ERIC JERARDI RETURNS WITH “THORNS & ROSES,” THE SECOND SINGLE FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM THE GAME

Apple Music Adds Jerardi to New in Rock for the Second Consecutive Single as “Setting Sun” Continues to Build Momentum Across Radio, Press and Video

DAYTON, OHIO — 8.21.26 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blues-rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Eric Jerardi releases “Thorns & Roses,” the second single from his forthcoming album The Game, due October 30. The new track follows the growing momentum of Jerardi’s first single, “Setting Sun,” and marks the second consecutive single from The Game to be added by Apple Music to its New in Rock playlist.

The back-to-back Apple Music support arrives as “Setting Sun” continues to build a larger story across radio, press, video and immersive audio. The single has been played on more than 50 radio stations across Americana, AAA, college and blues radio, while its official music video received a world premiere through Vintage Guitar Magazine, placing Jerardi in front of one of the most influential guitar-focused audiences in music media.

Adding to that momentum, Immersive Audio Album (IAA) selected “Setting Sun” as one of The Best Dolby Atmos Songs of Summer 2026, honoring the track’s immersive Dolby Atmos presentation and placing Jerardi alongside a notable group of artists that includes Peter Gabriel, the Grateful Dead, David Bowie and others featured on IAA’s exclusive ten-track summer list.

“Any time your name is mentioned in the same conversation as artists like Peter Gabriel, the Grateful Dead and David Bowie, you stop and take that in,” said Jerardi. “That kind of recognition means a lot, especially for a song as personal as ‘Setting Sun.’ We wanted the music to feel alive in every format, and the Dolby Atmos version gave the song another emotional dimension.”

“Thorns & Roses” now continues the rollout of The Game with a deeply felt story, a strong melodic center and the guitar-driven soul that has defined Jerardi’s career. The track balances grit and vulnerability, pairing a memorable groove with a lyric that explores love, consequence, perseverance and the emotional contradictions that shape a life fully lived.

“‘Thorns & Roses’ is one of those songs that feels personal but universal,” said Jerardi. “Everybody has had something beautiful in their life that came with pain attached to it. That’s what this song is about — the beauty, the scars, and the choice to keep walking through both.”

For longtime Jerardi collaborator and executive producer Allen Farst, the success of “Setting Sun” has helped establish the creative and commercial runway for the new single.

“‘Setting Sun’ opened the door in a powerful way,” said Farst. “It connected at radio, it reached guitar culture through Vintage Guitar, it earned Apple Music support, and then it received this incredible Dolby Atmos recognition from IAA as one of the top 10 best summer Atmos mixes! That gives ‘Thorns & Roses’ a real foundation to build from. This is the track we feel has major potential at radio and beyond.”

The new single arrives during a defining stretch for Jerardi. On September 11, he will perform at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as part of a prestigious event honoring those who served during 9/11. The appearance adds another meaningful milestone to an album campaign already gaining attention across streaming, radio, press and immersive audio communities.

“Playing The Kennedy Center on September 11 is an honor,” said Jerardi. “There are moments as an artist where the music becomes bigger than you. To be part of an event that recognizes service, sacrifice and remembrance is something I don’t take lightly.”

The forthcoming music video for “Thorns & Roses” will be released in the very near future, continuing the visual storytelling approach established with “Setting Sun.” While “Setting Sun” explored grief, memory and survivor’s guilt through a cinematic lens, “Thorns & Roses” is expected to expand the emotional world of The Game with a story-driven visual treatment that matches the song’s atmosphere and emotional depth.

“Eric has always had the guitar tone, the voice and the feel,” Farst said. “What’s exciting about this record is the storytelling. ‘Thorns & Roses’ has the kind of songcraft that can travel — it can live at radio, on streaming platforms, in a live room and in a music video. It feels like one of the songs that can really carry this album forward.”

The Game will be released October 30.

“Thorns & Roses” is available now on streaming platforms.

Eric Jerardi's - The Game

Eric Jerardi Announces New Album The Game, Arriving October 30

Eric Jerardi is setting the board for a powerful new chapter with the release of his upcoming album, The Game, due out Friday, October 30, 2026. Leading up to the full album release, Jerardi will roll out three singles across the summer and fall, giving listeners a steady preview of what’s to come.

The campaign begins with “Setting Sun”, arriving Friday, July 17, 2026. As the first single, it launches the road to The Game and offers the first glimpse into the sound, mood, and storytelling behind the new project.

Five weeks later, Jerardi returns with “Thorns & Roses” on Friday, August 21, 2026. The second single continues the album rollout, building anticipation while revealing another side of the record’s emotional and musical landscape.

The third single, “Unexpected Connections,” follows on Friday, September 25, 2026. Released five weeks after “Thorns & Roses,” the track serves as the final preview before the full album arrives.

Then, on Friday, October 30, 2026, Eric Jerardi will release The Game in full, with “Hard Being Here” set as the album’s focus track.

Release Schedule

July 17, 2026 — Single 1: “Setting Sun”
August 21, 2026 — Single 2: “Thorns & Roses”
September 25, 2026 — Single 3: “Unexpected Connections”
October 30, 2026 — Full album release: The Game
Focus track: “Hard Being Here”

In addition to the singles rollout, videos are also planned for each release, with partners premiering each release around the world.

With The Game, Jerardi invites listeners into a new collection of songs that unfolds one move at a time. From the campaign launch in July to the full album release in October, each single marks another step toward the complete story.

The Game arrives October 30, 2026.

ERIC JERARDI REVIEWED IN BLUES NEWS FINLAND

**Blues News Finland English Translation

The new ambassador for the Stella Artois beer brand is the singer-guitarist Eric Jerardi. Although he is probably an unknown name around this part of the world, Jerardi has been releasing albums at regular intervals since 1998, and this is his seventh release. There are only seven tracks on the album and the CD has the length of a vinyl record. Jerardi has written all the songs himself, except for "Don't Take It So Personally", which is Jerry Williams/Jeff Healey song.

The music on this album is soul blues, it's refreshing to play something outside of your favourite genre. The mood is pleasantly relaxed, the songs flow smoothly forward.

Well played, well produced. All areas are in order. I find myself liking this record.

Blues Festival Guide

Jerardi’s trademark soulful vocals and bluesy guitar sounds literally drip throughout the new album.

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