Eric Gales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Gales
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Gales performing in 2011
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Raw Dawg |
| Born | October 29, 1974 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues rock, hard rock, heavy metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Cleopatra Blues (a division of Cleopatra), Elektra, House of Blues, MCA, Shrapnel, Blues Bureau International, Provogue |
Eric Gales (born October 29, 1974), also known by his nickname Raw Dawg, is an American guitarist famous for his blues rock music. When he was young, many people called him a child prodigy, which is a child with amazing talent.
Over his long career, Gales has recorded 19 albums for major music companies. He has also worked as a session musician, which means he plays guitar on other artists' songs. He even provided vocals for the Memphis rap groups Prophet Posse and Three 6 Mafia, using the names Lil E and Mack E.
Musical Journey
A Young Talent
Eric Gales started playing the guitar when he was only four years old. His older brothers, Eugene and Manuel, taught him how to play. They showed him songs in the style of famous guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, and B.B. King.
Gales has a unique way of playing. He plays a right-handed guitar "upside-down," with the thickest string at the bottom. He is not left-handed, but his brother who taught him was. So, he learned this special way and has played like that ever since.
When he was 11, in 1985, he started playing in blues competitions. His brother Eugene played the bass alongside him.
Becoming a Star
In 1990, Eric and his brother Eugene signed a contract with Elektra Records. They formed The Eric Gales Band with drummer Hubert Crawford. They released two albums: The Eric Gales Band in 1991 and Picture of a Thousand Faces in 1993.
In 1991, readers of Guitar World magazine voted Eric as the "Best New Talent." He had two hit songs on the rock radio charts, "Sign of the Storm" and "Paralyzed." He also appeared on popular TV shows like The Arsenio Hall Show.
A huge moment in his career came in 1994 when he performed with the legendary guitarist Carlos Santana at the Woodstock '94 music festival. A year later, he formed a band with his two brothers called The Gales Brothers. They released an album called Left Hand Brand in 1996.
Recent Success
Gales continued to release many albums throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He also took part in tours celebrating the music of Jimi Hendrix. On one of these tours, called Experience Hendrix, he played with famous musicians like Billy Cox, Eric Johnson, and Mitch Mitchell.
In 2017, Gales released the album Middle of the Road. It was his first album to appear on the Billboard Top Blues Album chart, reaching number 4. His next album, The Bookends (2019), did even better, hitting number 1 on the same chart.
Because of his amazing talent, Gales won the Blues Music Award for 'Blues Rock Artist of the Year' in both 2019 and 2020.
In 2022, he released the album Crown, which was produced by another famous blues guitarist, Joe Bonamassa. The album was a huge success, also reaching number 1 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. For this album, Gales received his first-ever Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Discography
Gales has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of his most important ones.
- The Eric Gales Band (1991)
- Picture of a Thousand Faces (1993)
- Left Hand Brand (1996) (as The Gales Brothers)
- That's What I Am (2001)
- Crystal Vision (2006)
- Relentless (2010)
- Transformation (2011)
- Pinnick Gales Pridgen (2013) (with Doug Pinnick and Thomas Pridgen)
- Middle of the Road (2017)
- The Bookends (2019)
- Crown (2022)
