Eric Mantel - Internationally recognized Guitar Virtuoso!
Chicago Guitar Legend - Singer/Songwriter....
Liner notes to The Unstruck Melody by Adam St. James
After nearly 30 years in and around the guitar industry, I'm still thrilled when I unearth an "unknown" virtuoso hiding out, woodshedding his tail off in some out of the way corner of the globe. It's happened to me a few times ...quot; and only a few times ...quot; that I've wandered into some club and "discovered" somebody. My last find, six years ago, quickly landed a deal with Steve Vai's Favored Nations label, placing him in very rare company indeed.
I believe Eric Mantel is right up there with that whole shredder gang ...quot; a player with not only chops to spare, but the soul and touch of a true "guitar master." But the fact that Eric is equally at home throwing down in the vein of Vai-Johnson-Satriani, or rippin' it up Nashville session-star style, or soulfully grooving through a set of jazz changes, or blazing through some fiery blues rock Jimi Hendrix-style, or even with the practiced introspection of a nylon-stringer pulling off the most demanding classical moves only adds to the "WOW" factor. And his singing ...quot; not to mention songwriting ...quot; on the outstanding pop-rock gems on this landmark disc is impressive in its own right.
Eric has been amazing Chicago and Midwest audiences for many years, as I found after moving here not too long ago. His debut album, MONTAGE, chock full of blistering riffs and showcasing an already jaw-dropping talent, appeared years prior to the ascendance of the aforementioned shred-Gods. That he may have led that pack out of the starting gate is not unthinkable, had the ears of the industry been turned in Eric's direction before now.
But good things do come to those who wait. With The Unstruck Melody, this largely undiscovered guitar virtuoso and musical daredevil-wizard stands poised and ready to make the leap to international stardom. And with this CD in hand, you're now poised to catch him. Enjoy! - Adam St. James, editor Guitar.com www.adamstjames.com
Giving birth to Eric Mantel must have been a monumental task considering he probably emerged from the womb singing and strumming a guitar. With his outstanding creative streak, he most likely used the umbilical chord to plug into the universe.
And the universe, hiding the one who has been called, "Chicago’s best kept secret," is parting its sky for Eric Mantel. Plunging as if on a bungee chord, Mantel splashes onto the shores of Lake Michigan and emerges into the music scene as a hurricane rushes to shore, leaving everyone "whet" with an appetite for more. This singer/songwriter/guitar virtuoso is Chicago’s secret revealed ...quot; the universe has let go its hold ...quot; Eric Mantel has arrived. ...quot; Theresa Wiza
QUOTES ON ERIC MANTEL
"Imagine, a musical talent that defies easy description. An artist who not only composes and writes great songs, but who also has a virtuosic command of his instrument as well. Eric Mantel is this type of artist. A multi faceted player, writer, composer who's many talents defy "simple definition" "Take the guitar wizardry and compositional abilities of Allan Holdsworth, Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Segovia, Lenny Breau, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins, Albert Lee etc. add to this the songwriting skill of the Beatles, Todd Rundgren, Greg Lake and Sting - press the mix button on this musical blender and the end result would probably sound a lot like Eric Mantel." - Dan Scheffki / Local Live Chicago Magazine Article - Eric Mantel: The Return of a Musical Wizard
"Eric, thanks for the copy of your new CD! - Sounds Good! - Eric Johnson / Austin, TX Guitar Legend / Grammy Winner / Favored Nations Recording Artist / World Renowned Guitar Virtuoso / Voted 5 years in a row "BEST OVERALL GUITARIST" in Guitar Player magazine...
"On first listening your CD sounds great! Well done...... you're a fine player with the right idea. I want to hear it again.....and that's a good sign. I like your "pop sense" best....you have your own thing and I can hear all the influences, but it is an original voice shining through."- Carl Verheyen / Guitarist Extraordinaire / SUPERTRAMP / Studio guitarist / Author / Educator / World Renowned Recoridng Artist / REH Video Instructor...
