Eric Jerardi's NEW ALBUM "OCCUPIED" REVIEWED

Well, we are in the first stage of a long record promotion.  Getting our first reactions back.  Here is the first official review on the album:

Midwest Record Entertainment

Chicago, Illinois - 02/16/19 

ERIC JERARDI/Occupied: Just because it was Holy Modal Rounders who said good taste is timeless doesn't mean it's not so. Don't you just hate the haters that proclaim something out of date? From the opening horn riff, this set is unmistakably Muscle Shoals and how can that ever be out of date? Taking blue eyed soul to the max, Jerardi blows the roof off the sucker with the help of the classic Swampers that are still up for it and those who have drunk the local waters and became imbued with the natch. If someone could slip a copy of this to Van Morrison, Caledonia soul would be back on top of his menu. Killer stuff throughout. – Chris Spector
(Niche) 

http://midwestrecord.com/MWR1485.html


Eric Jerardi featured on Blues Magazine Radio Show

Blues Magazine has become a leading online magazine with thousands of visitors from the Netherlands and Belgium daily, but also many enthusiasts from countries such as Germany, England, France and America have found their way to Blues Magazine. Besides the internet site, Blues Magazine is also active on social media, especially Facebook and Twitter.

Every week you hear a rich offer of the most beautiful blues and the coolest blues rock, with many brand new releases as you are used to every week from Blues Magazine Radio and Blues Magazine Radio Weekend Blues.

THIS WEEKS PLAYLIST | BLUES MAGAZINE RADIO # 41 - 05 February 2019

01 – Bjørn Berge – Lost Pearl
02 – Eric Gales – With A Little Help From My Friend (feat. Beth Hart)
03 – Barrelhouse – Hard Time Killing Floor
04 – Blues Company – Ain’t Givin’ Up
05 – Bad Temper Joe – Bury Me Anyplace But Mississippi
06 – The Good, The Bad And The Blues – It’s Raining
07 – Brother Snakeoil And The Medicine Men – Jack Of All Trades
08 – Eric Jerardi – Don’t Take It Personally
09 – Rival Sons – Feral Roots
10 – Kerri Powers – Bicycle Man
11 – Mercy John – Come Over Tonight

https://www.bluesmagazine.nl/pinguin-blues-magazine-radio-41-05-februari-2019/



"DO RIGHT BY HIM" MUSIC VIDEO

"I could not be more proud or excited about the release of this video.  It really is a small film, the way they used to make videos.  It's so much easier to do a faux live performance or an in-the-studio video, but this has a story line and is visually stunning.  Working with director Allen Farst over the past 25 years and watching him grow as a film maker is pretty cool to say the least.  I'm certain he feels the same for me, or he wouldn't be all in on this project.  Enjoy!"

ERIC JERARDI, OFFICIAL BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR CLARENDELLE, INSPIRED BY HAUT-BRION

"How cool is this, the world's greatest Bordeaux producer, Chateau Haut-Brion and everything that comes with it has decided to jump on board to support the release of my new record "Occupied".  The wines of Clarendelle, inspired by Haut-Brion are extraordinary;  I couldn't be happier.  Please don't expect me to buy you a glass of Haut Brion or La Mission Haut Brion (100 Pt wines in 2015), but Clarendelle white, rose, or red.... perhaps if you catch me on the right evening.  See you on the road."  E

ERIC JERARDI, NOW AN OFFICIAL BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR STELLA ARTOIS

Stella Artois is one of the oldest brands in the world, first appearing in 1336. Today, Stella Artois is the best selling beer imported from Belgium and one of the fastest-growing beers sold in the United States. 

“I’m very proud to represent Stella Artois on tour and very excited about all of the possibilities going forward this year with my new album “Occupied”coming out. While I certainly hope to have the opportunity to sit down and buy everyone a “Stella” in the near future, I didn’t want to miss the chance to share this news.  I look forward to seeing everyone at a show this year!”

ABOUT Stella Artois

• Barrels shipped in 2018: 2.7 million

Stella Artois is one of the oldest beers available in America, as its roots stretch back about three centuries to Leuven, Belgium. Just recently, it has become one of the fastest-growing beers in the U.S. Its shipments have grown by more than 10 percent from 2016 to 2017, one of the biggest growths of any major beer.


ERIC JERARDI'S NEW ALBULM "OCCUPIED"

There is no doubt that “Occupied,” Eric Jerardi’s eighth national release is a tour de force. Recorded in Sheffield, Alabama with the legendary Muscle Shoals rhythm section [Aretha Franklin, Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Glenn Frey, Bob Dylan, and more], Eric has created a musical masterpiece combining heartfelt performances with the soul of the Muscle Shoals horns, backing vocals, and the world’s greatest rhythm section. With a solid reputation as an exceptional guitar player, executive producer Allen Farst (Niche) and Legendary producer/engineer David Z [Prince, Fine Young Cannibals, Johnny Lang, Etta James] were instrumental in encouraging Eric as a gifted songwriter and more importantly as a vocalist and the results are undeniable. “Occupied” has officially put all others on notice that Eric Jerardi has come into his own.

