Having been musically inclined since
the early age of 12, Eric has taught himself to play the piano, guitar,
and bass guitar. Over the years, Eric's musical yearnings have taken him
through a myriad of achievements, including playing bass guitar for the
band Scepter, and recording musical jingles for radio commercials, as well
as a syndicated movie review theme. Eric began developing his own
composing talents, but didn't feel his personal style was always
appropriate to the rock 'n' roll setting into which he had fallen.
Joining the
up-and coming rock band Lost Nation as lead singer, Eric felt right at
home singing and writing with some of his favorite musicians. When Lost
Nation parted ways, Eric decided that the time was right to record his
first album, and in 1987 the ten-song "A Long Time Coming"
cassette was released, featuring eight Kinkel originals. After the album's
release, Eric concentrated on performing live, appearing at local night
clubs, coffee houses, and private parties, even giving a few speeches
along the way. In 1999, a digitally re mastered CD-single featuring remixed
versions of "Antique Spirits" and "The Dutchman" was
released, See
CDs page
Continuing to
follow his musical muse, Eric has broadened his approach to include
different styles of writing and playing, which include collaborations with
bassist/cellist Al Ehrich, as well as close friends Kurt Christensen
(drums), Rich Koc (pedal steel) Ken Pfeil (guitar) Angela Martin (violin)
and more recently L.J. Slavin (mandolin, harmonica, tin whistle)
Jim
Teolis (Bass) and Matt Teolis (gutiar, accordion). Eric has
added a depth of rhythm, melody, and composition to create an
ever-expanding musical tableau.
In 1997 Eric
gave the first of three benefit concerts for his sister
Linda,
who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. With special guests
Michael
Smith (folk) and
The
Boyzz (Rock), Eric succeeded in bringing together some of Chicago's
finest musicians from different genre's to create an un usual
and vibrant variety of music in one show, which also included Eric's regular lineup.
In the fall of
2001
he gave his second benefit concert for Linda, along with special
guests
Anne Hills (Folk) and
The Boyzz (Rock,
& acoustic). Again Eric managed to bring together a
consistent array of talent that entertained his audience.
This turn of events has steered Eric in a direction that
utilizes his musical talents to raise money for his sister and
draw attention to her deadly disease.
On July 16th, 2004
another show was produced, appropriately titled "Brotherly Love Benefit
Concert" . This time headlined by well known
country/folk artist, Tom Dundee, along with additions to Eric's
line up including, bassist Jim Teolis, and guitarist Matt
Teolis, Eric continued to streamline the show by featuring a 45
minute song set with Eric Kinkel & Friends, and
a 50 minute set featuring Tom Dundee. Proudly, Eric
has managed to raise nearly $ 46,000.00 for his sister
Linda, through out the last eight years and three
concerts, an achievement Eric continues to remain
dedicated to, in the coming years.
On June 11th, 2006
Eric produced a benefit concert appropriately titled "Ma Nugent
Remembered", at Durty Nellie's in Palatine Illinois. A concert
aimed at raising funds to erect a rock monument out side Durty Nellie's
to Ma Nugent the late mother of rock-n-roll legend and MotorCity MadMan
Ted Nugent. Dirty Dan Buck & The Boyzz along with Deluxury,
head lined the tribute spear headed by Eric that evening. The
concert successfully highlighted the memory of the beloved mother of
rock-n-roll with spectacular performances by both bands and a touching
slide show produced by Eric. Surprise celebrity guest Jimy Sohns of the
Shadows of Knight joined The Boyzz on stage for a loud and proud
rendition of The Shadows number one hit "Gloria". Palatine landscaper
Paul Munagian came forward to donate a boulder for the monument Eric
planned to build in memory of Ma later that year. Afterwards Durty
Nellie's owners Mark and Jim Dolezal agreed to host the monument
On August 1st, 2007,
Eric successfully completed the Ma Nugent monument. A production
of monumental proportions the 4 ton rock was finally dedicated to Ma
Nugent. Eric invited Ted and the mayor of Palatine to the ceremony that
day.
On August
27th 2010, Eric Kinkel and
his new band 'Acoustic Thunder'
successfully put on an uplifting, positive show appropriately titled:
"Inspirations Concert" held at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for The
Arts, Schaumburg IL. with special guest and three time Grammy Award
winning musician and artist Bill Miller along with a guest performances
by Chicago R&R icon Dirty Dan Buck. The show featured musical
audio visual tributes to Eric's late mother and sister and a portion of
the proceeds were donated to the National MDS Foundation.
September
17th, 2011 This time
around Kinkel produced a solo show with a unique theme:
Eric Kinkel - Solo- In Concert
'Love Songs, 'Blues Tunes and Memorable Melodies' The three set concert
included Kinkel
performing solo acoustic numbers on many songs. In the first set titled:
Love Songs, featured Kinkel along with bassist/author Dean Milano and
back round vocals by: Traci Abel (formerly of Dirty Dan Buck & The
Boyzz), Patti Prendergast (formerly of Bitch & Tough Love) and Salina
Norman on violin. The second set titled: Blues Tunes, featured Eric
along with special guests; John Abel (formerly of of Dirty Dan Buck &
The Boyzz) on blues guitar, Patti Prendergast (formerly of of Bitch &
Tough Love) on Bass guitar and Traci Abel on back round vocals vocals.
The third set: Memorable Melodies, featured Bob Abrams (Formerly of The
Buckingham's) performing some classic tunes with Eric and Dean on bass
and vocals.
The finale included the entire cast of musicians in an upbeat and
electrifying version of Elton Johns 'Your Sister Can't Twist
beginning in 2-019 Eric returned to the studio to begin creating more
unique music as he's always approached it. He never tries to emulate or
create anything that doesn't come from his heart through to his hand.
Since 2019 Eric has
recorded the following songs , which are all available on YouTube,
Amazon, Spotify, SoundCloud and Apple iTunes: Click below to view/ hear
my latest recording on You Tube
'Watching Clouds'
'We Are Even'
'Goldmoor's View'
'Tracez'
'Nothing's Wrong Song'
'Paradise On Earth'
'Autumnal Way'
2022, is an uncertain year, as
I am in the throws of many life health challenges and
further surrounding life challenges. I do plan on getting back into the
studio, when these issues are resolved. So, stay tuned.
Click here
to read all about these songs and their back stories
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