Photo credit: Adam Glagla
A road-tested artist is an artist whose work is inspired by their love of road trips. For example, pop art pioneer Ed Ruscha's work is characterized by his vivid depictions of Standard gas stations and billboard speak in his landscapes.
Many great artists have made a great living with lyrics about their experiences on the road. As a child, I can recall “Dave Dudley” singing about his life on the road. The song “6 days on the road” was etched in my memory for decades. Even as my taste in music changed, the impact of the songs didn’t. My trips throughout my lifetime, was accompanied by artists who experienced the impact of the day-to-day touring and living a life that most could never tolerate. It takes a special type of person that can be “road tested”
Artists that have sang about their life on the road have been:
There isn’t a limit to the number of artists that have sang about life on the road, but I do not believe truly were road tested. Some speak about their short trips but touring for extended periods of time usually result in the road-tested artist. We have a seasoned artist with a road-tested way of life. His entire drive or background has been shaped by his life on the road. Our guest’s name is Eric Steckel.
ABOUT ERIC STECKEL
“Road-tested and seasoned from 25 years on stage, Eric Steckel is a blues veteran at only 34 years of age. His big break came about at the age of 12 when Blues legend John Mayall invited Eric on tour with his band The Bluesbreakers and hired Eric to play lead guitar on his 2005 album. Since then, Eric has launched a successful solo career releasing 12 albums, developing signature guitars, pickups, & amps and touring in over 30 countries. Eric has shared the bill with Steve Vai, Gregg Allman, Johnny Winter, John Mayall, Ray Charles, Ace Frehley, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford among others and was voted #55 of "The 100 Greatest Blues Guitarists of All Time" .
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In an era where pedalboards, laptops and samples have become commonplace, Eric Steckel goes against the grain and harkens his listeners back to the days when great guitars were played loudly through great amps. Hailed by many as the top rising star of Blues/Rock, Eric delivers a powerhouse performance that has left audiences in 29 countries (and counting) mesmerized. He brings an energy and passion to the stage that never disappoints and his signature blend of Bluesmetal is a must see for fans of guitar-based rock. Eric has shared the stage with and/or opened for iconic legends such as Ray Charles, Steve Vai, Gregg Allman, B.B. King, John Mayall and Johnny Winter.
Throughout his teens and young adulthood, Eric released several critically acclaimed live and studio albums. 2006's "Havana" was a hit among Blues guitar lovers and tracks from this album are still featured often on SiriusXM's Bluesville station. 2008's "Feels Like Home" featured the talented Duane Trucks on drums and recalled the 70's southern rock era. Hits from this album such as "The Ghetto" and "Just Walk Away" receive regular airplay to this day. In 2012, after years on the road, Eric entered the studio once again to record a powerful modern Blues record. "Dismantle The Sun" emerged. In 2015, Eric embarked on a quest to record a fully transatlantic studio album with some of the finest producers, engineers and musicians he knew. This led to "Black Gold" being recorded in both Nashville, Tennessee and Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Eric's 2018 album "Polyphonic Prayer" was the beginning of Eric's new era of 'Bluesmetal' records featuring a more modern guitar sound and production style and featured the hit "Tennessee" and the slow blues classic "It's My Own Fault" which was immediately added to Spotify's own "Best of the Blues" playlist and received a half-million streams just days after the album's release. 2020's "Grandview Drive" took Eric's signature 'Bluesmetal' sound further into arena rock territory with a bigger mix and production than his previous solo albums. "Grandview Drive" also saw Eric coming into his own as a confident songwriter with radio-friendly tracks and stadium rock hooks, all while maintaining the searing guitar licks and tones that his fans have come to expect from him.
Road-tested and seasoned from 23 years on stage and in the studio, Eric delivers his signature blend of 'Bluesmetal' worldwide to appreciative guitar lovers in 30+ countries and counting.
INTERVIEW WITH ERIC STECKEL AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Hi Eric. Thank you for joining me today to as we dive into the topic of being Road-Tested. What comes to you mind when you hear that an artist has been road tested?
Eric: I think there are so many different ways to look at it, which I love. A great deal of what has made me road-tested comes from just the sheer amount of time I’ve been out there doing it, but also how fortunate I’ve been to get to see SO much of this planet at such a young age. That gave me a sort of “road education” that you can’t buy, download, or fake – it’s something totally innate in being out there touring.
Guitar Thrills: I know that much of your music is based upon your experiences on the road. Can you tell me which song, and a little bit about the story around it?
Eric: One that immediately comes to mind of course is “Tennessee” which I wrote from the perspective that after a long tour of mostly major cities and urban environments, the best reset button for the soul is to get way out on some back roads and rural landscapes. Most international tours take us through dozens of airports in 1 run. So as you can probably imagine, by the end of a run, I’m ready to get out into the rural countryside!
Guitar Thrills: How has the experience impacted you as an artist?
Eric: Mostly it’s given me a broader perspective and a much more tolerant understanding of people different from myself. This translates into my writing being less about me and more about the world at large. I’ve noticed this a lot on the recent recordings – I’m able to write from a much higher vantage point now. My world is much bigger, which leads to more understanding and more depth in the songwriting.
