Eric Hughes is Memphis born and raised; he grew up loving the authentic sounds of the River City and the fertile region that surrounds it. After attending Mississippi College he joined the Marine Corps and found himself stationed far from home. Eric brought a guitar, hoping that learning some Memphis music would ease his homesickness. Those six strings not only delivered comfort but also set him on a pilgrimage. A decade of learning followed, traveling and studying the styles of various bluesmen. In 2001 Eric took up residency on the world-famous boulevard of the blues, Beale Street. Those first gigs have developed into 16 years of performances as a solo act, as part of a duo, and as front man for the Eric Hughes Band. On Beale, Hughes found that he could spread his musical message to visitors from around the globe. The experience has earned Hughes a fan base consisting of listeners world-wide. Over the years, Eric has released four records- earning a Muddy Mojo Award, two “Best Self-Produced CD” awards, as well as “Coolest Blues Song of the Year” by Big City Blues Magazine. Eric’s highly anticipated new release Meet Me in Memphis pays homage to the city that shaped him as an artist and as a person. Its title track draws on many of the things he loves about his hometown; he calls upon the blues and gospel foundations that are essential to the Memphis Sound. Rather than relegating the blues to the stuff of museum lore, this record keeps the blues relevant and continues its evolution into rock, country and soul. “I feel like this record is the culmination of a music career as an independent artist having many diverse influences, aside from merely blues. The songs tell who I am and where I’ve come from. I call upon everything I have learned in order to tell a story… that of a hard-working Memphis guy dedicated to his music” Eric explained. “The record itself was a community effort because I received the very first “Slim’s Front Loan”, a new Memphis Slim House program offering low interest loans to artists to produce and market their records. I also have students from the University of Memphis’ Music Business programs as part of my team. My fans have helped finance the album’s production. Meet Me in Memphis feels like my true introduction to the world” To bring these songs to life, Hughes called upon some of Memphis’ finest musical ambassadors. The band’s mainstays are Eric’s brother Walter Hughes on guitars, backing vocals, and mandolin, as well as Leo Goff (bass guitar), Brian Aylor (drums) and Chris Stephenson (keyboards). He enlisted saxophonist Art Edmaiston (Gregg Allman, JJ Grey and Mofro) and trumpeter Marc Franklin (Gregg Allman, John Nemeth) alongside vocalists Reba Russell (The Reba Russell Band) and Susan Marshall (Don Bryant, The Afghan Whigs). Join Eric Hughes as he continues his journey, adding to the legacy of great Memphis music. Check out this latest release, and take him up on his offer to Meet Me in Memphis.