Eric Keller

Haunting melodies, percussive rhythms, and ear opening phrases flow through Eric’s guitar when he plays his original pieces. Listeners often remark that it sounds as if there are multiple musicians present during his enchanting solo performances. The mood ranges from trance-like to explosive, and each composition is just as varied. His fingerstyle playing utilizes an intuitive knowledge of many alternate and open tunings, and is flavored by a variety of styles including Blues, Jazz, Celtic, Bluegrass, Classical and rock.

Eric was born in the San Francisco Children’s Hospital in 1976. His childhood was spent exploring the dry yellow hills of the Bay Area. When he was twelve his family moved to suburban New Jersey his new refuge became the guitar, and the heavy metal that inspired him to pick up the instrument. Eric could be found easily in his house. By following the adolescent plucking of Metalica’s ‘Sanitarium’ or Guns n’ Roses ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ blasted through a Dean Markley amp, one would come to the door of a room. If the door was opened a child, short for his age, full of braces, donning a one foot curly mullet would, not so politely, ask reason for the interruption. It was a funny start for someone who is now an exclusively acoustic player.

Eric spent his high school years in New Jersey. This proximity to New York City opened his eyes wide to a variety of music. Keller’s parents took him to an Allman Brothers concert when he was 15 at the Beacon. The tight melodies and harmonies, the volume and the light show left him inspired. He sought more live music experiences. With a fake ID in hand Eric would frequent Jazz clubs smiling, staring and a sponge. The summers were spent with his long time friend and fellow guitarist Michael Cummings following music throughout the northeast.

Eric was first introduced to fingerstyle guitar in his second year of his first college. He had the fortune of learning the basics of right hand technique from Peabody graduate and college instructor Jim Flood (who had the fortune of studying under Manuel Barruecco). Eric was more interested in writing than reproducing, but the classical lessons opened up new doors for his true passion.

After formative years in the east Eric eventually realized his longing for western landscapes and moved to Bozeman, Montana. For a year he delivered pizzas and cooked breakfast at a truck-stop diner. During this time Eric began to understand his love and talent for the guitar. He decided he wanted music and the guitar to be a more serious part of his life, so another change was made.

1997 found Eric back in college, this time at Appalachian State in Boone North Carolina. He moved back east to pursue a Music program. During auditions his hands were visibly shaking and he was rejected. This was a heartbreaking setback, but it did not deter Keller from writing. Boone introduced Eric to some of the most incredible acoustic musicians on the planet. Doc Watson lived 10 miles down the road from the log cabin on Snake Mountain where Eric lived for six years. The folk legend would play at local schools and festivals, and Eric would attend every chance he had. Banjo players became a huge influence on Eric’s style at this time. Bela Fleck frequented the area, as did Tony Trischka and other bluegrass legends. The Larry Keel Experience, Acoustic Syndicate, and Tony Furtado also visited the Western mountains of North Carolina. Perhaps no influence was greater at this time than those of local musicians and friends. Snake Oil Medicine Show and all of their manifestations were consistently performing their nuclear style of original acoustic music in the area. Hearing these brilliant performers on a regular basis opened Eric’s ears to new and unusual possibilities of acoustic music. When not immersing himself in local and visiting talent, Keller studied jazz guitar with instructor Andy Page. He also helped start a couple of bands. His first band in the area, Formula, consisted of players from the ASU music school; Johnny Grubb on bass and Sean Stover on drums. Along with Trevor Treveille, a very talented keys and guitar player, the group created some unique and inspired electrified pieces. Johnny later went on to become the bass player in the touring jam-grass band Railroad Earth. In 2000 Keller found a roommate in Matt Parker. Matt played some of the most fearsome acoustic guitar instrumentals Eric had ever heard. He became a great inspiration and friend to Keller. Matt’s technique was both percussive and melodic. Eric’s speedy finger rolls and solid writing complimented Matt’s style. The two started a band named The Brand New Elders with their fellow roommate Michael Stam. They wrote music day in and day out in that cabin on Snake Mountain, and performed at local venues.

After Eric graduated in 2001 he moved to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It was here that his solo ar