Eric Schwartz
Award-winning singer/songwriter, performer, satirist multi-instrumentalist and entertainer Eric Schwartz (aka Eric "Red" Schwartz) tours the U.S. and Europe bringing his music to every audience he can find. He's been playing music and comedy venues nationally for fifteen years (the Improv, The Bluebird, The Comedy Store, The Bottom Line...). He has composed for and performed in various Satiristas shows spearheaded by Paul Provenza, as well as "The Bad Boys of Comedy" with Bobby Slayton, Jim Norton et. al. His songs have been sung by Ronny Cox, Holly Near and Van Dyke Parks. Schwartz is possibly the only artist in the history of the world to get raves from Gloria Steinem and Hustler Magazine, Eric's songs go from the political to the profane, sometimes both (see the International Songwriting Competition's best comedy song of the year, "Clinton Got a Blowjob".) Eric's latest CD release The Aristocrat, which Paul Zollo (Songwriters on Songwriting) calls "a comic treasure" and the U.K.'s Rock'n'Reel magazine calls "beautifully produced and perfectly executed," contains "There's a Picture...", currently in rotation on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom show. Schwartz has also garnered radio play on stations as diverse as Howard Stern's 100, Raw Dog Radio, the Ed Schultz Show and NPR's All Things Considered. Schwartz' latest release is The Better Man which Brian Keathley of KALX Berkeley calls "by far his best work yet. A great collection of tunes with humor, and social commentary - some of which is damn profound. Be listening for it this week and beyond on my radio shows!"
Here's what folks are saying about Eric Schwartz...
"The most gifted, irreverent, musically brilliant, beloved, warm presences here at Kerrville an everywhere else"
-- Peter Yarrow
"Eric Schwartz has a brilliant mind, a fabulous musical sensibility, and is not afraid to sing what other people barely allow themselves to think."
-- Christine Lavin
"Outrageous fun!"
-- John Platt, WFUV
"Blending politically savvy comedy with music has always been a slippery slope. Eric Schwartz knows just how to meld funny and funky."
-- Hustler Magazine, March 2008
Honor Finnegan
Combining elements of musical theater, comedy, traditional folk and poetry, Honor Finnegan has been making a splash in the northeastern regional folk scene with her original songs, astonishing vocals and fine ukulele playing. Her songs are at turns, humorous and heartbreaking with melodies that soar and lyrics that reflect the complexities of contemporary life. Her unique brand of quirky Indie folk has earned her a place on the stage with the likes of Buskin & Batteau, Sloan Wainwright, David Massengill and Peter Yarrow, to name a few. She is a proud member of Tribes Hill, a folk music collective based in the Hudson Valley area. Honor was a 2013 Kerrville New Folk winner, and a 2012 Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist.
Currently based in New York City, Honor was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, and moved to Ireland in 1991 where she sang with jazz bands, blues bands, big bands and traditional Irish bands. Though small in stature, her powerful voice and larger-than-life persona, are guaranteed to make a huge impression on all who are fortunate enough to see her perform.
Here's the buzz on Honor Finnegan ...
"Honor Finnegan's clever songs, powerful voice, and endearing stage presence have made her standout on the fertile NYC folk scene. Don't miss her!"
- John Platt, "Sunday Breakfast," WFUV, New York
"I am honored to be compared to Honor Finnegan! I LOVE her!"
- Christine Lavin
"One thing is certain: those who see and hear her encounter a powerful voice combined with a refreshing, offbeat sense of humor...Combined with her prodigious vocal instrument, her recorded and live repertoire packs a unique one-two punch"
-Richard Cuccaro, Acoustic Live
"Lyrics that catch you by surprise, a voice that pulls you toward the source then knocks you on your heels with energy, a caramel and salt confection that you can't quite explain and you can't get enough of. "
- Thomas Boyd, "Rockin Roots" on independent radio