“I did listen to your CD, I enjoyed it. Nice Job man. I don’t give quotes usually because I get asked a lot. I’ll make an exception with you. Here it is: Eric Mantel has a great melodic sense. He’s holding the torch high for killer guitar playing.” - Gary Hoey / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Fender Endorsee / Recording Artist...
“Eric has great control over the guitar while also creating a rich tapestry of colour in the sounds that he uses” - Dave Martone / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Lion Music Recording Artist / Parker Guitar Endorsee...
“Eric Mantel is a solid shredder, with a sweet tone and tasteful approach” (I enjoyed listening to your CD, GOOD work, sir.) - Fareed Haque / Magna Carta Recording Artist / World Renowned Jazz-Fusion-Classical Guitar Virtuoso / Educator...
"Yo - Dude I finally listened to your CD. You really are a very, very good guitar player! ...it's obviously a diverse disc from a capable guy. I was very impressed, I think Steve (Steve Vai) would be too. Bravo, blondie :) - Rich Pike / Steve Vai's former personal assistant / Guitarist / NoneRadio.com...
“Chops? Of course, but such is the case with many. What really impressed me was Eric’s very mature sense of composition, which at times was reminiscent of Steely Dan and Eric Johnson, yet still very original. His playing is first class; his tone, outstanding (something many players lack), and his songs are even better!” - Michael Fath / World Renowned Guitar Virtuoso / HOT LICKS VIDEO instructor / Hal Leonard Author...
“I have listened to your CD. It was a great CD. Of course I had my favorites, I think track 1 and tack 12 reminded me more of something Shawn would have done. Very melodic and beautiful. However I really liked track 13 also, it really had a jazzy feel, and some heavy duty jamming going on. Shawn would have liked your CD very much!” - Shawn Lane’s sister Mitzi Purvis / Shawe Lane the Greatest Guitarist and Master Musician of all time!
"I really enjoyed your CD! I especially like Affectionately Yours, the harmonics at the end of it are really impressive. You are a very talented musician and your album flows together very nicely!" ...quot; Nick Sterling / Guiatarist Exrtaordinare...
“I did listen to your CD and thought it sounded real good" - Andy Aledort / Guitar World Magazine / Transcriber / Blues Guitarist...
"Eric...you play real well, controlled, slinky and melodic - good show!...good stuff! - John Stix / Guitar For The Practicing Musician Magazine...
Dear Eric, I received your tape and listened to it. I especially liked the lead on the first song. The Rhythm tone was cool on the 2nd song side two. I liked the fade in start on the song "Down on the Farm" the 4th song side two, I think. I thought the song "Somebodie's getting ready to dance" was a really nice acoustic composition! Keep up the good work and all the best to you in the new year." - Eric Johnson / Austin, TX Guitar Legend / Grammy Winner / Favored Nations Recording Artist / World Renowned Guitar Virtuoso / Voted 5 years in a row "BEST OVERALL GUITARIST" in Guitar Player magazine...
"Eric's tape demonstrates his versatile command of the instrument, showcasing slide, backwards guitar, flatpicking, open tunings, and unique chord voicings sometimes reminiscent of Holdsworth's work with I.O.U. As a commercial songwriter; Eric weaves pop melodies throughout his own brand of progressive music. As a soloist, he utilizes many tones and has a very dramatic style that's rich in melody." - Mike Varney / Guitar Player Magazine
"He whips through some raunchy acoustic slide blues, unleashes clean, melodic Metheny-Esque runs and incorporates ethnic strains like Irish gigues and Japanese Koto phrases. Eric achieves this diversity by employing a wide range of techniques, including finger picking, artificial harmonics, tapping and 15 different tunings." Willie Marr / Guitar World Magazine
"I received your tape and had a listen; sounds good man; you're obviously a fine musician - very adept - sounds like many hard hours of serious practice." - Roscoe Beck / Bass Player Extraordinaire / Producer / Plays with Robben Ford and Eric Johnson...
