With a new record in their pockets and tighter group of musicians, Eric Lambert & Friends have refined their approach and taken off on a year of sharing their original rockin’ Americana music with a wider audience of fine-pickin’ music lovers. Expanded touring, new material, live show streaming, more recording, and fresh music videos are some of the things fans can anticipate for 2014. They also promise a newer, exciting listening and visual show experience.The ensemble ranges from a trio to a quartet, consistently featuring Eric Lambert on guitar, Pat Otto on mandolin, and the newest upright bassist Jake Cullen. “I believe the band has transformed from a good band to an outstanding live experience,” said Eric Lambert. “Pat Otto has upgraded our musicianship immeasurably. He brings energy and intensity, that overall, makes us a better band,” he shared. “Our ability to improvise in the moment has improved greatly with the addition of Jake Cullen on bass and our song list has become much deeper and much more diverse.”The band will perform in six states the first few months of the year as part of their Winter Wallow, making stops in Minneapolis, MN, Milwaukee, WI, Valparaiso, IN, Rockford, IL, Perrysburg, OH, Covington, KY, Chicago, IL, and the legendary Bill Monroe Music Park in Bean Blossom, IN for the John Hartford Memorial Festival in May. And that’s all before summer even starts! More shows are expected to be added.“I'm looking forward to our first run of the year, taking us up to Minneapolis, Winona, and Milwaukee,” said Eric. “I've always enjoyed Minneapolis and getting an opportunity to take the new band up there is exciting,” he said. “I hear the Icehouse in Minneapolis is a fine venue and we're pumped to perform there.” Many more great shows in the Midwest follow their northerly stops. And much more good news is in the works for the band and Eric Lambert & Friends fans.Eric Lambert & Friends new record, Maiden Voyage, topped the list of the 10 Best Chicagoland Albums of 2013 by music columnist Tom Lounges of The Times newspaper, and placed #22 on the International (Euro) Americana Music Chart. “Eric Lambert has released his finest collection of original songs to date,” said Tom Lounges. Roots music reviewer and DJ, Remo Ricaldone, from Italy said, “I think it’s an amazing collection of music that deserves to be known here.”The year ahead is glimmering with greatness for Eric Lambert & Friends. “Our minds are right and we're open and prepared for whatever comes our way. Bigger shows, more collaborations, international travel… the sky is the limit,” Eric concluded.Learn more about Eric Lambert & Friends and view a current list of their upcoming shows at www.ericlambert.com.Eric Lambert & Friends Winter Wallow 20141/15         Icehouse – Minneapolis, MN1/16         Ed’s No Name Bar – Winona, MN1/17         Linneman’s Riverwest Inn – Milwaukee, WI1/24          Mary’s Place – Rockford, IL1/25          Front Porch – Valparaiso, IN1/31          Whatever Bar – Kankakee, IL2/1           Tres Hombres – Carbondale, IL2/7            Twisted Q – Homewood, IL2/8            Two Brothers Roundhouse – Aurora, IL2/15          The High Note – Pekin, IL2/21          Max’s Place – Bloomington, IN2/22           Mary’s Place – Rockford, IL3/21           Blue Grass & Green Acres 2014 – Perrysburg, OH3/22           The Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center – Covington, KY *SOLD OUT*3/23           Uncommon Ground w/Heidi Howe – Chicago, IL4/ 5            Max’s Place – Bloomington, IN4/26           The Watering Hole – Howard, WI5/2             Lamasco Bar and Grill – Evansville, IN5/10           Takin' Time Concert Series – Clearwater, MN5/29-31     John Hartford Memorial Festival – Bean Blossom, IN