I first met Eric Long back in 2016 when his band Hot Diggity Damn opened for my group Hibbity Dibbity at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco—our old stomping ground. Since then, we’ve become good friends, especially through his frequent collaborations with TENDREL regular Tom Relling.
Over the years, it’s been a joy to watch Eric carve out his lane—a little outlaw country, a little beer-soaked Jimmy Buffet, maximum vibe. His new album Honky Tonk Wisdom just dropped on Shaky Records, with Tom Relling playing on it too.
Eric’s the real deal—prolific, talented, and truly one of the best dudes around. Read on for some of his top 5s and do yourself a favor: grab the vinyl via Shaky Records.
Albums
Whiskey Before Breakfast - Norman Blake
John Prine - John Prine
Viva Terlingua - Jerry Jeff Walker
Songs You Know by Heart - Jimmy Buffett
American Beauty - Grateful Dean
John Prine - John Prine
Viva Terlingua - Jerry Jeff Walker
Songs You Know by Heart - Jimmy Buffett
American Beauty - Grateful Dean
Movies
Man on wire
A River runs through it
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
City Of God
Dreams
A River runs through it
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
City Of God
Dreams
Best dressed musicians
Gram Parsons
James Brown
Kris Kristofferson
Porter Wagoner
80s Bob Weir (I just love those dang short shorts)
Pedal Steel Players
Ralph Mooney
Buddy Emmons
Paul Franklin
Buddy Cage
Robert Randolph
Beers
Coors
Modelo
Rogue Dead Guy
Pliny
Any kind of beer really... Just not wheats and whits
Festy Bands
Grateful Dead & Co
Tedeschi Trucks
Railroad Earth
Jimmy Buffett (RIP that man threw a concert that just was a festival)
Del McCoury Band
Venues To Play
Vaudeville Stage - High Sierra Music Festival
Great American Music Hall
Plough and Stars
Living Rooms
Outdoor Spaces
Cities To Play
San Francisco, CA
York, PA
Tofino, BC
Ashland, OR
San Diego, CA
Festivals
High Sierra Music Festival
Joshua Tree Music Festival
Sugar Pine Music Festival
All Good 2008
Bonaroo 2007
Bay Area Musicians
Tom Relling
Rainbow Girls
Dave Zirbel
California Honeydrops
Chris Cain
Local Legends
Erin Chapin
Hannah Spero
My Dad
Pappy Teddy
Santa Claus
Happy Makin' Tunes
Stuck on My Baby - Anders Osbourne
Life is Beautiful - Keb Mo
Summertime - Mungo Jerry
I Must Be in a Good Place Now - Bobby Charles
Long Time Gone - Tim O’Brien, Darrell Scott
Album Covers
Mind Games - John Lennon
Sweetheart of the Rodeo - The Byrds
A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean - Jimmy Buffet
Apostrophe’ - Frank Zappa
My Feet are Smiling - Leo Kottke
Best Live Shows
Railroad Earth
The Derek Trucks Band
Chris Cain
Sturgill Simpson
Possessed By Paul James
Places To Kick It Outside
The Susquehanna River
Pacific Ocean
Vancouver Island
Snorkeling Hawaii
Cát Bà Island Vietnam