If it’s true that an artist’s job is to captivate us for however long they have asked for our attention no one has looked away from Eric Erdman since he first took the stage to front a band. Maybe that is because there is nothing between Eric and his audience, between Eric and the world. He lets it all in and what comes back is a poet’s soul in a troubadour’s voice.

Face to face with the crowds, singing of the challenges facing the youth, the country, and the heartbroken have fueled four albums, constant touring that included three international USO shows, and only seared in Eric’s need to write about

what he sees, what he feels. He’s penned a theme song for a nationally televised show, produced every genre from big band to country because you can’t pigeonhole a true artist. You can’t slow them down. He hears what a song should

sound like before it’s really a song. Actor Bruce Greenwood speaks of Eric’s inspiration that makes the musicians on his projects “as emotionally involved” as he is, his guitar work, “stunning and specific” pulling the listener “inside the song”.

His new record gives us something to think about and something to feel. While that’s not unusual from an Eric Erdman project it does seem to have brought together everything he does and knows well, offering us even deeper insight into ourselves and others and Eric.

It’s not like we don’t know him.