BUY HERE

Eric Jerardi: Playing for Keeps in The Game

Biography

Eric Jerardi has built his life at the crossroads of soul and storytelling. A Dayton, Ohio native, his music blends weathered truth and raw finesse—equal parts grit, groove, and grace. Since 1997, he has released ten nationally distributed recordings, each one a milestone in his evolution as a soul‑soaked blues‑rock artist.

His 2019 album Occupied—produced by the legendary David Z (Prince, Etta James, Jonny Lang) and recorded with the famed Muscle Shoals rhythm section—was hailed for its depth, groove, and emotional resonance. Critics called it a “low-key, deeply felt masterpiece,” and audiences across the country echoed that sentiment with standing ovations and lasting loyalty. Yet Eric’s art has never been about virtuosity—it’s about connection. The subtle inflection of a vocal line. The space between notes that speaks louder than any solo. He plays not to impress, but to connect—and people feel it.

And now, with his upcoming album The Game, Jerardi returns with something even more personal. It started with a nudge—or rather, an ambush.

A close musical friend, refused to leave him alone. Relentless texts. Daily reminders. No escape. The challenge was deceptively simple: write 12 songs in 12 weeks. Every Wednesday morning, a text arrived with a phrase that had to be used verbatim in that week’s song—phrases Eric would never have chosen on his own. Miss the deadline, and you paid a fine. Miss too many, and you were out. No polish required. Just honesty and accountability.

What began as a game became a mirror.

Produced by Michael James (Robben Ford, Edwin McCain, New Radicals) and featuring the iconic Muscle Shoals backing vocals of Cindy and Marie, The Game is raw, lean, and unfiltered. It cost Eric twenty dollars, a little sleep, and a whole lot of truth. Worth every penny.

Beyond the music, Jerardi’s world continues to expand. At Jerardi’s Little Store in Dayton, fans travel from across the country—and around the world—to meet him, collect signed merch, and have Eric personally select wines from his curated collection. That same spirit lives on in his YouTube series Backroom Blues & Bottles, where stripped-down performances filmed in the store’s back room blend his two passions: music and wine.

Through it all, Eric Jerardi remains guided by the same principle that’s shaped his entire career—connection. Whether through a lyric written under pressure, a note held just long enough, or a bottle poured across the counter, he’s inviting people into something real.

The Game may have started as a dare. But Eric Jerardi played it exactly the way he always has—honestly, fearlessly, and all in.

CLICK to SEE how The Game prompts unfolded. 

Team & Execution Partners (Why This Campaign Is Built to Win)

This campaign is led by a proven execution team with the rare combination of high-end visual storytelling, major-label caliber audio production, and experienced national promotion—the three pillars that separate hobby releases from breakout artist campaigns.

Allen Farst — Executive Producer & Director. Allen is an acclaimed American director and filmmaker and a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), with a track record spanning music, documentary, high-end commercials, and celebrity photography. His work has been featured by major brands and outlets, including Panasonic, Billboard, Bloomberg, Variety, USA Today, Nikon Cinema, Newsweek, Yahoo Finance, and Fox Business, among others. His award-winning film chuck leavell: the tree man is the longest-running film on delta airlines, featuring the rolling stones, eric clapton, billy bob thornton, and many others.

Michael James — Producer & Mixing Engineer. MJ is an established record producer, mixing engineer, guitarist, and former A&R executive, with credits that include work with artists such as Edwin McCAIN, L7, New Radicals, A.J. Croce, AND Robin Ford, among others. His own professional profile highlights that he mixes up to 250 songs per year across multiple genres and has mixed projects that achieved #1 chart performance internationally, underscoring both volume and competitive-level results.

Mark Pucci — Publicity (National / Roots & Americana Proven). Pucci brings deep industry experience going back to his work at Capricorn Records, where he served as a tour publicist and later National Publicity Director. His roster history includes major legacy and roots-adjacent artists such as The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Elvin Bishop, Delbert McClinton, Percy Sledge, and more.

MAC Radio Promotions — Radio Promotion (Blues/Roots Specialty Expertise). MAC Radio Promotions is a specialist radio promotion company focused on blues/roots campaigns. MAC is actively recognized in the blues promotion space and associated with professional radio promo work and industry outreach.

Powderfinger Promotions. We’re proud to have David Avery, Founder & President, leading radio promotion for The Game. David is one of the most trusted names in blues radio, with decades-long relationships across reporting stations, specialty programs, and syndicated shows. In a genre where credibility matters, having David on the team ensures this record is heard by the right ears—organically, authentically, and with long-term impact.

Distribution — Sony / The Orchard (Global Scale + Services). Distribution through Sony’s ecosystem—via The Orchard—adds a major-grade pipeline for global delivery and artist services. The Orchard is described as a leading distribution company operating in 40+ markets worldwide, offering artist/label services including marketing, sync licensing, video services, rights management, data analysis, and both digital and physical distribution.