Country Music - Eric Heatherly
Eric Heatherly was only five when he could listen to a song and play it back by ear on his guitar. Growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Heatherly played an old acoustic guitar until his fingers would bleed. Earning a music scholarship at Chattanooga State, Eric's academic focus waned due to his longing to take his music on the road. In 1991, Eric entered Music City at a time when all country artists were wearing a cowboy hat and boots. Heatherly was offered deals if he'd alter his image, but was not willing to do so. Making a living parking cars and painting houses, Eric would perform at clubs on the weekends, eliciting mixed reactions because of his long sideburns and thrift store clothing. Chosen out of necessity, Heatherly and his band could dress in vintage clothing and wing-tipped shoes for under $20, it was the unusual clothing that originally brought the group fame with the college crowd. Their popularity attracted the attention of Mercury Records, who signed Eric in 1997. Still waiting for their big break in 1999, Erick and friend Michael Hood conceived an idea for a seat belt buckle guitar strap, which they devised from junk yard parts. The Hot Rod Guitar Strap was shown in his successful video, Flowers on the Wall, and was sought after by big music artists and a distribution deal was formed. Billboard named Heatherly the #4 Top New Artist of the Year for Flowers on the Wall. After difficulties stemming from a label merge, Heatherly established his own label, NashVegas Recording Company.
