“Jerardi’s style, talent, and vocals remind me of John Hiatt.”
— The Toledo Blade
As the October 30 release of Eric Jerardi’s new album The Game approaches, the record continues to build momentum—and The Toledo Blade is taking notice.
In a new review by Toledo Blade TOM HENRY, The Blade calls The Game “a dandy” and describes Jerardi as:
“A gritty-yet-polished singer-songwriter with authentic, road-weary texture in his voice.”
It’s a fitting description for an album that finds Jerardi digging deeper than ever before.
Across The Game, the veteran singer, songwriter and guitarist explores the experiences that change us with age—the loss of parents, siblings and friends, unresolved grief, mortality, friendship and the realization that time becomes increasingly precious.
The review draws a particularly notable comparison:
“Jerardi’s style, talent, and vocals remind me of John Hiatt.”
For an artist who has spent decades building his own voice, sound and body of work, the comparison speaks to something at the heart of The Game: great musicianship is only part of the story. The songs have to mean something.
The Blade also praises Jerardi as a guitarist who connects with listeners through “rich ballads that offer insight into life.”
That storytelling is everywhere on The Game.
“A Man Ain’t a Man Until His Father Dies” confronts the impact of losing a father.
“One More Setting Sun” is a deeply personal farewell inspired by the death of a friend from pancreatic cancer.
“Hard Being Here” reaches back to the unresolved grief Jerardi still carries from losing his only brother in 1988.
And throughout the record, the guitar playing that has long defined Jerardi’s career serves the songs rather than overshadowing them.
The result is an album that feels lived-in rather than manufactured.
As Jerardi writes in the album’s liner notes:
“When friends and loved ones start passing away, and you have fewer days in front of you than behind — things change.”
That perspective may be what ultimately separates The Game from a traditional blues-rock record.
It is an album about what remains when the noise disappears.
Family. Friendship. Loss. Love. Regret. Humor. Time.
And the songs we leave behind.
WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING
“A gritty-yet-polished singer-songwriter with authentic, road-weary texture in his voice.”
— The Toledo Blade
“Jerardi’s style, talent, and vocals remind me of John Hiatt.”
— The Toledo Blade
“Rich ballads that offer insight into life.”
— The Toledo Blade
“His guitar solo is all soulfulness and feel.”
— Rock & Blues Muse
“Expressive and gritty, his vocal couldn’t be better.”
— Rock & Blues Muse
Eric Jerardi’s The Game arrives October 30, 2026, on Alternator Records / Niche Records.