Pittsboro, NC (Top40 Charts/ Marketing Technology Group) Eric Sommer makes a yearly appearance in Pittsboro, NC on Mother's Day. There are no stage lights, no door man, no long lines and no tickets. There are only 100 or so fans who gather yearly on this Special Day to hear this master songwriter, poet, story-teller and jaw-dropping ace guitar player do what he does better than almost anybody.
This show covers all the bases from folk to a little
Boston punk... and everything in between. It is relaxed, ambles along and then serves up some of the most breath-taking guitar work imaginable - slide, finger-style, open-tunings, lap slap... all bases covered.
And there is a reason this in-demand national touring artist and top player shows up every year - his Mom and Dad live in the Village and although they are now somewhere in their 90's, this show started out for them and evolved into a whole community event.
Adding to this weekend will be a Saturday show at The Station in Carrboro, NC. This is an early show and offers local audiences a chance to see Mr. Sommer in a familiar setting. This is also the red-hot epicenter of the Carrboro-Chapel Hill music scene, and what keeps the scene so fresh and vibrant is a visit from the likes of Eric Sommer once or twice a year.
Eric started his musical career in the
Boston area and has been a regular player on many national tours and showcases. His influences are as diverse as Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Steve Howe and The Ramones. Mr. Sommer's current project with power trio "The Solar Flares" shake up Chet Atkins and
David Bromberg influences with those of
ZZ Top and
Elvis Costello - a remarkable mix.
With open tunings, slide guitar, lap-slap tone guitar and a remarkably aggressive fingering style approach, watching Eric Sommer will make you jump out of your seat and holler for joy! There are very few players who have maintained this authentic American style of guitar and Eric Sommer is one of the very best.
A new show has been added for May 11 at The Station in Carrboro, NC.