Last month, National Public Radio began taking entries for its annual Tiny Desk Contest. As per usual, a number of Vermont acts submitted this year, in hopes of landing a coveted Tiny Desk Concert appearance and a national tour with NPR and Lagunitas.
Among these is local songwriter and current Honky Tonk Tuesday ringleader Eric George. His submission for his song "And When I Sing," was recently featured on the contest's Tumblr page, which is a clearinghouse for videos that have "caught the eyes and ears" of the contest's curators.
Here's what NPR Music scribe Ben Nadaff-Haffery had to say about George's tune:
Eric George, of Burlington, Vt., has a clear appreciation for the jaunty, big-hearted folk of Woody Guthrie. On the wall behind him, you can see a poster bearing a well-known Guthrie quote:
'I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good. I hate a song that makes you think that you are just born to lose … I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world.'
“And When I Sing” is very much on Guthrie’s side of that divide. With a swaying performance on his 12-string and spiritual accompaniment by a spotted pup, George has shared a slice of stirring self-affirmation and bracing goodwill.
We'd say that's just about spot on. Take a look and listen to George's video below. And check back soon, as we'll be posting other local TDC submissions as we find them. (If you're a local artist and you submitted to TDC, let us know!)
Bio:
Dan Bolles is Seven Days' assistant arts editor and also edits What's Good, the annual city guide to Burlington. He has received numerous state, regional and national awards for his coverage of the arts, music, sports and culture. He loves dogs, dark beer and the Boston Red Sox.
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