Craig Erickson

Born in the heartland of Cedar Rapids to a jazz guitarist father and pianist mother,Craig grew up on a diverse diet of pop radio and a huge collection of records including
funk,jazz,blues,classic rock,reggae,gospel,classical...
At age 13 he begin writing songs and recording multitrack demos playing guitar,bass,drums,keys and vocals.
He spent the next 20 years
fronting bands covering everything from Joni Mitchell to Sly ,Herbie Hancock,and Hendrix and working with top area musicians and midwest studios .
In the 80s he began teaching tons of guitar students at his dads music store.It was the dedication of
his practice and teaching and regular attendance of NAMM
conventions that led Craig to the determination and connections to be noticed among the crowds of hopefuls.
Winning an international guitar contest and getting noticed by a major guitar magazine editor and a guitar record company owner helped
him breakthrough to a new level.
He then recorded a string of heavy bluesrock CDs for west coast
based Shrapnel Records(including the first come back CD for legendary Deep Purple/Trapeze singer Glenn Hughes in 1994) led to
European distribution,touring,including appearances at the Salon De La Musique in Paris and subsequent gigs in France,Germany,England ,etc. and two US tours with Glenn Hughes.
Appearances at midwest blues and jamband fests as well as clubs have been a part of the last 20 years.
Personal family tragedy interrupted his
career for several years,but he has come back with several strong CDs in the last two years including the acoustic flavored"The Porch Of Planet Pluto Pt. 1" which deals with the famous Cedar Rapids flood of 08' among other heavy subjects.
Other recent CDs include the classic
blues rock releases "Big Highway","Castle Blues" and the new concept-style CD"New Earth Blues" which includes covers by Free,Peter Green, and Chris Whitley and
a host of originals with a heavy Hendrix influence.
Some of his songs have been picked up by major licensing companies and more are on the way.
Current activities include managing a recording studio,teaching and gigging both solo acoustic guitar shows with loops and vocals,as well as live shows with a variety of regional bands including jam band Planet Pluto and The Craig Erickson Band.
Upcoming plans include instructional DVDs,,books and new recordings in a wide variety of styles including retro funk,jam instrumental, solo acoustic,shred guitar instrumental,fusion ,etc. etc.

Endorsements include Vigier guitars,Rivera Amps,Seymour Duncan,etc.

Craig has recorded or toured with musicians including Rob Wasserman,Glenn Hughes,Tony Franklin,John Avila,Richie Kotzen,Warren De Martini,Atma Anur, Paul Pesco,Greg Chaisson,Jeff Martin,Greg Martin,Chris Duarte,Darrell Mansfield,T Lavitz,Rob Lamothe,Richard Bell,Terry Lawless,Jeff Sipe,Buddy Miles,Rocky Athas,Johnnie Bolin, and many more...

Craigs philosophy of music is
diversity,excellence,soul and
playing or creating something that people can feel ,remember, and hopefully be inspired by.