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Don't Talk To Me - 4:240:00/4:24
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I'm A Guitar Player 3:340:00/3:34
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She So Fine 4:050:00/4:05
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0:00/5:05
ERIC DEMMER
Hear What You feel, Play What You Hear"
My professional career began in the early 1980’s as a roadie for a Texas dancehall band. During that time, I became a sound engineer working for sound companies. And in 1989, I was the sound engineer on Clint Black’s Killing Time tour. After I left the tour, I decided to devote my time to playing sax full-time. In 1993, I got the call to play with the legendary guitarist, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and was a member of “Gate’s” band until his death in 2005. One of my career highlights while playing with “Gate” was performing on Eric Clapton’s, From the Cradle tour. Also, I was invited by Dicky Betts to perform with the Allman Brothers, and I had the privilege of performing with many world-class artists such as, Johnny Clyde Copeland, B.B. King, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Buddy Guy, Johnnie Johnson, Les Paul, Billy Gibbons, and many more. In 2018, I played shows with the BB King Blues Band featuring Tito Jackson from the Jackson 5 and Mike Zito. When Not touring with other artists, I have been performing with my own band. I describe my sound as “high-energy blues with a mix of funk and rock-n-roll”. We combine a variety of musical styles and influences while reminding everyone that “…the real thing comes from the heart and soul”.
Music & live video
Press photos
Playing at The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton Fl
Eric Demmer Band at Earl's Hideaway in Sebastian Fl
Performance at the world famous Gruene Hall in New Braunfels Tx
Reviews
“Eric Demmer - So Fine - Texas based vocalist and Sax great Eric Demmer has released his debut album titled So Fine a twelve song mix of soulful blues and rock. For a guy who has been in the music business since the '80's that's a long time before releasing your debut album. Part of that time was spent with legendary bluesman Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown as a member of his band from 1993 until Brown's passing in 2005. He performed with many other stellar artists before joining Mike Zito's band in 2018. Finally after all those years and miles Demmer was ready to record his own album. Helping out Demmer on So Fine are Mike Zito, John Del Toro Richardson, Mark May, Rick Marcel, the Grooveline Horns, Melanie Covington, Darrell Lacy and Demmer's daughter Danielle. Nuggets off So Fine include the funky and slinky album opener "Don't Talk To Me", the Latin flair of "She's So Fine", the funky, fun and cautionary tale "What Was I Thinking", the sweet in the pocket shuffle "I'm A Guitar Player", the full throttle rocker "I'm Alright", a couple of slow blues weepers "Start It All Again" and "Let Me Go", the soulful and funky "Any Day Get Away" featuring Danielle Demmer on vocals and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" which closes out the album. For more information about Eric Demmer and his fine new album So Fine visit www.ericdemmer.com or go to www.facebook.com/ericdemmersax” - Bob Silvestri
— Best of Western New York
“Eric Demmer plays So Fine on his Gulf Coast Records debut. After years of blowing sax for the likes of The Allman Brothers, BB King, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, and Buddy Guy, this funky Texan joined the band of the legendary Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown until Brown’s 2005 death when he hooked up with St. Louis’ guitar hero, Mike Zito. Zito wound up producing So Fine, singing and adding his signature hot licks. (Anything that has Zito’s name attached to it is going to be worth hearing.) Demmer winds up being a soulful singer and one has to wonder why it took him decades to step out in front. Punctuated by The Grooveline Horns, So Fine rocks.” - Mike Greenblatt
