Birmingham Public Library to Host An Evening with Eric Essix for September’s BPL@Night

As part of the Birmingham Public Library’s 25th Anniversary of the Central East building, Eric Essix will perform a special concert in the Atrium for the BPL@Night program.

In 2000, while signed to Zebra Records, Eric Essix decided to explore the soul, R&B, gospel and country music that he grew up listening to in his home state of Alabama. It was the start of a musical journey that began with “Southbound” followed by “Somewhere In Alabama” on his own Essential Recordings label in 2004 and now has brought him full circle with his latest offering, ”Birmingham.”

Eric recorded his debut album as a solo artist in 1988 for Nova Records called First Impressions and 13 albums later he is still making music that moves; that captures the imagination…that touches the emotions. But it is his last three recordings that are particularly revealing and personal, giving the listener an up close look at the man behind the music and the place he calls home.

Home is Birmingham. Eric grew up here in the midst of the turbulent 1960s and, after an initial introduction to the guitar by the Beatles, got his start as a performer in the church. Today gospel music still informs and influences everything he does. However, early exposure to Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, and Jimi Hendrix greatly contributed to Eric’s sound and style as a guitarist. His trademark “southerness” is evident on the new CD which highlights some of the people and experiences from the city of his birth.

For more information, please visit www.ericessix.com. The Library will provide light refreshment at the concert.

Details
What: An Evening with Eric Essix for BPL@Night
When: Thursday, September 17, 2009
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Central Library’s Atrium
Cost: Free

photo from ericessix.com

BPL thanks Compass Bank for its generous support of BPL@Night. BPL@Night is also made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.