"Your CD was very impressive." - Greg Koch / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Favored Nations Recording Artist / Fender Clinician / Author of several books and DVDs with Hal Leonard...
"I have always thought you were a talented guitar player...Continued Success!" - Anthony Gomes / Blues Guitarist / 33rd Street Recording Artrist...
"Eric's new CD is a joy to listen to. The sounds are nice, his playing rocks, and the songs are engaging. I expect we will be hearing a lot about Eric Mantel in the very near future!" - Jon Finn / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Berklee School of Music professor / Recording Artist / Tours with the Boston pops...
"I think the CD sounds great on all levels. The performances, compositions and production are all very well done & it comes off as more than just a guitar album. You’ve made a great record that you can be proud of, I wish you on going success!”- Jesse Gress / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Transcriber / Plays with Todd Rundgren and TheTony Levin Band...
"You made a great record and are a great guitarist" - Michael Angelo / World Renowned Guitar Virtuoso / C4 Band / Dean Clinician / M.A.C.E. Recording Artist...
"I've always thought that your music and guitar playing were exceptional!" - George Bellas / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Educator / Shrapnel Recording Artist
"Got your CD sounds great man I can hear a little Eric Johnson and Jeff Beck in there. I also think your vocals and tone fit perfect with what you are doing, it all blends great!" - Rusty Cooley / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Out World Band / Guitar Player Magazine Columnist (Metal Guru)...
"I listened to "The Unstruck Melody" and really enjoyed it. The first track, "Tribute" reminds me a bit of "I Would Love To!" So I felt at home right off the bat. My personal favorites on the album are "Tai-Chi" and "Affectionately Yours." Both are just so expressive and beautiful!" - Ruta Sepetys / Steve Vai's Manager
"Crafty songwriting mixed with a tight rhythm section, propels Eric's playing. I hear influences from Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, and conceptually from Eric Johnson. Eric has no doubt studied other players and plays with feeling." - Tucker Rountree / Austin, TX - Jazz Guitarist Extraordinaire...
"Eric is one of the most versatile guitarists on the planet! Great tones, nice songwriting, excellent production! If you enjoy the guitar, you'll love Eric's music!!! This CD will definitely make a home in my player!" - Marc Seal / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Recording Artist / Fender and Rocktron Endorsee...
“I listened to your CD! Great stuff man! Cool tunes...great playing!” - Joel Hoekstra / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Recording Artist / Cathy Richardson Band....
“I finally got a chance to listen to your CD. It is pretty cool! You had some really cool phrasing, good song writing, great melodies, and some good chops. Some of your licks remind me a lot of Eric Johnson (a very good thing!).” - Joel Wanasek / Insane Guitar.com / Guitarist Extraordinaire...
“Wow, thanks so much for sending me your cd! It’s awesome, great mix of all kinds of styles, and your playing is great, melodic, catchy & technical! What I enjoyed most is the fact that you focus a lot on the song. I thuink that’s the most important thing. I think people will enjoy your disc for sure. : )” - Rob Johnson / Guitarist Extraordinaire / Recording Artist...
“Wow you have a lot of songs and could easily release 2 albums, one instrumental and one with vocals! Anyways your playing is exceptional! You have a lot of experience and the recording is very professional and clear! A really cool production! The songs are great and you are a great singer too! Anyways the songs that I like are the instrumental ones! The rock/ jazz/ fusion ones are the best with great playing and searching for the right note everytime! I wish you all the best! You are really an amazing player and I hope one day to record some rock/ jazz/ fusion like you have done! - Francesco Fareri / Italian Guitarist Extraordinaire / Recording Artist..
"I think Eric Mantel is a guitar player of definite quality with something significant to say in his songwriting, it was a pleasure to have him on the Guitars at an Exhibition volumes 1 & 2 compilation CDs!" - Tom Hess / Neo-Classical Guitarist Extraordinaire...
