Erick Willis with Landon Hoffman

6:15 PM–7:15 PM — Landon Hoffman

7:30 PM–9:00 PM — Erick Willis

In a time when many artists are striving to find their identity, Erick Willis is slowly leaving his mark on the scene with a personality that is true and not just a stage persona. Taking cues from the music he was raised on, Erick blends soulful, melodic lyrics with the deep groove of roots rock and, as one of his lyrics says, “with some of the harder stuff.” Showcasing a smooth voice with an excellent upper register—uniquely gravelly at times and always pleasant to the ear—Erick brings plenty of soul to the mix, along with undeniably Texas-inspired lyrics.

Getting his start at an early age, Erick has been no stranger to performing. Growing up in Henrietta, Erick spent countless Sundays in church with his grandmother, learning to love the craft of singing through the choir and holiday specials. Erick found his passion for music through singing in the choir, traveling to perform in the Texasville Opry, Johnny High’s Country Music Show, the Texas Gold Country Music Show, and local talent shows. He never lost that drive. One might say Erick was born to perform and entertain, and they would be right.

Always one to recognize where he came from, Erick credits his mother for much of his success. As a single parent, she modeled the hard work and dedication required to raise Erick and his sisters. Erick carried that strong work ethic into his craft. His mother also helped influence his musical tastes through her immense love of hard-rock groups such as AC/DC, Whitesnake, and Journey. Erick’s grandfather, another major influence in his upbringing, introduced him to the golden age of country music.

Through a solid mix of musical styles and a great supporting cast of family and friends, Erick began to form a genuinely unique ear for music and a solid grasp on life and how to live. As a freshman in high school, Erick took a guitar class and began learning how to create his own blend of music. It did not take long for him to realize he had found his calling, and so began his journey as an independent artist. From open-mic nights and talent shows to late-night recordings at a friend’s home studio, Erick quickly found himself as a performer and not just a guy who could pick out a few chords.

Erick is poised to find success at a great level in this business. Through a unique approach to performing and writing, Erick will continue to be appreciated for many years to come and be no stranger to the joy that can be found when a melody through six strings meets the power of emotion in true lyrics.

Passion and depth are what make any good songwriter transition to the next level. Connecting with the audience is the ultimate key. Erick does that. The raw, heartfelt emotion in his delivery can convince even the harshest of critics.