RICH EILBERT

Short Bio

A prolific singer/songwriter, I engage audiences with catchy originals and cover tunes, accompanying myself on acoustic guitar.  My songs have been recognized with awards in multiple national songwriting contests.  A number of these songs have gone semi-viral on my YouTube channel, which has received well over 100,000 unsolicited hits.   So far, I’ve released three professionally recorded CDs.  Locally, I founded and host the LOMA open mike in Lincoln, MA, going strong for nearly 10 years.

Biography

A native New Yorker, I've been living in the Boston area for many years. Originally, I took up guitar to sing covers. I'd jam whenever possible: especially at bluegrass festivals and at folk-music gatherings. Occasionally, I'd even write my own tunes.  Now, my emphasis has shifted toward writing my own songs and performing them.  Life is an ever-fascinating circus of activity and emotions. My songs are an outlet to observe and comment, but hopefully, not to judge (some exceptions apply). Currently, I hold US copyrights on over 70 original songs, with many more pending,  In my home town of Lincoln, I’ve run a well-attended open mike, LOMA, for nearly 10  years.

So far, I’ve issued three professionally recorded CDs.  All the songs were composed and authored by myself.  My first CD release, Back From the War, was released in 2009 to wide acclaim and airplay.  That was followed in 2014 with Building Seven Bridges and most recently my 2018 release of Destination Georgia

All of these CD contain award-winning songs.  These awards include finalist in the 2018 Podunk Bluegrass Songwrting Contest, 1^st honorable mention in  the 2017 Songwriters Association of Washington Contest and semi-finalist in the 2010 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest.   The popularity of my songs posted on my YouTube channel has perhaps been even more gratifying.   Several of these songs have gone semi-viral.  To date, the channel has received well over 100,000 unsolicited views.

Mostly, I perform around metropolitan Boston and the Northeast.  But I’ve made appearances in venues widely around the country.  I typically perform solo,  sometimes backed in a duo act or occasionally a full band.  I’ve been featured at venues such as the Big-E Expo, Providence’s PVDfest , the  Old Manse, Bemis Hall and the Coffee House on the Rocky Plain.

My songs vary from touching to catchy to outrageous, with a toe-tapping beat. I enjoy performing with backup musicians to add extra drive. Some of my musical influences are Allison Krauss, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Lowell George, the Grateful Dead, Emmylou Harris, Taylor Swift and Tim O’Brien.