“I was impressed by your technique and multitude of styles. The band sounds very professional and the recording was well done. Keep following your spirit. I also like your chord voicings, it is good to hear a guitar player that can use different fingerings then the standard bar, open and power chords. Great pentatonics chops too.” - Kevin M. Buck - Rock / Metal Guitarist Extraordinaire...
"No senseless flash, just solid, melodic lead guitar playing over polished memorable tunes in a wide variety of great musical styles." - Dave Benziger / Guitarist Extraordinaire
“No senseless flash, just solid, melodic lead guitar playing over polished memorable tunes in a wide variety of great musical styles.” - Dave Benziger / Rock Guitarist Extraordinare...
"I think you play well and cover a wide range stylistically.” - Johnny Monaco / Guitarist for Enuff Znuff
"Mantel has eclipsed most local players in his mastery of the instrument to become not just another guitar player, but rather a guitar virtuoso. Rather than emulate the 4 chord hits by "the flavor of the day" guitarists, Mantel studied the many styles of playing guitar. Mantel is one of the very few guitarists in the region who can rip out any of a dozen styles on demand from basic Chuck Berry rock riffs to the screaming heavy metal licks of Michael Schenker, from the bluegrass pickings of Bill Monroe to the Rockabilly of Cliff Gallup; from Dick Dale's surf tones to the classical fingerstyle playing of Andreas Segovia; from bottle-neck blues of Elmore James to the be-bop/jazz sound of Wes Montgomery" - Tom Lounges / The Times
"Through the haze of the footlights, I caught a glimpse of Mantel's classical rock style for the first time, drawn in by the clever guitarists scorching riffs. Catching me completely off guard, the quick changes and smooth lead patterns were methodically delivered with precise technical fortitude. And then, those vocals, Mantel alone under the spot, his whispy lyric opening the door to a heightened, sensual consciousness of what rock and roll is truly all about. The liberating longing for some harmonic sense of time and place, fed the audience a psychedelic picnic of rock and roll re-dux, "the way it's supposed to be." - Bambi Ackerman / Chicago Music Magazine
"Eric Mantel has it all: Excellent Tone! - Awesome Technique! - Versatility! - Great Songwriting and composing abilities plus he can sing on top if it all, is there such a thing as being over talented?" - Tamara Kinch / The Times
"Eric Mantel will one day be mentioned along side Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Larry Carlton." - Tom Lounges / The Times
"Like those players (Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani), he's an accomplished guitarist" - Nick Flandry / Illinois Entertainer
"Versatility is the word that comes to mind when you're talking about Eric Mantel" - Mark Perry / The Star
"It's obvious from the variety of styles, that you are accomplished and have a lot to offer the music industry" - R. Clay Spivey - Artist Relations / Peavey
"We are proud to have people with impressive credentials such as yours playing our instruments." - Peter Bowers (Artist Relations) / Washburn
"While there may be a few better known guitarists in the Midwest, one would be hard pressed to find one with as much dexterity in every musical style as Mantel. A versatile guitarist Mantel is often mentioned in the same breath as Eric Johnson, Albert Lee, Michael Hedges, etc." -Tom Lounges / The Times - Eric Mantel: guitarist for all genres
"Listen to his "eclectic original music and you can hear anything from acoustic blues, to Pat Metheny-esque jazz runs, to harder Eddie Van Halen-ish speedy metal guitar" - Scott B. Hersey / The Southtown Economist Economist
"For awhile now you might have walked into a few music stores or clubs and seen the name Eric Mantel. You might have wondered who is this guy? Eric Mantel is one of Chicago's best kept secrets and and a Guitar Virtuoso." - Dave Davies / Street Rock Magazine
"Eric Mantel is a positive person. He is a talented person. He is a person that takes the value of music very seriously - not only as a career, but as a positive life force." - Jeanena Spencer / CAMM Magazine
"Eric Mantel is one of the most talented guitar player / songwriters I have seen in many, many years. His music is very exciting with something for everyone." - Teri Olling / Chicago Music Magazine