“A sax player, Eric Demmer started out as a roadie and got his first big break when he joined Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown’s touring band in 1993, a gig he retained until Gate’s death in 2005, including playing with Gate on Eric Clapton’s ‘From The Cradle’ tour. Demmer’s name may be familiar from credits on recent albums by The BB King Blues Band and Tito Jackson, but this is his debut release under his own name. Recorded in Houston, Texas, and produced by Eric and Gulf Coast label boss Mike Zito, Eric handles most of the vocals and plays sax, supported by a core band of Barry Seelen on keys, Hugo Rodriguez on guitar, Dennis Delfino on bass and Jerre Jackson on drums; The Grooveline Horns (Carlos Sosa, Fernando Castillo and Raul Vallejo) add support to some tracks, additional vocals come from Darrell Lacy, Melanie Covington and Eric’s daughter Danielle. Drummer Jordan Almes replaces Jerre on three cuts, Shawn Allen adds B3 to two tracks and there are guest appearances from Mike Zito, guitarists Jonn Del Toro Richardson, Mark May, and The Funky Rick Marcel. The song writing credits are not given on the album but all seem to be original. The overall style is at the funky end of the blues spectrum, with a few gentler tunes mixed in for variety. Opener “Don’t Talk To Me” sets the pattern with funky bass lines underpinning a horn-driven tune as Eric sings in a gravelly, semi-spoken style before delivering an excellent sax break. Jonn Del Toro Richardson plays lead guitar on “She’s So Fine” which has a snaking latin rhythm before what is the outstanding song here, “Will It Ever Be The Same”, Mike Zito taking over the vocals on a wistful Americana tune with ringing guitar and a sax solo that builds beautifully from studied start to rousing finale, the lyrics apparently inspired by the terrible events of 9/11. Eric injects humor into songs like “What Was I Thinking”, a funk-driven tune with spoken vocals about a relationship that does not turn out as Eric expected! Similarly, Eric proclaims that “I’m A Guitar Player”, although he does not actually play that instrument, just that he is one “deep down in my heart” on a fast-paced tune with Hugo’s lead work underpinned by Jonn’s second appearance, this time on rhythm guitar. More ringing guitar features on a rocking “I’m Alright” before Eric drops the tempo for a sensitive ballad, “Start It All Again” which is probably his best vocal of the set. “Get Out Of Town” bounces along with a full horn arrangement and wah rhythm guitar, overlaid by a striking slide guitar solo from Mark May. “Let Me Go” is another ballad, but this time Eric’s vocals sound strained, the track salvaged by the sax and guitar work. “Just Can’t Wait” and “Any Day Getaway” are both funky workouts, the latter featuring Eric’s daughter Danielle whose convincing vocals work well here. The final track has a familiar title, “Have You Ever Loved A Woman” but is not the Billy Myles/Freddie King song (though it clearly takes inspiration from those familiar lyrics) and provides a fast-paced end to the album with more fine sax work over what sounds like two guitarists though only Hugo is credited. Eric’s debut album has some fine moments and will certainly appeal to those who enjoy the funky end of the blues and strong sax work.” - John Mitchell
— Blues Blast Magazine February 9th 2023
“This is Eric Demmer’s debut release, usually he is known as a sideman saxophone player having played with the likes of Clarence Gatemouth Brown and Tito Jackson in recent times. Here he is lead singer and saxophone player on most of these twelve tracks recorded in Houston Texas. His band consists of, Jerre Jackson on drums, Barry Seelen on keyboards, Hugo Rodriguez on guitar, and Dennis Delfino on bass guitar. There is also a backing horn section The Grooveland Horns and some special guests. An assorted mix of tunes with some blues tones and a lot of funk start with the horn punctuated funky tune Don’t Talk To Me. Eric sings well in a growling raw vocal adding texture to the songs and his saxophone playing is such a joy. She’s So Fine is spoken at first and then the band comes in with a Latino feel throughout, John Del Toro Richardson has lead guitar in this adding great tone. Mike Zito does vocals on the wistful Will It Ever Be the Same, saxophone solo breaks the song and is so powerful. What Was I Thinking, another funky tune with a spoken narrative about a relationship gone wrong. I’m A Guitar Player is an upbeat fun tune, again Eric blasting his saxophone his actual axe he proclaims. I’m Alright is a rocking blues tune delivered well. Start It All Again changes the releases tempo on this ballad. Last track, Have You Ever Loved A Woman has a pacy funky rhythm finishing off a very accomplished release.” - Colin Cambell
— Blues Matters UK Cd Review