years in Live Music"
I'll be celebrating "40 years in Live Music" with a special show at my spiritual home,Caffe Lena, 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. I'm so excited to be joined by my children for a few songs. At the gig, I'll be releasing a new album, "your turn to shine: new songs—live at WEXT. Physical copies will be available at the gig and upcoming shows. It's available for purchase digitally now at Amazon, iTunes and the like.
Michael Eck joins the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame
What a genuine thrill. In early June—in advance of my 40th Anniversary in Live Music—I was inducted, as part of an incredible class including Sara Ayers, Greg Bell, Brooks Brown, Greg Haymes, Joel Moss, Rich Ortiz and Super 400, into the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame. What an incredible honor, and what great company.
Paul Rapp gave an introductory speech; Tom Lindsay played a Ramblin Jug Stompers’ tune for Greg Haymes’ and Steve Candlen played one of my songs. Wow!
Here’s a link to the Michael Eck video that was created for the event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMkbyKvDP-E
And here’s link to great photos of the special night:
https://theeddiesawards.com/?page_id=3332
Special thanks to Jim Murphy and Kelly Aurrichio for all their work. Please be sure to check out www.lostradiorounders.com and the Good Things Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GoodThingsNY) for other gigs I’ll be playing before my solo 40th Anniversary in Live Music show, Sunday. Sept 25 at Caffe Lena: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michael-eck-40th-anniversary-tickets-355187815317
Photo by Lori Van Buren: Courtesy Albany Times Union
Still thinking ...
... of Greg Haymes
Michael Eck is a Signature Artist with Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments
Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments
I've been working with the great folks at Two Old Hippies in Bend Oregon for over a year now. I blog for them about the great work being done by Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments, Breedlove Guitars and Bedell Guitars. These instruments are incredible. I know, because I'm playing them, too.
Here's a pic with my Yellowstone oval hole, which features a facsimile of my left hand tattoo on the headstock. My pal Richard Lovrich—what a talent!—stylized the tattoo and also took the photo (you'll see his work elsewhere on this site, too).
Where I'm Calling From
I'm just beginning work for a thrilling new project—writing a series of songs based on the works of Raymond Carver. As a young man in the 1980s, Carver left a strong mark on me. As part of a continuing series at the Albany Public Library, I will be spending much of the next few months knee deep in Carver country, guitar in hand. I've already written a brace of songs about John Steinbeck's "East of Eden" for Sarah Clark and her great team at APL. Also penned a handful of murder ballads based on actual Albany crimes throughout the years. Glad to be partnering again for this, tentatively titled "Signals: Songs from Raymond Carver."