2025 Competition Entry:

Gravity by Eric Richard Stone

Genre

Folk

Co-writer(s)

no

Performer(s)

Just myself: Eric Richard Stone

Description

Love between opposite personality types. Opposites attract.

Bio

A seasoned veteran songwriter and performer, Eric Richard Stone has shared the stage with the likes of John Denver, Chuck Pyle, and Tom Rush. He recorded his first album in 1983. His next recording was 30 years later in 2013 with “Junk Yard Dog”. What happened during those 30 years could best be described as “Life”. Marriage, grad school, a career as a wildlife biologist and then natural resource manager, raised three children, unemployed, divorced, and turned to music again. Now, 38 years and eight CDs later, he is just hitting his stride. Stone says, “sometimes the songwriting trickles out, and other times it gushes like a swollen mountain stream in spring-melt runoff.”
Now performing solo, duo with Mandolinist Tom Hall and trio with Patricia Wolter on bass as “StoneHall”, small venues or at festivals like Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Festival, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, High Mountain Hay Fever and Red Lodge Songwriter Festival, Stone’s impassioned music is captivating. “StoneHall” features practiced and funny stagecraft and rapport between Stone and mandolinist, Tom Hall; fine songwriting by each, and beautiful vocal harmonies.
Stone’s latest release “Feathers & Stones” (2022) brings together accompaniment from producer, Ray Smith, Hall’s mandolin, and bluegrass banjo and dobro from well-known Kentuckian, Aaron Bibelhauser.
Previous releases, “Kitchen Table” (April 2021), Just Before Dawn (2020), After The Storm (June, 2020), Fire, Waterfall & Wave (2019), Song Heroes Vol. 1 (2019) Circle Round The Sun (2016) and Junk Yard Dog (2013) render blends of original soul-grabbing ballads and traditional bluegrass and folk songs in a fashion reminiscent of Tim O’Brien, Darrell Scott, or David Mallett.
Stone’s performance credits include the following Festivals: Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, High Mountain Hay Fever, Pagosa Folk N’ Bluegrass, Four Corners Folk Festival, Ned Fest, Frozen Dead Guy Days, Paddle Fest, 14er Fest, Red Lodge Songwriter Festival. He has shared the stage or opened for Utah Phillips, John Denver, Tom Rush, Chuck Pyle, StrangeByrds, David Mallett.

Here’s what others are saying about Eric Richard Stone.

Eric Richard Stone has been creating Americana music since well before it was labeled as such and the lessons he’s learned along the way come to fruition in a most beautiful way on this new album. There’s much to enjoy here, not the least of which is the diversity of sounds. The album mixes originals with a variety of traditional songs that feel completely at home with Stone’s warm and friendly vocals. On his originals, one hears his years of practice in the craft of finding the perfect arrangement of words to paint a picture or tell a story. Listening to this album I’m reminded of Tom Rush which is not surprising as he’s one of the many Folk/ Americana artists Stone has worked with over the years. Simply fine music. -Kevin Slick, President, Colorado Bluegrass Music Society.

Full of a positivity, hope, and understanding, Eric’s music has an uninhibited strength and exuberance that makes you want to sing along, and it leads effortlessly to the gorgeous original melodies. The kind and patient wisdom in the songs that Eric writes as well as those he chooses to cover is unmistakable throughout the album. – Kate Lee & Forrest O’Connor

Eric’s voice is expressive and soulful…and has only become more so with age. I am trying to say that Eric’s voice has a maturity that is alluring. Maybe that just comes from experience. Eric’s singing and songwriting, as well as stage presence are engaging! – Julie Hoest (Mother Folkers)

Eric’s songs all deliver on creative melodies, powerfully sung; a soulful collection that highlights Eric’s vocal talents. A bit like a house concert, his music is intimate and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. You will too. – Bonnie & Taylor Sims (Bonnie and the Clydes, Everyone Loves An Outlaw, Big Richard)

Lyrics

Gravity
©Eric Richard Stone2024
Em C
He stares at a bleach white sky
D
Up through the forest boughs
Em C
He’s got no bearing or direction
D
Not sure of why or how
C D
His mood is dark and heavy
Em
Mind and body numb
C D
Just trying to hold it steady
Em
It’s the person he’s become

C D
Warm feet, Cold Heart
Em
That’s all he’s looking for
C D
Nothing to lose if there’s no one who
Em
Can hurt you anymore

She glitters like the Hummingbird guitar
In that Gibson showroom case
She takes the stage just to display
That smile upon her face
But when the show is over
And sodium lights are dim
She peers into the corners
Of that stage of life she’s in

Cold Feet, warm heart
That’s how she sleeps at night
But deep inside she can’t decide
If she should stand her ground and fight

Chorus
G D
As different as the sun and moon
A C
Without a planet to grace
G D
One the source of light and warmth
A C
One as cold as outer space
G D
They orbit ’round each other
A C
Til gravity pulls them in
G A
And when their worlds collide
C A A (C)
It’s like they’ve always been.

Her first glance was his second chance
As opposites attract
Whatever happened next
Was not an artifact
Not a polaroid photograph
Of the life they could have made
But the real deal that love reveals
When the view you choose displays

Warm skin, Breath in
The smell of love and lust
After a while, after the miles
Only time builds into trust

Chorus

Love can leave you hanging
Sometimes it lets you down
But sometimes love gets lucky
In the here and now

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