S Eric Ketzer
S. Eric Ketzer has been performing as a poet and singer/songwriter since 1993. He began on the coffee house circuit of San Diego and came of age in the Midwest clubs near St. Louis. After years of fronting successful regional bands, Eric Ketzer experiment (Eke) and Whiskey Daydream, Eric returned to his roots in 2007 and started playing solo again.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Since he began performing, Eric has recorded and released 6 full length CDs: 3 solo, 2 with the EKe, and 1 with Whiskey Daydream. His credits include making it to the Final 5 of the “Best Bands You are Not Currently Listening To” contest, which was a national contest ran by the WB (now CW) TV Station. As the only solo performer, he took 2nd place in the Cal State San Marco Battle of the Bands. His bands have finished second in 4 separate battle of the bands (always the best man, never the groomLOL). He has been features on several TV shows, including Show Me St. Louis, The Set, The Acoustic Cafe, The Acoustic Bean, and Midwest Music Explosion. His songs have been played on local, regional, and international radio. "Been Down," which was on EKe's "reality of monday morning" CD, was the most requested sound 2 weeks in a row in Sidney, Australia.
Eric has performed at every major venue in the St. Louis region including the Pageant, Mississippi Night, Blueberry Hill, Cicero's, Lucas School House, etc., as well as held down monthly shows at Ten Mile House for years. Currently, he is focusing on smaller, intimate, venues, such as House Concerts and will play anywhere the road takes him. To date he has played in: Arizona Arkansas, California, D.C., Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
As much as I can, and I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't play live. I crave it more than sex.
Your musical influences
Ryan Adams, Jeff Buckley, Jay Farrar, John Mayer, Edwin McCain, Damien Rice, Duncan Sheik, Tom Waits, Donald Williams, Rob Woerther, Afgan Wigs, the Allman Brothers, Centro-matic, and Drive by Truckers.
What equipment do you use?
Electrics: '74 Guild Starfire, K-Line Custom Tele, Epi Sheraton II,
(Eric endorses Vintage Vibe Guitar pickups)
Acoustics: Taylor 412, Taylor 410ce
Harmonicas: Mostly Hohners with a Hohner Blues Blaster Mic.
Amps: Clara/V-Verb (custom), Fender/Blues Junior
Effects: Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2, Visual Sounds Route 66, Budda Bud-Wah+, Carl Martin Two Faze, Voodoo Lab Tremolo, Roctron Vertigo Vibe, Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, Digitech DigiVerb, Fender Tuner, Whirlwind Amp Selector, and Boss RC-50 Loop Station.
Anything else?
I am really interested in performing at House Concerts, so if you would like host a house concert, let me know.
