1. What was the first song you ever performed?
Probably “Boil ‘Dem Cabbage Down”
2. Did you come from a musical background?
I do come from a musical background. Not of professional musicians, but people who were very passionate on both sides of my family. Recently my grandmother gave me her father’s violin. It is somewhere around 120 years old. This was the first personal item bought after he immigrated from the Ukraine in 1912. He was dirt poor, but he knew that music would enrich his life. I also have memories of my grandfather’s huge smile as he would play his piano by ear; what he lacked in formal training he made up for in love for music.
As a kid, we were “encouraged” (forced) to pick an instrument to learn. I chose the mandolin; all my sibling chose piano and became very good at it. But I took to music in a different way from the rest and I have been pursuing it ever since.
3. What are your musical influences?
I have so many from different stages of my life from Paul Simon, Sam Bush and New Grass Revival, Nickel Creek, Lyle Lovett, and Darrell Scott, to name a few.
4. How do you balance your music career with your other obligations in life?
Music is my job, it’s my friend, it is my passion, but it is not who I am and it is not my life. It is an expression of who I am, but it does not define me. I keep this in mind as I move through life and the industry. To me, developing my relationship with God, and learning how to be a man of integrity comes before everything else. When I have these things in order, the balance comes easy. Also, “To Do” lists help!
5. What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?
Figure out your motivation. If it is an ego driven goal, it probably won’t last long enough to get you through the really difficult stages of “making it happen.”
6. If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose this career? Would you do anything differently?
This sounds cliché, but I don’t feel that I ever “chose music”. To the extent that I did make a choice, it was the choice to accept and align with the calling, to do what I need to do.
7. What would be your advice to artists that are new to the touring circuit
Treat every gig like the gig you want to have. You might be playing at a bar but if you prepare and perform like you are playing a stadium, you will get there. That’s the theory that I am operating under, anyway.
8. As a child growing up, music surrounds us; What type of music did you hear the most back then? How does it differ from what you listen to now?
Growing up the music in my house was very folk based. A lot of James Taylor, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Paul Simon. Also, quite a bit of Bluegrass based music- Doc Watson, New Grass Revival etc. I still enjoy those artists so much and return to listening to them often, but I also enjoy expanding my ear. I’ve been listening to a lot of Funk and Soul artists.
9. What made you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Ever since I first began playing the mandolin. I don’t think there was ever a decision made, the vision has evolved of course, but the idea of being a performer was always there.
10. If you had to describe your music in three or four words, what would you call it?
Progressive-pop & folk fusion.
11. How do you like to enjoy your relaxation time away from the music?
I don’t have a lot of down time, but I like to read, exercise, and get outside to camp, hike, hunt, ride horses, or ski. I love exploring new places and doing new activities so I try to take advantage of “non-work” time.
12. Who does most of the songwriting?
I write 95% of the songs I perform. I will sometimes add a very selective cover song to the set list, but I prefer to play all original music.
13. What are your up-to-date performance plans? New Releases? Tours ? News?
I have a new album coming out very soon in early 2019. I am very excited to hit the road and promote it. I have several tours in the works for this year and plan to cover sever different states. Folks can stay up with my up to date schedule through my website.
For more information visit: www.erikstucky.com
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