Eric Henry Andersen

Eric Henry Andersen’s signature emotive tenor voice and award-winning songwriting has captured the hearts of audiences for over a decade. As co-lead singer/songwriter of pop/rock group, The Novelists, Andersen has toured all over the nation sharing festival bills with and opening for artists such as Train, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Allen Stone, Glenn Philips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) and Daryl Stuermer (Genesis/Phil Collins Band).  In February of... More

Eric Henry Andersen’s signature emotive tenor voice and award-winning songwriting has captured the hearts of audiences for over a decade. As co-lead singer/songwriter of pop/rock group, The Novelists, Andersen has toured all over the nation sharing festival bills with and opening for artists such as Train, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Allen Stone, Glenn Philips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) and Daryl Stuermer (Genesis/Phil Collins Band).  In February of 2022 Andersen released “Fundamental Force,” a four-song EP, largely reflecting on the tenuous state of the world. Such tracks as “Embrace the Fire,” “Our True Selves” and “What If It’s Not What It Seems” encourage listeners to reject the pull of divisiveness, so ever-present today—and to lean into our shared humanity.  Despite a global pandemic and a complete cancellation of live performances, 2020 was a busy year for Andersen. In May he was commissioned by the city of Reno, Artown and The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra to write and produce a song and music video on behalf of Reno in conjunction with a national city song project through the U.S. Conference of Mayors. With the help of long-time collaborators and dear friends Tom Gordon (recording/mixing/mastering/co-production) and Bryon Evans (filming/directing/editing), “Heartbeat to Heartbeat, Eye to Eye (From Reno with Love)” was born to the world on August 18, 2020. The song and video is a citywide collaboration featuring over 50 performing artists from around Reno. “We wanted to address the legitimate frustrations that are on all our minds right now, while simultaneously encouraging a message of strength, love and unity,” said Andersen of the project. “Working with such an eclectic, talented and enthusiastic cast of artists provided more than enough inspiration to deliver on that mission. Producing this song has truly been the honor of a lifetime.” The music video and song, “Heartbeat to Heartbeat, Eye to Eye (From Reno with Love)” which was created to assist Reno performing artists impacted by the pandemic, can be viewed on YouTube and streamed anywhere you listen to music.    2020 also saw the release of the EP, “Holding Space,” Andersen’s first solo project since 2012. “Holding Space” is a collection of songs about love, loss and transition. “It’s about owning one’s truth and realizing the beauty of impermanence,” Andersen says. The self-produced five song EP is rich with the melodic hooks we’ve grown to expect from Andersen and fans will find it to be his most cohesive and heartbreakingly sincere work yet.  Born and raised in Wisconsin, Andersen began playing the viola at the age of ten. As a member of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra he experienced the brilliance of Beethoven, Bach and Grieg first hand, providing a strong foundation for his future songwriting. At 14 he discovered piano rockers, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, and Elton John and his life changed forever. He soon began penning his own songs while incessantly consuming the music of Pink Floyd, Genesis, The Beatles, Kostia, Bruce Hornsby, Dave Mathews and so many others. “During high school I’d spend hours in the choir room playing the piano and ditching class. My friends thought I was crazy. I was obsessed,” says Andersen. In 2008, Eric moved to Reno, NV on a whim to accept a spot on the University of Nevada alpine ski racing team. Andersen’s devotion to music, however, soon eclipsed his commitment to ski racing and he decided to pursue a full-time career in music, quickly gaining a loyal following. During this time, he met many of the people who would become life-long friends and musical collaborators. The following year, he joined The Novelists as co-lead singer and songwriter. Over the past decade, his musical career has continued to evolve as a solo artist, member of The Novelists, TV music songwriter and session musician credited on dozens of projects.  