As the anticipatory buzz builds to just this side of impatience, the
headliner takes the stage. From the moment he does, he has the audience
eating out of his hand. Women shout his name and toss out song
requests. Males and females sing along word for word as the tight
six-piece backing combo feeds off the audience's vibe.
Judging by this scenario, you might think a superstar was getting busy
onstage. But the performer is singer/songwriter Eric Roberson. For fans
of the independent soul scene, Roberson -- who has four releases out
through his Blue Erro Soul label -- is every bit a high-profile crowd
pleaser as a Prince, Usher or Mary J. Blige.
Through his publishing deal with EMI Music, Roberson has had his songs
covered by Dwele, Musiq, Vivian Green and Will Downing. Like many of
his indie peers, he also operates his own recording studio.
Reached through a mailing list that numbers in the thousands,
Roberson's ERF (Eric Roberson Family) Web devotees are known to travel
substantial distances to see him in concert. At his Little Temple Bar
show, a female fan came in from Chicago. Another drove from South
Carolina to attend a D.C. show.
"I pretty much stay on the road doing between eight and 11 shows a
month," says Roberson. "You do the best show you can, and then you stay
out there, sign CDs, hug everyone you can and thank them."
--Billboard Magazine '06
Links:
Lyrical Thoughts on Eric Roberson's "Just A Dream"
Official Website
Eric Roberson on Myspace
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