"The guitar work of Eric Mantel reaches new heights of creativity. It's soft, gentle and kind. It will push you forth into somewhere-land; the place where dreams come from." - Brenda Mullen - U.S. Rocker Magazine / East Coast Monthly
"If musical success was based purely on talent alone, Chicago guitar virtuoso Eric Mantel would have been perched on top years ago. He is the kind of musician most players aspire to be, in command of a dizzying array of styles and techniques. An eclectic composer, Mantel ties together influences as diverse as the blues, Baroque music, and Frank Zappa into a sound that few others could create." - Mike O'Cull / In The Mix Magazine
"I think there is plenty of room for someone who plays as good as Eric Johnson. I wish more people would play with as much feel and technique as you do. Too many releases today are flavor of the month and have little talent in the guitar playing area. This is not the case with you. I have over 7,500 CD's and listen to a lot of music. Your new CD is definitely one of the best releases in the last year that I have purchased. You fall into a group of great guitar players that should be famous, Carl Filipiak, Scott Bradoka, Michael Fath, Shawn Lane, Carl Verhayen, etc. - Mark Nicholson / Fan
"Mantel is a meticulous recording artist, a talented songwriter and a true guitar virtuoso in the broadest sense of the word. Unlike most guitar heroes who are masterful in one specific style, Mantel's playing runs the gamut from delicate finger picking to slide running blues to jazzy improvisation to shredding a la Yngwie Malmsteen." - Tom Lounges / The Times
OFFICIAL Biography Written by Terry Wiza
Eric Mantel - Guitarist / Singer / Songwriter / Composer / Poet / Multi-Instrumentalist / Producer
Giving birth to Eric Mantel must have been a monumental task considering he probably emerged from the womb singing and strumming a guitar. With his outstanding creative streak, he most likely used the umbilical chord to plug into the universe.
And the universe, hiding the one who has been called, "Chicago’s best kept secret," is parting its sky for Eric Mantel. Plunging as if on a bungee chord, Mantel splashes onto the shores of Lake Michigan and emerges into the music scene as a hurricane rushes to shore, leaving everyone "whet" with an appetite for more. This singer/songwriter/guitar virtuoso is Chicago’s secret revealed ...quot; the universe has let go its hold ...quot; Eric Mantel has arrived.
The youngest of six children, Eric William Mantel was born on February 5, 1963 to his mother, Mary, a professional voice artist/actress, who appeared in radio and t.v. commercials and who was the "Storybook Lady" on the Ray Rayner Show (a WGN, Chicago, televised presentation), and to his father, Harry Mantel, a journalist/editor for WMAQ radio (NBC News) in Chicago.
Coming from such an artistic family, which includes three sisters and two brothers, it is no wonder that this phenomenal artist began honing his innate skills a mere ten years after his birth (1973).
His first real gig, however, didn’t occur until he turned 14 (1977). Already semi-professional, Eric performed in his very first band called “EMERETH” before 800 people , entertaining his peers at O. W. Huth Junior High School in Matteson, Illinois. A guitar prodigy at the age of 14 Eric was playing note-for-note songs by The Beatles, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Steve Howe, Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, many others. Audiences everywhere were blown away by this young guitar prodigy!
Mantel’s influences reflect the eclectic diversity that defines him: Fans and critics alike compare Eric’s songwriting skills to that of Todd Rundgren, The Beatles, Sting (The Police), Greg Lake (ELP), so on and so on. They compare his guitar playing expertise to that of Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Morse, Danny Gatton, Jimi Hendrix, Chet Atkins, Albert Lee, Wes Montgomery, Andres Segovia, Phil Keaggy, Michael Hedges, Pat Metheny, Lenny Breau, plus many others.
Eric’s approach, a plethora of styles weaved from all his influences and combined with his own innovative touch, is a beautiful kaleidoscope of rock, jazz, melodic fusion, country, bluegrass, blues, R & B, funk, pop, classical, ragtime, and more.
