Reader Spotlight: Eric Vogel

Meet Eric Vogel, our player in the spotlight for February 9, 2010.

Bio:

I play with a fantastic Funk/Rock Band from New Orleans called Big Sam’s Funky Nation, led by Big Sam Williams on trombone. We tour domestically and internationally playing major music events/festivals during the entire year. We recently recorded a song for the Saints football team which is the “unofficial” official song for the Saints this season and is used all over television and radio. Prior to this group, I toured with Fred Wesley of James Brown’s band (and of course, Parliament) with a funk/jazz fusion group called Groovesect. And prior to that, I was setting up my roots playing with Regi Wooten (Victor’s Brother) and the Wooten Brothers in Nashville. I am very close with the Wooten family and credit them for rearing me in the right direction and helping me to develop my sense of pocket, especially on gigs with Regi.

Location:

New Orleans, LA, US

Day gig:

During the day I trade futures and options independently. I have my own capital and trade the index, currency, and commodity futures daily — specfically the ES and ZG (S&P futures and Gold futures) and the grains as well (Soy, corn, wheat sometimes). If I want to play individual stocks, then I trade their options. I’m up every day at 7am. I have a degree in finance from Tulane University.

Years experience:

11 years

Bands & Gigs:

I am in Big Sam’s Funky Nation. We tour domestically and internationally, having performed for a week in Brazil, touring across Europe (sponsored by Southern Comfort alcohol) and soon to be 10 days in Greece in February. We always do well in major metropolitan cities in the US and stay busy throughout the year, including the winter months. We are definitely on the “scene” and play the majority of the summer music festivals. Any “major” summer jam band festivals that I haven’t done with this band, I did with Groovesect and Fred Wesley. We are close friends with everyone ranging from Soulive and Lettuce to Robert Randolph and the Roots.

Gear:

• Pre Gibson 4 string Tobias Bass Guitar w Hipshot (drops E string to Low D)
• Eden 410XLT
• Boss Ocatve Pedal
• Boss Bass Synth Wah

Why I play the bass:

I never wanted to play bass. I had purchased a bass to be in a ska band in middle school and thought bass was all boring and just root notes. Just a bum bum bum sort of thing, but then I heard the Flecktones and some sly and heard victor and larry graham thumping–I had never heard that before and my interest instantly peaked. I never knew you could thump and pluck the bass and really groove with it. The percussive aspect of the bass at that time instantly became its selling point.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

My bass claim to fame is that I have been able to travel the world and the United States, with all expenses paid, PLUS PAY, to play music for adoring fans and music lovers. Also, Something that means a lot to me is the friendship I have with Victor and Regi Wooten — it is everything to me and the reason why I am where I am today. I’ve also been on LIVE! with Regis and Kelly and played for thousands of people while on stage

My influences

Musically and in Life, first and foremost, my best friend, Regi Wooten. Victor Wooten, of course, for showing me that literally anything is possible on bass. Larry Graham, for showing me that you don’t have to play a bass, you can beat it. And all the bass players and musicians who have already done everything before me. My father is the biggest inspiration to me in my life. He is a university professor in Nashville.

More on the web:

• Youtube
• Facebook
• MySpace