Eric Hutchinson "Rock & Roll"

[shocker]

A virtual unknown with a new single that is already getting airplay on a few stations.

This song certainly has potential, but it may struggle unless more stations start picking it up. Very light-hearted, upbeat tune that brightens your day.

Here's the video -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm5TZX5hz3g

[Rural Juror]

I saw Eric opening for Missy Higgins last month and I was very impressed by him. He's quite the charmer onstage and is very lively. His songs aren't bad and I already gotten myself acquainted with his CD. It's pretty good stuff.

[shocker]

The more I listen to this song "Rock & Roll", the more I think Eric Hutchinson sounds like Jason Mraz. Something about his musical style that is easily comparible to him.

[shocker]

This song finally made it into the Hot AC top 40 last week. It got some early play on Mix 96.9 in Phoenix back in August & September, but hardly any other Hot ACs were spinning it. Now it seems that a few have added it to their playlist.

Unfortunately, it appears that this has gotten a very slow start; and unless this gets some kind of unexpected bump, don't look for Eric to go much further up the Hot AC chart with this one. It's getting meager airplay increases, and very few adds as of now.

It's a great song, but Eric is a virtual unknown in the industry. His style seems pretty close to Jason Mraz, but I doubt if being a Mraz-sound-alike will be enough to push this song into the top 10. I hope I'm wrong! It's been 1 of my favorite songs since August.

[atlantaboy]

^Wonderin if the Top 5 Airplay at Triple A and VH1 exposure will create some more crossover to Hot AC...

[Rumors]

His single sounds a lot like Jason Mraz. However, he's not good looking. You have to have the looks to go along with the sound/song if you want success at HotAC or pop. Sad but true for the most part. There are a few exceptions but they are few and far between.

[atlantaboy]

Nov 23, 2008 17:40:43 GMT -5 Rumors said:

His single sounds a lot like Jason Mraz. However, he's not good looking. You have to have the looks to go along with the sound/song if you want success at HotAC or pop.

Are u sure that people consider Jason Mraz "good-looking" (just wonderin lol)

Also not sure that's really true for guys (might be for female singers I guess) cause Chad Kroeger, Dave Matthews, lead singer of Fall Out Boy, etc. def. aren't considered good-looking (I think) - he also seems more "camera friendly" than Matt Nathanson IMO

[shocker]

Nov 23, 2008 17:40:43 GMT -5 Rumors said:

His single sounds a lot like Jason Mraz. However, he's not good looking. You have to have the looks to go along with the sound/song if you want success at HotAC or pop. Sad but true for the most part. There are a few exceptions but they are few and far between.

Nah. I don't think looks have much to do with it - at least not the main reason. Even if he looked like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, he's still an unknown in the music world, and that tends to hamper your success. It's who you know in this business.

As atlantaboy pointed out, there are quite a few others that aren't exactly GQ-cover material, but they have instant success on this format every time they release a new song. Why? Name recognition!!! Chris Daughtry, Rob Thomas, Chad Kroeger, Jason Mraz, and Dave Matthews will always be Hot AC staples regardless of how photogenic they are. Eric Hutchinson is just not a name that people recognize - at least not yet.

[atlantaboy]

^Yeah actually havin a hard time thinkin of male Hot AC "staples" that are considered good-looking at all - only one I can think of is John Mayer (and I guess Jon Bon Jovi if he's still a HAC staple)...and even with female singers, Alanis, Pink, and Colbie have done way better on HAC than Jessica Simpson, Britney, even most Christina songs

So def. agree w/ shocker that main difference between Triple A stars and Hot AC stars is commercial promotion (and high callout with more mainstream audience)

[MinusName]

I like this song and I don't think he's that bad looking. He has that just the boy next door look going for him. Regardless, it's about the music at Triple A. Hot AC a little less so.