continued forward,
creating the Kings of
Oblivion.
The band features
a wide range of
music genres at their
shows. Their website
defines it as: “a mix
of classic rock, blues
and Indie rock, along
with a handful of
classic country tunes.”
They play popular
covers of long-time
favorites, everything
from Johnny Cash to
Tom Petty, with more
obscure bands sprinkled in to jazz it up. Eric shares, “If we could play
all Tom Petty, all night long, not only would we be the most popular
cover band, but I’d love it too! Whenever we start to feel like we’re
dragging in a show, we play Petty and it works every time. People love
his music, because he’s got so many great songs, and everybody knows
all the words.” Playing songs that people know and like is important,
because it’s a way of making them feel included and letting them
participate in dancing or singing along with the band. It brings people
together and creates an enjoyable experience for everyone. The band
can play amazing acoustic, but also include innovative technology. This
allows them to incorporate other electrical instruments and music into
what they are physically playing live at the same time.
Besides Yankton, the men play at small venues such as the Crash,
Boom Bang bar behind the Hard Rock Casino in Sioux City, IA, the
Green Diamond bar in NE, and the Schnitz in Menno, SD amongst
many others. The Kings prefer to stay relatively close to home, and
usually don’t travel further than two hours away for performances.
This is especially true in winter. They will happily venture out for
special occasions such as weddings, and private parties though. They
don’t perform in Sioux Falls, SD or Omaha, NE, because these larger
cities are overly saturated with local musicians that are favorite go-tos
for the public. Both James and Eric have lived all over the country, but
Eric says that, “because of the opportunities I’ve been given here, I’ve
made more money in Yankton than I did in any other city I’ve lived in.”
This is chiefly because of the usual competition found in larger cities.
Many bands will play for free or very cheaply, just to get some public
exposure and their foot in the door.
James and Eric are true professionals. They calmly and efficiently
set up their musical equipment with clock-like precision. They start on
time and rock tirelessly for three hours, with only a swig of water now
and then. They vary their play list depending on audience
preference, and song requests. Some
crowds like more
country, while others
more eighties music.
James preplans all
the set lists and
sometimes, likes to
try and challenge Eric
by having songs in
the playlist that they
haven’t done in years.
This happens more
often in the summer
when they have four
shows on a weekend,
and want to play
different material to
keep it fun. Eric in
turn, gladly makes
it happen and likes it, “because it keeps me on the ball.” Sometimes
they have gigs in larger venues and will include a drummer. The Kings
have been playing together so long that they have at least ten hours of
material readily available. Eric shares that “James and I are working
musicians and we like it that way. Ideally, we’d like to play at least one
show together a week.” The men truly enjoy their live audiences, while
also appreciating the constant variety and creativity of their personal
musical pursuits.
Always busy, in addition to their shows and side projects, they
each play regularly at local businesses. James provides a wonderful
musical ambiance every Friday evening, for the customers at Willa B’s
Bistro. He’s often at the River’s Edge restaurant and also at the Yankton
Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s when it’s operating. Eric regularly plays
upstairs in the Copper Room at Ben’s Brewery and other venues such
as the Dakota Brick House in Vermillion, SD. The men intentionally
offer different material when performing solo than they do for their
Kings of Oblivion appearances. Eric also works part time at Avera
Hospital in Yankton as a surgical technician.
If that wasn’t enough activity, both men also give plenty of private
guitar lessons in the Yankton Mall to children and adults of all ages.
They started soon after Lanny Mollett retired and closed his wellknown music store. When asked what age is best for kids to begin
learning to play an
instrument, both agree
that it depends on
the child. Some are
naturally more mature
and motivated
than others. The
student needs to
have an adequate
attention span to
learn, discipline to
practice, and hand
strength to physically press down on
the strings to make a chord. Usually ten years old is the
youngest that seems to have all the prerequisite skills.
The Kings of Oblivion always give their audience a great show.
Their upcoming performance schedule is available on Facebook
with contact information too. James and Eric thrive on the thrill of
connecting with their fans and sharing their passion for performing
live. Equally gifted, the Kings are complementary yet distinct, together
they are a synchronistic gift for our ears. They are definitely Kings of
their craft. n
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