Hey there:

This is what I’m up to…

- I’m taking guitar lessons from the fabulous Rolly Brown.  I want to be able to improvise and arrange songs with fingerstyle guitar work like some of my favorite songwriter-guitar players: Chris Smither, Bill Morrissey, Amos Lee.

- I’m in the process of finishing touches, and final mixes, for my 2012 recording “Everything is Great” with my producer and songwriter friend Joe Crookston.

- I’m learning new songs with Annie Donahue for “The Annie Show” at Barrington Coffeehouse on March 31.  I’ll open the show, and accompany Annie.

- I’m writing two custom songs for “Custom Songs by Erik” that will be done this Spring.  I’ll record them with Annie Donahue and Jimmy Heffernan.

Stay tuned for more about music, shows and recordings…
Best regards,
Erik

Happy New Year!

the latest news….

I’m in the mixing stage of my latest recording.  The CD title will be “Everything Is Great” — that’s a song I wrote with Annie Donahue.  I hope to get it mastered, then do the artwork and duplication soon… and have the CDs in hand by Summer.  Here’s where you help: Buy my music on iTunes or CDBaby, or over here at ItsAboutMusic, my favorite place for you to get my music… aside from a show.

Speaking of…
- Sat., March 31: “The Annie Show, with that guy Erik opening” — at the Barrington Coffeehouse, Barrington, NJ
- Sat., April 21: Erik Balkey & Annie Donahue duo show — Philadelphia Folksong Society House concert, Warminster, PA
- Fall: House Concert (date and location TBA) in the Philadelphia area.
- Fri and Sat., November 2 & 3: “The Annual Double Header” — hometown show at Barrington Coffeehouse.

New recorded music soon.
Stay warm,
Peace, love and music,
Erik

Annie and I had fun doing our show at Luloo’s in Oaklyn, NJ for the holidays.  Would you like to have some of our holiday recordings?  Just ask.

Next show is for Valentine’s Day and is on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Also coming up is “The Annie Show” featuring my partner Annie Donahue at The Barrington Coffeehouse on Saturday, March 31.

Peace, Love, Joy
And music,
Erik

Hello friends…

Annie Donahue and I will be doing a show this Sunday, Decmeber 18.  It is at the NEW Studio Luloo space at 215 W. Clinton Ave, Oaklyn, NJ.

We’ll be doing some 1/3 original songs that we wrote, 1/3 covers like “Kathy’s Song” (Paul Simon), and NEW 1/3 Seasonal Songs… some original, a bunch of covers.

Admission is $15 and you can call 856.428.4444 to reserve.  It’s a nice venue, not too big, holds 60 comfortably.  We’ll only be selling 60 tickets, so call in advance if you want to come.

Peace, Love and Joy,
Erik

I’m doing an opening set with Annie Donahue at the Landsdowne Folk Club on Decmeber 1. David Jacob-Strain and Bob Beach are headlining.

Concerts take place in Lansdowne’s 20th Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance $18 at the door. Home baked goodies and hot drinks are sold downstairs in our Cafe.

Contact: lfc.org@rcn.com or bob@bobbeach.net or 610.622.7250

I’m enjoying learning to find and sing harmony.  Annie now sings lead on “If I Go, I’m Goin’” and “Flowers” and I’m singing harmony.  It’s a lot of fun.  And, Annie picked up the mandolin in my apartment and blew off the dust.  Look out!  It’s a lot of fun growing and learning in music, and to see all the possibilities in the duo.  Songwriting is also shifting to suit the duo, and it’s fun writing with different results in mind.  New songs like “Everything Is Great” and “All You Want” are examples.

Hear new songs live…
duo – Erik and Annie in Philadelphia, Sun., Oct. 16
solo – Erik in Annapolis on Mon., Oct. 17
duo – Erik and Annie on the Internet, Weds., Oct. 26
duo – Erik and Annie on the Gene Shay show on WXPN, Sun., Oct. 30
duo – Erik and Annie at Studio LuLoo in Oaklyn, NJ on Tues., Nov. 2
duo – Erik and Annie at Burlap and Bean in Newtown Square, PA on Thurs., Nov. 3
trio – Erik and Annie and Joe Crookston in Barrington, NJ on Fri. and Sat., Nov. 4 and 5.

I’m playing a Salon show in Philadelphia this Sunday night, October 16, with nine other acts including the super fine Tom Gala, a Philadelphia legend.  Email me for information if you’d like to go.

On Monday night, October 17, I’ll be sharing the stage with David Glaser at 49 West in Annapolis, MD.  It’s his 12 Voices series, and I’m honored to be featured.  The show starts at 7:30, tickets are $12, and the address is 49 West Street, Annapolis, MD.

COMING UP:
My annual hometown weekend!!!
November 4 and 5
Erik Balkey with Annie Donahue and Joe Crookston
at the Barrington Coffeehouse
Barrington, NJ
Tickets $15, advance reservations recommended
call 856.573.7800, or
go to the music schedule on their website for online ticket purchase

The Barrington show is my big night of the year.  It’s the only show I do in South Jersey, my home, all year.  Come celebrate with me, Annie and Joe in the best little music coffeehouse that could!

See you there
Erik

Saturday, Oct. 8, 7pm
Chapin Hall
Rocky Hill Congregational Churc, UCC
805 Old Main St., Rocky Hill, CT
$10 admission
Sharing songs, stories and flat out lies
With Phil Henry, Kate Callahan, and Liz Reed-Swale

We have been having fun singing harmony, and playing guitars.  So, if you see us at the open mic, we’re likely trying songs out.  Lots of fun! Annie Donahue and I will also be booking some shows, and are excited to play songs for song lovers.

Update: recording will start in July with Joe Crookston.  Joe is a knockout writer and truly compelling performer who has been one of the top new names in the Folk Scene for the past couple years.  He’s a good friend, and it’s been fun working on songs in preparation for the recording.  Stay tuned…

Music and love,
Erik

I had fun last night at Grazie! in Wexford with Jack Knight.  Thanks Jack!  Tonight we hit the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox, PA at 7pm

Tomorrow a.m. me and Annie do a live interview and performance — The Saturday Light Brigade radio with larry Berger.  Streaming here: www.slbradio.org

Then, me and Annie and my Dad and his friend from grade school hit the Pirates Phillies game!  Nice.

Sunday morning we get up early and head to Indiana!  Indiana, PA, that is:
- 8am on WIUP radio with host Jim Rogers
- 9am on WCCS with host Anthony Fraizer

Monday I’ll het an open mic as the feature – Club Cafe in Pittsburgh at 7pm

And, Tuesday night I am the feature at the Calliope Song Circle, Bloomfield Br. Tavern

Best regards,
Erik