Marc Tonglen, Nederland. Eric Richard Stone has been a stalwart contributor to the Nederland music community for many years, and continues to sing for us today. Having played his first show in the area back in the 1990s, one might say that Stone is a grizzled troubadour pro. This of course is stated in the best of ways, because it takes strength and courage to persevere as a musical artist in today’s TikTok attention span world. Choosing the creative path, is not for the faint of heart.

Stone’s story is one which harkens back to a wellspring of real-world experience. As he kindly explains a bit of backstory, “What happened between then and now could best be described as Life. I got married, went to grad school, had a career as a wildlife biologist and natural resource manager, raised three children, lost my job, got divorced, and turned to music again. Now, 37 years and six albums later, I am just hitting my stride. Sometimes the songwriting trickles out, and other times it gushes like a swollen mountain stream in spring-melt runoff.”

Stone composes in a way that might be best described as a balladeering approach to traditional forms. His style evolves from the Bluegrass, Folk and Americana realms.  His June 2020 release, After the Storm, was produced by StrangeByrds front-man Ray Smith of Nederland. His latest album, Just Before Dawn, was written and recorded at home during the modern Covid age. One might say that it paints a vivid picture in a sparse but passionate musical landscape. It was released in October 2020 and is available for purchase at Brightwood Music.

Speaking of Brightwood Music, Eric is often found working behind the register and communing with local patrons when local legend, Doug Armitage is in need of a day off. He’s been honing his lutherie skills over the years and has quite a hand for instrument repairs. His presence at Brightwood is part of what makes the store such a gem and cultural hub for our local community. 

Stone also performs a monthly gig when nature allows at the Very Nice Brewing Company, so keep an eye out. As the snow begins to melt and the sun begins to warm the soil, he will surely be performing there again.

As far as touring goes, Eric has been collaborating over the past several years with longtime friend Tom Hall and has built an ensemble known as Eric Richard Stone & The Witness Protection Program. A clip of their music can be found in The Mountain-Ear Podcast – Everybody’s Listening, so be sure to become part of that everybody and take a listen today. 

For more information on Eric Richard Stone logon to www.ericrichardstone.com, yet the best way to stay connected is just to come on out and hear him play. The Eric Richard Stone experience is definitely one worth delving into.

(Originally published in the March 18, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)