Eric Matthew Steckel is from the Lehigh area of Pennsylvania. Inspired by the Craig Thatcher Band and a 7th birthday gift of a Hohner Blues Harp from Uncle Dave, Eric made an impromptu appearance with the Jake Kaligis Band at The Shanty in Allentown in 1998. Eric soon became known around the Lehigh Valley for his energetic harp and vocal guest appearances at many Craig Thatcher and BC and the Blues Crew gigs.
After picking up his first Fender Stratocaster at the age of nine, there was no looking back. He has since shared the stage with a number of well known blues artists and recorded his first CD live in concert in 2002. In November of 2003 the Eric Steckel Band appeared at the Sarasota Blues Festival where Eric delighted the crowd with his powerful set and cameo appearances to become the talk of the day. He was introduced by John Mayall as the youngest person ever on stage with the Bluesbreakers.
in the Summer of 2004, Eric appeared in Sweden, Norway and Denmark as a special guest with John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers during their Scandinavian Tour and in early 2005 Eric traveled to Los Angeles where he joined Mayall for session work on the recently released Bluesbreaker's record titled "Road Dogs". Listen for Eric's lead guitar work on the track "Chaos in the Neighborhood".
Eric walks in the footsteps of Australian guitar wonder Nathan Cavaleri, with the difference that he not only plays the guitar, but also sings the blues with the spirit of a 65 year-old veteran.
