Eric Branner

I am a singer songwriter/guitarist living in Seattle Washington. I grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia playing bluegrass and rock music. I studied classical guitar in college and had a short career as a concert classical musician. I was a prizewinner at the Northwest Guitar Competition, and have performed in masterclasses for the likes of David Russell.

After a few years of making my living as a classical guitarist, I began writing songs in the vein of Greg Brown and Iron and Wine, and performing in Seattle and around the country. I was featured at the Northwest Folklife Festival, and toured the west coast. I've written around one hundred songs, and have released two independent albums. My style influenced by finger pickers like Fahey and Hendrix and songwriters like Dylan and Greg Brown. I love fingerstyle and flatpicking... acoustic and electric guitars.

In addition to performing, I have a passion for teaching music. I founded the Blackforrestmusic School in Seattle, and I've taught at Holy Names Academy. I wrote the Blackforrest Music Guitar Companion, released in 2012. My grandfather was a concert classical pianist, and a high school band leader,... I guess it runs in the family.

I play guitars by Ron Kirn and Rockbridge. I live with my awesome wife Alyson, my kids Edie and Huck,.. and a huge german shepherd named Cannon.