Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Tolliver. Them and their team share their story with us below:
In 2009-2010 Ezy (Keyboardist/Producer/Engineer) and JBass (Bassist/Producer/Writer/Arranger) began a musical journey together. They wrote original music and created some dope vibes amongst their peers, they were in a few band(s) around the city making a little noise. However, at the end of 2016 they begin to see the absence of feel good music being recorded by artists and released. There was a young ambitious drummer named Jordyn “Ventura” Perry, who was vigorously interested in learning the game of music, so he began to hang with (Ezy & JBass). At this point, the band was named “Breaking News”. In 2017 they began to synthesize their sound and that’s when Ezy meet the timekeeper Eric B. Rose (formally known as SMOOOOTH).
For a year Ezy and Smooth did gigs around the southeast as a two-piece (drums & keys) with The Black Betty’s. However, in summer of 2018 Smooth introduced Ezy to Big Saxy, Big Saxy is a musical phenomenon that can control a saxophone like none other. After roughly a year of doing gigs with the Big Saxy Band, Ezy contacted JBass and said “we have the formula”! Let’s make the music happen. So at the end of 2018 going into 2019 the band was asked to fill in and play for an event called “For The Luv of RnB” at the Apache Warehouse. (On a SMALL budget) the band came together to have 5 piece ensemble (bass, drums, percussions, keys, saxophone), it was at this event where they created a name for themselves. Meanwhile the band was also in the studio working on songs like (Addicted To Love, Please Don’t Go… etc.). At the end of 2019 the band collabed with people such as, Brandon Thomas (Guitar Player for Leon Bridges), SimF (Dope Independent Artist), Kittie Chamille (Artist/Entrepreneur) and the band produced her first single “Saving All My Love” on ALL PLATFORMS, and the list goes on!!!
2020 was supposed to be the take off year with so much momentum coming out of 2019, the band was supposed to skyrocket and take on the role as recording artist; however, Covid-19 cause a HALT! The band was playing a gig at “Fellaship” cigar lounge in the city of Atlanta and the NBA suspended all games on a Wednesday evening, while the crowd was watching the game.
Shortly thereafter gigs were cancelled left & right. Jobs were closed on every side, and the guys had no potential of making any headways in 2020.
But the band got a call from two promoters at Apache Cafe and was asked to be the band every Wednesday night at this time the consistent host was Kari Epps, and she had the charisma to get the people out in this season of life they meet brilliant names like Zaria Hall, Troy Durden, Havier Davion, Necy Ivory, and MANY more…
So, with the money that they were making at the gig they ended up recording the album, due to covid restrictions it was separated into a few partitions and different rooms but they made it happen.
Major thanks to Monyea Crawford of Lovechild Production Studios, who helped sponsor and navigate the ways through the Daw, Thanks also goes to Jamie Lake of American Sushi Recording for allowing us to gather granting us different rooms at the DOJO!
All work n No Play also had a MAJOR part in making the recording process happen. The album is now out called “The Big Deal” on ALLL STREAMING PLATFORMS and music purchasing platforms.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road to the album finishing was not smooth, as stated in the about us section. We gained working momentum right in the midst of a PANDEMIC, making the limit of people into places difficult and also making it so we really couldn’t gather anywhere to discuss or engage with convos or to really ask, “what do we want to happen?”… That was TOUGH!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The Headliner Band is a conglomerate of about eight people who have musical hands EVERYWHERE. The band has graced so many stages as individuals names as; Calvin Richardson, Jully Dexter, Anthony David, Mylah, Bosco, Tony Terry, Kebbi Williams, Theresa Tha Songbird, and the list GOES ON!!!!
The band specializes in making music feel good, a lot of people can sound good, music can sound good if you read it off of a sheet. But in order for music to feel good, you have to play it from the heart.
They’re known for the band who has saved the day for so many events.
The album is definitely the bands proudest moment.
Individuality is the only thing that sets them apart from others. “If it’s raining and we’re in the same place, we both get wet, nothing makes us different. We’re all human and there’s no competition that can make you me, I’m me and you’re you!” -Lenny Squirrelman
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Character/Integrity is the most important thing in life for the band. Everything else can fade, Money can be spent out, Clout can be gone tomorrow, the government can seize your music and possessions but NO one can take away your integrity, you have to give that away.
Contact Info:
- Email: theheadlinerbandatl@gmail.com
- Website: theheadlinerbandatl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheadlinerbandatl/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheadlinerbandatl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_QK5HVdpUkdu5wuYBuFLyA
Image Credits:
aL Media HeatherLashun Photography Ry-J Productions 73mm Films
