By Lauren Kirchmyer
As you sit here reading this article, Eric Van Houten, a 22-year-old musician from West Seneca, is preparing for a night he will remember forever. Tonight, he will perform for a sold-out crowd at Buffalo Iron Works – his largest show in his career to date.
“It’s an absolute blessing to know that I can sell out a venue where I am born and raised,” Van Houten said. “Means the world to me honestly.”
He has had dreams of making people chant and sing back to him while onstage for as long as he can remember. He credits this to growing up in a musical family with relatives playing instruments for generations.
When it comes to his own music, Van Houten tends to keep a guitar by his side. The country artist released a four-song solo EP titled “25 Miles” on iTunes on July 2, and it didn’t take long for the country music industry to notice his talent.
To add to an already exciting time, just 11 days after the debut of his EP, Van Houten’s friend Canaan Smith’s song was named the number one song in country music. In a video thanking his fans for their support, Smith was wearing one of Van Houten’s shirts.
“Pretty damn cool! Canaan Smith landed a #1 today in country music, and to announce it he wore my shirt! How rad! Congrats bro! Well deserved!” Van Houten posted on social media that day.
Today, exactly four months after that post, Van Houten is playing for his first, of what he hopes will be many, sold-out crowds, celebrating the success of his EP.
“I want to make a career out of this for a long time,” he shared. “I’m not interested in the whole one-hit wonder idea. I’m looking to be a staple in people’s music choice for a long time. I want to sell out venues across the country and have people moved by what I sing and perform for them.”
And he won’t give up on his goals.
“Keep chasing your dreams, no matter how big or small they might be,” he said. “Anything is possible.”
To learn more about Van Houten, visit www.ericvanhoutenmusic.com. You can also follow him on Facebook for frequent updates.
Lauren Kirchmyer is the entertainment reporter for BuffaloScoop.com. If you have a story idea, feel free to contact her at lk********@gm***.com.