It was Eric’s older brother Jon Mantel (a guitarist) who inspired Eric to start playing guitar in 1973. Eric listened to his brother’s record and tape collection, which included: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Cream, The Guess Who, many others. Eric learned many Beatle songs and became a complete Beatle freak ditching school just to watch a “Hard Days Night” on TV. Eric started singing and playing the piano during this time as well. In 1975 Eric started listening to ELP, YES, The Moody Blues, Robin Trower, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck, Jethro Tull, many others! In 1976 Frampton Comes Alive LP came out and Eric became a Peter Frampton freak, learning every Peter Frampton song there was on the album! Eric was also learning Steve Howe and Jeff Beck songs note for note. In 1977 a friend turned Eric onto RUSH and Eric started learning all their songs!
Between 1977 and 1989 Eric played in many different various rock bands, did a lot of recording and studied with many private guitar teachers in all styles of music: Classical, Jazz, Country, Ragtime, Blues, Reggae, etc. In 1978 He played in his high school Jazz band, took private lessons with a Berklee School of Music guitar teacher by the name of Bob Mirallis and was turned onto Pat Metheny, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, John McLaughlin, Bill Connors, Al DiMeloa, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs), Ted Greene, Lenny Breau, many others! In 1978 Eric joined the Progressive Rock group ”NRG” (Yes, ELP, Kansas, Utopia...) that same year Eric became a big fan of Todd Rundgren’s music! In 1979 Eric played in the pop/punk/rock group “The Droogs” (The Bealtes, Elvis Costello, Sex Pistols...) The drummer in the Droogs “Fallon Williams” moved to England in the early 80’s and started playing drums for Steve Marriot of Humble Pie, Fallon toured with Steve Marriot for many years. Eric started teaching guitar professionally in 1979.
In 1980 Eric joined a Pop/Rock/New Wave/Ska Band out of Park Forest, IL. The band was briefly managed by the famous Park Forester Tom Zutaut. Tom was the executive A&R for Geffen records and signed the bands Berlin, Guns N Roses, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, Motley Crew, Dokken, Tesla, plus many others! Kim Thayil the guitarist from the multi-platinum selling 90s rock band Sound Garden was also from Park Forest, IL and was in a band called Identity Crisis in 1979-80. In 1981 Eric Joined an original Progressive rock group for a short period of time called “Dark Horse”. In later 1981 Eric formed an all original Hard Rock band called “Spice” which played everywhere and recorded a 5 song EP. In 1982 Eric was in in the Jeff Douglas Group as a sideman playing all over! In 1982 Eric started transcribing after reading an Article on Steve Vai in Guitar Player magazine. Eric was soon transcribing Allan Holdsworth and Steve Morse compositions! Eric attended Prairie State College where he studied music theory, composition, classical guitar, violin, piano, etc.
In early 1983, at the age of 19, Eric independently released his first solo album, Montage, featuring Marc Levinson on drums and Eric Levinson on keyboards and Ron Hansen on Bass. This record showcased Eric’s prolific songwriting skills and his virtuosic guitar playing, all at the age of 19. Progressive pop / jazzy songwriting with fusion guitar playing is a good way to describe Montage, imagine Allan Holdsworth meets Todd Rundgren meets the Police... Keep in mind that this was before Steve Vai's "Flexable", Joe Satriani's "Not of This Earth" and Eric Johnson's "Tones", etc. The album revealed that Eric was way ahead of his time and a pioneer of the 80’s guitar hero genre, unfortunately Montage never got the attention that it should have and Eric spent most of the 80’s living in obscurity. In 1986 Eric was turned onto Eric Johnson’s “TONES” LP and became very inspired by Eric’s artistry. Eric felt a very strong spiritual connection to EJ and his music. Eric had the same EXACT musical vision that EJ had, which was combining many styles of music with vocal songs! Eric played in the rock band “Ring” and then in 1987 Eric put together his own private recording studio and started recording a lot of new music. In 1988 Eric joined the Alternative Rock Band “The Escape”, which did a video and a 5 song EP. In the late 80’s Eric established Holistic Music Enterprises (so named because Eric believes in the healing and spiritually uplifting quality of music).