Guitar Thrills: I often hear references to artists being road tested. However, I think the term is often used without given thought to its meaning and application. Can you tell when an artist is just using it to bolster their reputation as an artist?
Eric: That’s tough to say, assertively. If I know the artist personally or have worked with them at some point on this journey, I have a much clearer picture. But just from reading a bio or an advertisement for an artist, I wouldn’t be able to say with any authority. I think you can tell a lot about an artist’s journey by the dues they have (or have not) paid. Usually THAT is quite obvious to our fellow colleagues. Most musicians have a built-in radar for this sort of thing, and it helps tremendously when it comes time to collaborate with others.
Guitar Thrills: What are some of the upsides to touring and being on the road?
Eric: Besides the obvious cliches about honing one’s craft, I can say without a doubt that life on the road throws you into situations that require immediate decisions. I’ve learned to make quick, executive decisions that take into account everyone in our traveling party. Life on the road requires the person in charge to make sure everyone is safe, heard, acknowledged, well-compensated, and appreciated. You learn QUICKLY how to lead and also how to follow and work in groups when you are living on the road.
Guitar Thrills: I have worked with artists in the past. Touring was a instrumental in their success. It is unavoidable. However, what are some of the negative reasons as to why someone would not want to consider touring?
Eric: For me, I could not imagine a life or career without touring. It is absolutely essential. But of course, I am speaking as a guitarist born in the 90’s – a millennial. I CAN respect and see value in what some of the younger musicians are preaching with regards to social media and how to navigate the “new” music business.
Guitar Thrills: I was listening to the song “Tennessee” there is a bit an element of southern rock to it. Were you inspired by some of the southern rock artists?
Eric: Absolutely. I was lucky to have parents with an incredible vinyl collection and an incredible music taste to pass along. The southern rock, blues, heavy metal, jazz albums I had access to as a child undoubtedly shaped me as a musician and as a person to this day.
Guitar Thrills: You’re a talented artist. Especially with a strong ability to play the guitar. When did you first start learning how to play? How long did it take, and when did you develop your own style?
Guitar Thrills Broadcast
Eric: I took to it very quickly and looking back I am shocked at some of the things I was able to do at such a young age. At the time it was happening, it seemed ordinary to me. However, as an adult now looking back, I can see why it was such a novelty to see such a young child playing and sounding like an adult. The beauty of starting anything at a young age is the openness of the mind, the lack of cynicism, and the freedom to sink your teeth into something and get good at it! I started playing around 9 years old, and my first album came out in 2002 at the age of 11. In the span of those two years, I was able to learn a lot of the blues fundamentals I carry with me on stage to this very day!
Guitar Thrills: What was the first guitar you learned how to play?
Eric: My first guitar was a ¾ scale student Ovation acoustic that was the perfect size for trips with the family or backyard bbq’s. The following year at age 9, I was gifted an entry-level Stratocaster in black with a rosewood board. That guitar made the first 4 records of my career and I kept it for sentimental reasons for over 2 decades.
Guitar Thrills: I have you seen you perform with Knaggs guitars. Is there a specific reason why you prefer them to other types or brands?
Eric: Yes, my relationship with Knaggs began in 2017, and by 2018 we had co-designed my signature model that is still selling to this day. We’ve also done some really killer limited runs in these years as well that I’m very proud of. After many years of playing Fender-ish style instruments (25 ½ scale, single coils, etc), the choice to make a single cut with humbuckers was a surprise to some, but certainly not me! During the tracking of my 2018 “Polyphonic Prayer” album, my tone and approach got fundamentally heavier and more metal. So when I struck up a relationship with Knaggs, it made perfect sense at that time to work on a dream single-cut for me that ticked all the boxes of what I needed on stage and in the studio to get the sound in my head and the feel that made playing fun and inspiring!
Guitar Thrills: They build a beautiful guitar, and it sounds awesome as well. Is there a different guitar that is your “go to” or is there a different one depending upon the environment?
Eric: I’m very fortunate to have a collection of guitars from Knaggs that goes beyond just America or my own home. My tech in Europe is the custodian of a bunch of my Knaggs for when I tour overseas, and even here in the US on occasion I’ve used fans’ Steckel signature Knaggs in situations where I fly in without my own instruments on-board. Since they are all technically the same (minus the cosmetic appearance/finish), I don’t neccesarily pick a guitar for certain material, but I WILL however pick a guitar based on mood or vibe.
Guitar Thrills: What can your fans look forward to hearing from you next? Do you have any specific projects that you are working on?
Eric: I will be back on the road starting as early as February 2025. The tour will start in Spain this time. I will also be releasing another full-length album in 2025 and we are in talks with a major label for it’s release.
Guitar Thrills: That is awesome. It has been great chatting with you, and would like for you to come back soon for a foll up interview. How does that sound?
Eric: Count me in! You know where to find me and I’m always up for a chat. Thanks for having me!
Guitar Thrills: Excellent. I look forward to it.
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