Erica Wheeler

Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter Erica Wheeler fuses the literary sensitivity of New England with the spiritual vision of the American West. The New England Folk Almanac noted that "...one of (Wheeler's) greatest strengths is her ability to temper love, light and goodness with darkness and wistfulness."

A self-taught guitarist, Wheeler absorbed early influences from folk-pop vocalists such as Judy Collins and Joan Baez. The documentary film Harlan County U.S.A. proved decisive when the work of folk singer Hazel Dickens prompted her to purchase the songbook 1001 Folk Songs and treat music with greater seriousness. She then taught herself material from the repertoire of Cat Stevens. A handful of original songs written while she was still in high school gave way to a concentrated focus on songwriting once she reached college. Although she had entered Massachusetts' Hampshire College with the intention of becoming a wildlife biologist, her coursework ultimately persuaded her that writing offered the stronger outlet for her voice.

Repeated appearances at the Iron Horse in Northampton, MA, refined Wheeler's stagecraft. Working regularly as an opening act, she absorbed lessons in showmanship from headliners including Bill Morrissey, Patty Larkin and Shawn Colvin while also building an audience. In 1989 she issued the ten-song cassette Strong Heart. Her first full-length recording, From that Far, appeared in 1992 under the production of Darlene Wilson and showcased instrumental and vocal contributions from Johnny Cunningham on fiddle, Doug Plavin on percussion, Peter Calo on acoustic slide and electric guitars, and harmony vocals by Diane Ziegler and Cosy Sheridan.

After winning first place in the troubadour contest at the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival in 1995, Wheeler recorded her second CD, The Harvest. Bluegrass fiddler and bandleader Laurie Lewis served as producer, assembling instrumental support from Darol Anger, Barbara Higbie and Todd Phillips. Her third CD represents the first project she undertook with producer Steve Miller (no relation to the musician), who had previously helmed two CDs by Dar Williams.