Black Gold: Eric Ronick’s Piano Rock

Most influential records early on: I grew up listening to a lot of the Beatles, Elton John, and Billy Joel. Those were probably the first records that really taught me how to play rock music on the piano.
Play by ear or sight-read: I can read pretty well, but at this point I learn most music by ear. I find it’s the best way for me to memorize a song. If I just read the music from the page, my brain doesn’t retain all the changes.
Practice regimen: I spend a lot of time everyday at the piano, but I’d hardly call it practicing. I spend most of my time just learning new songs and writing.
Songwriting inspiration: Sometimes it’s something that happened to me or a close friend. Other times it comes from a random stranger on the street who fascinates me. Inspiration can come at any time, so I try to just be patient and let it happen. The real trick is to nurture it as soon as it 1comes. If you put it on hold even for a minute, it can disappear.
Touring rig: I’ve been touring with a Wurlitzer 200A for quite a while now. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to keep running properly. She can be quite a fickle girl, so I also bring a Nord Stage 88 with me in case the Wurly goes down. The Nord is the closest to the real thing that I have been able to find, and it’s been really reliable.
Gear wish list: I would love to see somebody re-issue the Wurlitzer 200A. They did a pretty great job on the Rhodes re-issue, but I would love to get my hands on a brand new Wurly. Maybe a newlyconstructed one would hold up a little better than the 40-year-old one that I have.
Words of wisdom: Just learn to play all the songs you love and always write music, no matter how much of a beginner you are. Nothing will teach you more than learning from your idols.