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Jammin' on the Porch September 8
The summer 2006 "Jammin' on the Porch" series will conclude with a concert of classic blues on Friday, September 8. Invite your whole family - pets welcome too! - and meet your friends. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and a picnic, or just a bottle of wine. Playing "guitar, harp, blues" music from 5:30 - 7:30 will be "Doctor Eric and Billy G"…that's Eric Heiligenstein and Bill Grover.
Bill Grover started playing "harp" (harmonica) in 1972. For years he played on his own and then began jamming with other musicians, developing virtuosity in various blues styles along the way. "Doctor Eric and Billy G." is the first band he's really committed to, and one that allows him to use each of the many harmonicas (at least one for each musical key) that fill his instrument case. Bill also travels with special audio equipment that is designed to soften and mellow the sound of the harmonica.
Guitarist Eric Heiligenstein had been playing classical guitar for years (and listening to the blues on the side), but when he saw blues musician John Hammond perform live, Eric knew he'd found what he wanted to do. Eric describes the blues as "the opposite of classical - totally improvisational, pliable, approachable and fun!" He likes the fact that each time a song is played, it sounds different - changes of lyrics or accompaniment are inevitable and keep these old songs fresh.
Friends for over 12 years now, Eric and Bill have been developing a repertoire of songs whose roots are in the depression era - mainly from the 1920's - 1940's but a few extend into the 1960's. They've been exploring the unique stylistic differences of blues music that are the result of geographic isolation, such as the Piedmont, Delta and urban styles, all of which will be represented in their "Jammin'" session.
In addition to his musical career, Bill is well known nationally as a potter/sculptor. His visual art will be on shown at Green Lantern Studios on High Street from October 20 through November 27 as part of their Fall Art Tour exhibition. Bill notes that since December 2005, when he moved to the rural Mineral Point home he designed, he has been enjoying his time in town, meeting a lot of friendly, open people and discovering the many aspects of this interesting, fun, and vibrant community.
Eric, who has lived in Madison for over 15 years (and really is a Doctor!), believes that the blues music that they'll present from the Gundry House porch is perfect for playing outdoors, with friends all around, and everyone relaxing at the start of their weekend.
"Jammin' on the Porch" is held at Orchard Lawn/the Gundry House (243 Madison Street, Mineral Point, WI). The grounds open at 5. There is no admission charge. Food and beverages are BYO - but don't forget the band! Eric and Billy will be playing for tips and drinks.
The "Jammin'" series was sponsored by the Mineral Point Historical Society with performances donated by the musicians. For more information call the Historical Society at 608-987-2884. You can also preview music by "Doctor Eric and Billy G" by visiting their website at doctorericandbillyg.com
- Mineral Point Democratic Tribune
Jammin' on the Porch September 8
The summer 2006 "Jammin' on the Porch" series will conclude with a concert of classic blues on Friday, September 8. Invite your whole family - pets welcome too! - and meet your friends. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and a picnic, or just a bottle of wine. Playing "guitar, harp, blues" music from 5:30 - 7:30 will be "Doctor Eric and Billy G"…that's Eric Heiligenstein and Bill Grover.
Bill Grover started playing "harp" (harmonica) in 1972. For years he played on his own and then began jamming with other musicians, developing virtuosity in various blues styles along the way. "Doctor Eric and Billy G." is the first band he's really committed to, and one that allows him to use each of the many harmonicas (at least one for each musical key) that fill his instrument case. Bill also travels with special audio equipment that is designed to soften and mellow the sound of the harmonica.
Guitarist Eric Heiligenstein had been playing classical guitar for years (and listening to the blues on the side), but when he saw blues musician John Hammond perform live, Eric knew he'd found what he wanted to do. Eric describes the blues as "the opposite of classical - totally improvisational, pliable, approachable and fun!" He likes the fact that each time a song is played, it sounds different - changes of lyrics or accompaniment are inevitable and keep these old songs fresh.
Friends for over 12 years now, Eric and Bill have been developing a repertoire of songs whose roots are in the depression era - mainly from the 1920's - 1940's but a few extend into the 1960's. They've been exploring the unique stylistic differences of blues music that are the result of geographic isolation, such as the Piedmont, Delta and urban styles, all of which will be represented in their "Jammin'" session.
In addition to his musical career, Bill is well known nationally as a potter/sculptor. His visual art will be on shown at Green Lantern Studios on High Street from October 20 through November 27 as part of their Fall Art Tour exhibition. Bill notes that since December 2005, when he moved to the rural Mineral Point home he designed, he has been enjoying his time in town, meeting a lot of friendly, open people and discovering the many aspects of this interesting, fun, and vibrant community.
Eric, who has lived in Madison for over 15 years (and really is a Doctor!), believes that the blues music that they'll present from the Gundry House porch is perfect for playing outdoors, with friends all around, and everyone relaxing at the start of their weekend.
"Jammin' on the Porch" is held at Orchard Lawn/the Gundry House (243 Madison Street, Mineral Point, WI). The grounds open at 5. There is no admission charge. Food and beverages are BYO - but don't forget the band! Eric and Billy will be playing for tips and drinks.
The "Jammin'" series was sponsored by the Mineral Point Historical Society with performances donated by the musicians. For more information call the Historical Society at 608-987-2884. You can also preview music by "Doctor Eric and Billy G" by visiting their website at doctorericandbillyg.com
- Mineral Point Democratic Tribune
Discography
Demo CD
Currently in studio for additional CD
Photos
Bio
Doc Eric's Biography
Eric Heiligenstein, M.D. was born in Belleville, Illinois. He has been involved in music and has had a love for the blues since his early years. 'The Doc' graduated from medical school in 1980 and is a practicing physician with national recognition. He has presented hundreds of professional lectures, national and international media interviews. He studied classical guitar for numerous years under such masters as Jaime Guiscafre. After watching a John Hammond concert performance in the mid 1990's he said to himself "I want to do that" and finally connected his love of blues music with his musical scholarship. From gut strings to steel, from Bach to Mississippi John Hurt it has been an education of both the hands and the heart.
Billy G's Biography
Born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Bill Grover has been a sculptor and musician all his life. Bill's clay sculpture has an honesty of form and interplay of vivid color that gives his pieces a strong and dynamic presence. His work is featured in several area galleries. Bill's works are elegant alone and harmonious in combination. This also describes his musical talents on the blues harp. He has jammed with a wide variety of local blue's men over the years. His style draws mainly from the straight ahead blues and boogie of Chicago's south side, and has been influenced by Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Taj Mahal and the rough and raw slide work of Hound Dog Taylor.
A skilled side man Billy G cuts loose on the breaks, likes to mess around and will rarely play it the same way twice.
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