Guitar-master, educator, and songwriter Eric Lambert returns to Colorado for the first time since performing at the 2011 Rockygrass festival. He has been on the move since then, and this time, he is bringing his own brand of original Acoustic-Americana dance music to the Front Range. Accompanied by a talented casts of musicians, Eric Lambert & Friends will be traveling up and down Colorado’s Front Range, from Nov. 24 – Dec. 10, making stops in cities along the way, including Fort Collins, Laporte, Denver, Pueblo, and Boulder. Special guest Chuck Morris, percussionist from Lotus, will be joining the band for two of the shows.
“It is so great to be returning to the beautiful state of Colorado to perform my music for old friends as well as new ones,” Eric shared. “I have a new line up in my band, and I can’t wait to get on the road with these guys and play for the music lovers of the Front Range.”
One of the newest members of the band is Lukas Simpson. From Goshen, IN, Lukas is a full-time musician and music educator involved in many projects including performing in the Goldmine Pickers, and Hard Travelin’ Boys, and teaching guitar, mandolin, and banjo at TG Music, Elkhart Premier Arts, and Northridge Middle School. He also studied mandolin and guitar at Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. This is Lukas’ first tour with Eric Lambert & Friends and first time touring the Front Range. His talent, approach, and thoughts about music make him an amazing fit and addition to the ensemble.
“I'm very excited about being a part of this tour with Eric Lambert & Friends,” said Lukas. “Everyone in the group is stellar, yet humble musicians who take a relaxed, melody-driven approach to acoustic music; also my approach. I feel like we all jive well together and will give our audiences something they can groove and relate to,” he said.
“Eric and I were talking the other day about our mutual affection for old-time music. The key difference between old-time and bluegrass is that old-time is dance music (traditionally contras, squares, circles) and bluegrass is performance music. Although I wouldn't categorize our music as either old-time or bluegrass, we're much more interested in getting our audience up and dancing than inundating them with speed and virtuosity,” Lukas concluded.
From Chicago, Eric Lambert & Friends are sweeping audiences off their feet, bringing happiness and positivity to everyone in their path with their interactive, high energy performances. Improvisation and artist interpretations are common, keeping the music and experience fresh from show to show.
The ensemble for the Front Range tour will feature Eric Lambert on lead guitar and vocals, Lukas Simpson on mandolin and vocals, Dan Rogers on bass, and Pat Fiddle on the fiddle and vocals. Special guest Chuck Morris of Lotus will be playing drums with the band for two shows; Nov. 24 at The Laughing Goat in Boulder and Dec. 10 at Sancho’s Broken Arrow in Denver.
This tour is going to heat up Colorado’s Front Range with an original, explosive musical experience for audiences of all ages. Be sure to see a show near you and let us know what you think.
Front Range Tour Dates:
Nov. 24: The Laughing Goat – Boulder, CO with Chuck Morris of Lotus
Nov. 27: Avogadro's Number – Fort Collins, CO
Nov. 28: Quixotes True Blue – Denver, CO
Nov. 30: Spotlight Music Café – Fort Collins, CO
Dec. 1: Bar Double S – Laporte, CO
Dec. 4: Conor O’Neill’s – Boulder, CO
Dec. 5: The Downtown Bar – Pueblo, CO
Dec. 6: Skylark Lounge – Denver, CO
Dec. 10: Sancho’s Broken Arrow – Denver, CO with Chuck Morris of Lotus
Dec. 12: Vaudeville Mews – Des Moines, IA
Dec. 13: Meadows Avenue Tap – East Peoria, IL