In 1990, with his new band, "The Eric Mantel Trio," Eric released a 12 song LP entitled The Politics Of Experience, an electric sizzle of sound that received rave reviews from local and national critics and even gave Eric some international attention. The release got Eric featured in Guitar Player magazine’s “Spot Light” column by Mike Varney (April 1991) and also in Guitar World magazine’s “Homewtown Heroes” (May 1991). The publicity gave Eric over night international attention and fan mail from around the globe. During his "Experience" days, Eric signed an artist development contract with agent Peter Katsis (now the vice president of the Firm in L.A. ) The Firm has worked with the Backstreet Boys, Michael Jackson, etc. Peter Katsis presently manages Limp Bizkit, Korn and others. Peter heard “The Politics of Experience” and said “I can get this guy a record deal” Peter felt very confident about this. Peter put Eric in the legendary Streetervillle Recording Studio, located in Chicago, to record some new material. Peter started shopping Eric’s new demo and even gave Todd Rundgren’s manager Mary Lou Arnold a tape of Eric’s music in hopes that Todd would produce Eric’s debut solo album. Nine months later Eric’s contract ran out, there was no record deal, Eric’s band fell apart, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone
Temple Pilots, Sound Garden... were all over the radio and nobody cared about listening to a guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter out of Chicago. In early 1992 Eric decided to take a break from the music business and stopped live performing.
In April of 1992 Eric launched the Midwest’s premier guitar instruction service and devoted his time to teaching, which he had already been doing since 1979. Eric has taught over 3,500 students and instructs his students with concentrated, accelerated, and challenging lessons. In 1995, Mantel focused on the acoustic side of his personality when he released, A Time To Remember, which includes four guest tracks by violinist David Ragsdale from the multi-platinum rock band, Kansas. The CD showcased Eric's fingerstyle abilities A la Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke, Phil Keaggy, Michael Hedges, etc.
Eric has played at various establishments all over and has opened for a list of National acts: John Campbell, Robben Ford, Danny Gatton, Bassist Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Scott Henderson, Vinnie Moore, Allan Holdsworth, Michael Angelo, and many others. Highly respected for his firmly established and tremendously successful guitar instruction business (in operation for over 25 years), Eric has also been done many guitar clinics through out the Midwest. Eric is a Taylor Guitar Artist and you can find his name on the Taylor Guitar website under recording artists in between the names of Madonna and Maroon5. Eric is endorsed by ghs strings, Rocktron, Sabine guitar tuners, APC pickups, Jim Dunlop, Conquest Cable, others. Past endorsements include Washburn guitars, Trace Elliot, Peavey (regional), others.
Besides being featured in Guitar Player & Guitar World magazines, Eric has been featured in many other various publications, among them, Local Live Chicago Magazine, In The Mix, The Illinois Entertainer, CAMM, Street Rock, The Midwest BEAT, Chicago Music Magazine, The U.S. Rocker (East Coast Monthly), Star Publications, The Daily Southtown, The Indiana Times, and many others.
While teaching is one outlet for this gifted musician, singing, composing, and playing are what he loves most. In his life quest, Eric Mantel, the man, continues to grow as an entertainer and as an instructor. He is in the process of releasing his new CD, The Unstruck Melody, with a projected release date in spring 2005. Eric Mantel, singer/songwriter/teacher, a musician of extraordinary talent, maneuvers through his day like a man plugged into an electrical socket. He has discovered a chord within the universe that, when tapped into, generates enough electricity to form a bolt of lightening. He not only plays the music, he is the music, providing voltage and amps from his own reservoir of energy. Plug into the electric energy of the only hurricane to hit Chicago, Eric Mantel. For more information please visit www.ericmantel.com
Thank you - Stephanie Wilson / Artist Management
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