Andersen is best known for his catchy, melodic and lyrically driven songs. To quote singer/songwriter Kate Cotter, “Andersen’s strong tenor voice is captivating. His grasp of technique, coupled with the nuance of raw emotion, rivals the best I’ve heard among any artist in the industry.” While Andersen’s music draws from themes of self-discovery, unwavering faith in the human spirit and overcoming adversity, his deadpan comedic stage presence never fails to draw a laugh from the audience. When Eric isn’t on tour or producing music, he performs regularly throughout the greater Reno/Tahoe area as a solo artist and in various other ensembles, including acoustic duos with singer/songwriters, Joel Ackerson (The Novelists Acoustic Duo/Andersen Ackerson) and Kate Cotter. He also performs occasionally with the Daryl Stuermer Band as a guest lead vocalist. In November of 2020, Andersen was appointed to the Reno Arts & Culture Commission, where he is currently serving a three-year term.  ** Eric is available to perform for private events as a soloist or as a member of any of the ensembles listed above. Please send an E-mail to: ericandersenmusic@gmail.com to inquire **   Notable Performances Sail Across the Sun - hosted by “Train” (with The Novelists)  TEDx University of Nevada (with The Novelists) Strawberry Music Festival (with The Novelists) California Worldfest (with The Novelists) Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium (with The Novelists) Boerner Botanical Gardens Summer Concert Series (with Daryl Stuermer of Genesis/Phil Collins) Sounds of Summer Concert Series (with Daryl Stuermer Band) The Latin Grammy Awards (with Maluma)  The Listening Room Festival (with The Novelists) Awards 2018 RGJ - Song of the Year - “With Drawl” - The Novelists 2017 FORTE Award - Best Pop Band - The Novelists 2017 FORTE Nomination - Male Vocalist 2016 Reno News and Review - Best Band - The Novelists Discography 2010 - “Plane Rides & Ocean Tides” - Independent Release 2011 - “The Beatles” - Gigatone Records 2012 - “Backstory” - True Story Records - The Novelists 2012 - “Close to Home” - Independent Release 2013 - “The Novelists Book Club” - True Story Records - The Novelists 2016 - “Breaking the Script” - True Story Records - The Novelists 2018 - “With Drawl” - True Story Records - The Novelists 2020 - “Holding Space” - Independent Release 2020 - “Heartbeat to Heartbeat, Eye to Eye (From Reno with Love)” - Independent Release TV Song Placements 2014 - SAF3:  “Saving Grace” 2019 - Baywatch Remastered: “You Take My Mind Off Of It” “The Current” “Waiting for You” “Stand Together” Credits Artist/Album/Track/Year Kate Cotter - Drink the Dessert - Drink the Dessert - 2010 - Bg Vocals Kate Cotter - Drink the Dessert - Bare - 2010 - Piano Tyler Stafford - On a String - 2011 - Co-Producer  Tyler Stafford - On a String - Calling Me - 2011 - BG Vocals/Piano Tyler Stafford - On a String - Lullaby - 2011 - String Arrangement  Tyler Stafford - On a String - Stranger - 2011 - String Arrangement  Tyler Stafford - On a String - Ghosts - 2011 - Organ/String Arrangement/Vocal Arrangement Tyler Stafford - On a String - On a String - 2011 - String Arrangement/Piano Tyler Stafford - On a String - Tomorrow Will Bring - 2011 - BG Vocals Tyler Stafford - On a String - My Song For Leaving - Tuba Arrangement/Vocal Arrangement  Tyler Stafford - On a String - Lime Tree - Organ/Bg Vocals Justin McMahon - The Opposite of Fun - The Economy of Meaning - 2013 - Piano Justin McMahon - The Opposite of Fun - Passerby - 2013 - Keyboards  Heather Aubrey Lloyd - A Message in the Mess - Even Now - 2015 - Bg Vocals Eric Henry Andersen, Khalilah Smith Cage, Cliff Porter, Kyle Rea, Shaughn Richardson, Reno Jazz Syndicate, The Reno Phil - Heartbeat to Heartbeat, Eye to Eye (From Reno with Love) - Lead vocals, Piano, Producer Music Videos 2020 - “Heartbeat to Heartbeat, Eye to Eye (From Reno with Love)” - Eric Henry Andersen, Khalilah Smith Cage, Cliff Porter, Kyle Rea, Shaughn Richardson, Reno Jazz Syndicate, The Reno Phil, Artown, City of Reno 2018 - “Above the Hiding” - The Novelists  2016 - “Morris & Estelle” - The Novelists Other 2018 - The Voice Slot Machine - Lead Vocals and Performance on “Calling All Angels” by Train and “Counting Stars” by One Republic. 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