Eric Jerardi: Playing for Keeps in The Game

Biography

Eric Jerardi has built his life at the crossroads of soul and storytelling. A Dayton, Ohio native, his music blends weathered truth and raw finesse—equal parts grit, groove, and grace. Since 1997, he has released ten nationally distributed recordings, each one a milestone in his evolution as a soul‑soaked blues‑rock artist.

His 2019 album Occupied—produced by the legendary David Z (Prince, Etta James, Jonny Lang) and recorded with the famed Muscle Shoals rhythm section—was hailed for its depth, groove, and emotional resonance. Critics called it a “low-key, deeply felt masterpiece,” and audiences across the country echoed that sentiment with standing ovations and lasting loyalty. Yet Eric’s art has never been about virtuosity—it’s about connection. The subtle inflection of a vocal line. The space between notes that speaks louder than any solo. He plays not to impress, but to connect—and people feel it.

And now, with his upcoming album The Game, Jerardi returns with something even more personal. It started with a nudge—or rather, an ambush.

A close musical friend, refused to leave him alone. Relentless texts. Daily reminders. No escape. The challenge was deceptively simple: write 12 songs in 12 weeks. Every Wednesday morning, a text arrived with a phrase that had to be used verbatim in that week’s song—phrases Eric would never have chosen on his own. Miss the deadline, and you paid a fine. Miss too many, and you were out. No polish required. Just honesty and accountability.

What began as a game became a mirror.

Produced by Michael James (Robben Ford, Edwin McCain, New Radicals) and featuring the iconic Muscle Shoals backing vocals of Cindy and Marie, The Game is raw, lean, and unfiltered. It cost Eric twenty dollars, a little sleep, and a whole lot of truth. Worth every penny.

Beyond the music, Jerardi’s world continues to expand. At Jerardi’s Little Store in Dayton, fans travel from across the country—and around the world—to meet him, collect signed merch, and have Eric personally select wines from his curated collection. That same spirit lives on in his YouTube series Backroom Blues & Bottles, where stripped-down performances filmed in the store’s back room blend his two passions: music and wine.

Through it all, Eric Jerardi remains guided by the same principle that’s shaped his entire career—connection. Whether through a lyric written under pressure, a note held just long enough, or a bottle poured across the counter, he’s inviting people into something real.

The Game may have started as a dare. But Eric Jerardi played it exactly the way he always has—honestly, fearlessly, and all in.

CLICK to SEE how The Game prompts unfolded. 

Team & Execution Partners (Why This Campaign Is Built to Win)

This campaign is led by a proven execution team with the rare combination of high-end visual storytelling, major-label caliber audio production, and experienced national promotion—the three pillars that separate hobby releases from breakout artist campaigns.

Allen Farst — Executive Producer & Director
Allen is an acclaimed American director and filmmaker and a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), with a track record spanning music, documentary, high-end commercials, and celebrity photography. His work has been featured by major brands and outlets including Panasonic, Billboard, Bloomberg, Variety, USA Today, Nikon Cinema, Newsweek, Yahoo Finance, and Fox Business, among others. His award winning film chuck leavell: the tree man is the longest running film on delta airlines featuring the rolling stones, eric clapton, billy bob thornton and many others.  ALLEN FARST+2IMDb+2

Michael James — Producer & Mixing Engineer
MJ is an established record producer, mixing engineer, guitarist, and former A&R executive, with credits that include work with artists such as Edwin McCAIN, L7, New Radicals, A.J. Croce, AND Robin Ford among others. Wikipedia His own professional profile highlights that he mixes up to 250 songs per year across multiple genres and has mixed projects that achieved #1 chart performance internationally, underscoring both volume and competitive-level results. Michael James Producer

Mark Pucci — Publicity (National / Roots & Americana Proven)
Pucci brings deep industry experience going back to his work at Capricorn Records, where he served as a tour publicist and later National Publicity Director. His roster history includes major legacy and roots-adjacent artists such as The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Elvin Bishop, Delbert McClinton, Percy Sledge, and more. Welcome!
 

MAC Radio Promotions — Radio Promotion (Blues/Roots Specialty Expertise)
MAC Radio Promotions is a specialist radio promotion company focused on blues/roots campaigns. MAC is actively recognized in the blues promotion space and associated with professional radio promo work and industry outreach. Making A Scene!+1

Powderfinger Promotions - We’re proud to have David Avery, Founder & President leading radio promotion for The Game. David is one of the most trusted names in blues radio, with decades-long relationships across reporting stations, specialty programs, and syndicated shows. In a genre where credibility matters, having David on the team ensures this record is heard by the right ears—organically, authentically, and with long-term impact.

Distribution — Sony / The Orchard (Global Scale + Services)
Distribution through Sony’s ecosystem—via The Orchard—adds a major-grade pipeline for global delivery and artist services. The Orchard is described as a leading distribution company operating in 40+ markets worldwide, offering artist/label services including marketing, sync licensing, video services, rights management, data analysis, and both digital and physical distribution. Sony Music UK+2The Orchard - Music Distribution+2