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Hands On Christmas ft. Eric Paslay, Anthony Billups, Jillia Jackson, Amy Wilcox

Presented by 12th and Porter at 12th and Porter

December 20, 2011

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Hands On Christmas featuring Eric Paslay, Anthony Billups, Jillia Jackson, Amy Wilcox

Honesty is a powerful magnet that always draws an eager audience and it has proven to be a potent tool in Eric Paslay’s (Pass-Lay) creative arsenal. Sometimes playful, often poignant and always poetic, the 6’ 4” singer/songwriter with the fiery red hair and easy smile has quickly earned a reputation as an artist who radiates integrity. His songs have substance and depth, but his EMI Records Nashville debut album is every bit as entertaining and accessible as it is meaningful, and therein lies Paslay’s charm.

From the sly, sexy romp “If the Fish Don’t Bite” to the emotionally riveting “Deep As It Is Wide,” Paslay proves to be a compelling storyteller and versatile performer. It’s a gift he comes by honestly.

Though most aspiring artists playing clubs routinely perform cover tunes, Paslay almost always played his original songs and got enthusiastic response. Even though he was building a reputation for his live shows, like most artists, he briefly flirted with a more stable career and during high school, he planned on becoming a pediatric endocrinologist. “I have juvenile diabetes and I thought I could help kids with diabetes because I could relate to them,” he says.

However, music was too strong a passion to be ignored and following a friend’s advice, he moved to Nashville. Paslay began attending Middle Tennessee State University, where he became president of MTSU’s student chapter of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He recruited top Music Row writers to speak at the university. He also volunteered for anything just to get his foot further in the door and did everything from help out at a charity golf tournament to change light bulbs in the NARAS office, a feat made easier because of his height. “I’d just go help anywhere I could because I thought if you have a job to do and you do it well, then if they let you be creative and make a record, at least they know you’re going to do it well,” Paslay says. “They’ll know you are going to put all your mind, strength and skill into doing whatever job they give you.”

Though Paslay enjoys recording and has an affinity for the studio, his true love is the stage. “I turn it on when I get on stage. I love to entertain,” says Paslay, who has opened for Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Eric Church, Blake Shelton and Little Big Town, among others. “The songs on this record are the ones that really connect when I played them live. When I write, I like there to be a little bit of hope in every song, even in the sad songs. There’s still hope in there. With all the negativity everywhere these days, I’d like the positive to come out. A song can give you a little boost in confidence or make you love stronger and dream deeper.”

Most of all, Eric Paslay loves forging that special connection with people that can only be made with a song. “I just love making music. I love how much you can say to someone in a song,” he says. “It's great having the opportunity to be a part of the soundtrack of people's lives.”