Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Vasquez.
Hi Eric, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a teenager, my first band was the Sonomatics with my childhood friend Nick Colonna. His father, Rodney Colonna played with Big Momma Thornton, Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray & Jimmie Vaughan back in 70’s and was a big inspiration to me musically.
I played as a drummer for hire for 15 years and then Covid hit and most bands were put on the sidelines. I felt this was my chance to come out with a bang and started my own band, The Prairie Rattlers with Steel Player, Dan “Danimal” Johnson from Hank III. The Prairie Rattlers play a unique mix of Jump & Jive Mid-Century Rock, Barn Burning Honky Tonk, & Outlaw Country with Tejano Flair.
In the first 90 days, The Prairie Rattlers were nominated Top 3 Finalist for Best Band in New Braunfels by the Herald-Zeitung, under Wade Bowen & Randy Rodgers Band.
In 2021, the Prairie Rattlers were featured on Fox 7 Good Day Austin and opened for Dale Watson, Linda Gail Lewis, Two Tons of Steel & Creed Fisher. They will be opening for Wayne the Train on June 3rd at Riley’s Tavern in Hunter.
As venues began seeing the quality of bands I played in, they started asking me to book bands for them. In 2021, I started Booker-E Entertainment.
In 2022, the Booker-E Music Foundation was created to help youth aquire musical instruments, lessons, & provide mentorship. Our first benefit is June 11 at Shade Tree Saloon in Spring Branch for an up and coming drummer, Christian Howard.
Last Monday (4/18/22), I was beyond honored to be called on stage to play drums with Dale Watson at the Continental Club in Austin. Being rooted in Rockabilly & Honky-tonk, Dale has been a huge influence musically for me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The music industry is not an easy one. To keep up, I continue to hone my craft in multiple ways.
I am fortunate enough to work with mentor & drum teacher Hunt Sales. Son of comedian and entertainer Soupy Sales. Hunt recorded with Iggy Pop “Lust for Life” & David Bowie “Tin Man Machine.”
Wanting to learn more about the industry, I recently enrolled in Grammy Award Winning, Marius Perron’s school Audio EnginEARing in San Antonio.
Mentor, bandmate, & friend Dan “Danimal” Johnson, from Hank III, has been there for me every step of the way with late night moral support calls to band decisions & direction. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Dan.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Booker-E Entertainment helps Musicians & Venues, Connect & Promote their Sonic Labor of Love.
The Booker-E motto is, Building Community within your Community, where there is no Community. We affectionately refer to the company as the Booker-E Family.
What sets Booker-E Entertainment aside from other agencies is our community involvement. Booker-E in collaboration with the New Braunfels Pinups Charity are very involved in community fundraising for local charity groups such as Regroup Foundation Veteran’s Charity, Wreaths Across America, and local food pantries.
Every 1st Saturday, Booker-E & the NB Pinups host a Downtown New Braunfels Pinup Pub Crawl benefiting Wreaths Across America. This monthly event has been a great way to promote local businesses, meet new people, & help the community.
June 11th, we will be holding our first benefit for the Booker-E Music Foundation at Shade Tree Saloon in Spring Branch 6-10pm. There will be Live Rockabilly Music by The Prairie Rattlers, a Miss Shade Tree Pinup Contest, Pinup Photo Shoots, Vendors, Raffles & More. All proceeds will benefit Christian Howard. The goal of the Booker-E Music Foundation is to help local youth acquire musical instruments, instruction, & mentorship.
It’s a great honor to be able to play music as my chosen career. Music brings everyone together and I am humbled to be part of something bigger than myself.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
YouTube – Working Drummer Podcast
YouTube – Rob “Beat Down” Brown
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @porkpieeric
- Facebook: @bookere.entertainment
