The Bangor Daily News says: “Erica Brown is a little bit country, and a little bit classical.”  Bandleader Allan “Mac” Mchale of The Old Time Radio Gang states: “For her age, she’s an incredible performer.” At a mere 22 years of age , Erica Brown has accomplished more than many dream about. Her talent for combining the precision of classical music with the spontaneity of country and bluegrass fiddle makes for a  fun-filled performance every time she plays.

Erica began her professional career at the age of seven when she began performing at churches, nursing homes and fiddle contests.

“ Ever since I can remember I have had deep roots to the traditional french music of my family.” she says, “ Some of my earliest memories are of my grandfather playing the accordion at the family soire’s.”

At traditional get-togethers around Lewiston, family and friends soon recognized Erica’s special bond to music. Lessons obtained at a very young age paid off. Ten-year-old Erica began performing with the Maine French Fiddlers and Brunswick Youth Orchestra. Other performances included appearances on Public Television and concerts at Bates College. At age 15 her first CD of traditional instrumental music called “Bowing the Strings” allowed Erica to show off her love and talent for “the greatest music we have all come to know, the kind that can only be played by a fiddle and a bow”. This impressive work caught the ear of bluegrass festival promoters and Erica was placed on the program at many festivals including Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival in Cornish Maine, Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival in Sydney, Maine, Pemi Valley in Campton, NH and Basin Bluegrass Festival in Brandon, VT.

Her classical technique training added to bluegrass festival experiences gave her a double-edged sword to cut through tough compositions on her latest CD called “Just Taking Notes”. “Classical and bluegrass music have something in common” she says, “You must be very precise.” “The appeal of bluegrass is the freedom to experiment.” she adds. 

Erica is currently a full time student at the University of Maine at Augusta studying audio recording.

See more snapshots of Erica's early days.