Two Cents & Five Questions With...

... Ernie Halter, Musician.

Website, www.last.fm, states it best by describing: "Ernie Halter is a soul-infused pop singer/songwriter, a guy who’s been influenced as much by the Lennon/McCartney as he has by Otis Redding…but don’t wrack your brain trying to categorize him. Just listen to his music."

Ernie released his album "Congress Hotel" in February of this year on the Rock Ridge Music label.

Ernie took the time out of his busy schedule to send over his Two Cents and Five Answers.

TwoCents: Your music is starting to really penetrate the popular scene and sites like Yahoo Launch feature it often. Do you find online music sites help to spread the word about your work?
Ernie Halter: Yes. Any avenue for putting your music out there is good. It would be great to have a video on MTV that millions will see, but online exposure is the next best thing. As long as people hear the music and remember it, whatever works, works. MySpace has also been a big help in not only presenting the music to masses, but allowing fans to tell friends about what they're listening to. Honestly, word of mouth will always be the best way for artists to become well known. Exposure = spark, Word of mouth = fire.

TC: You write so much of the music you record, why did you also choose to record a cover of "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel on your latest CD?
EH: First, I love the song. Second, it was sort of a happy accident. I was sound checking the piano upstairs and began playing it. Kalish recorded a few passes of me doing it, and what you hear is what made the record. I've been covering the song for years. I almost forget that I didn't write it (wish I did!)

TC: What fun websites do you visit for your own entertainment?
EH: Lots, I'm a net junkie. Here's a few:
www.youtube.com (find vidoes on *anything*!)
www.stumbleupon.com (discover stuff you'd never think to look for)
www.stickam.com (the myspace of webcasting)
www.theonion.com (world's best satirical newspaper)
news.yahoo.com (I read the headlines and featured stories everyday)
answers.yahoo.com (next best thing to a magic lamp)
www.websudoku.com (my latest obsession)
www.tadalist.com (online to-do lists to keep me on track)
adds.aviationweather.com (as a student pilot, I use this site to check weather before flying)
local.google.com (I use this everyday as an online yellow pages and directions site in one)
www.allmusic.com (the world's largest online collection of album liner notes and reviews, find any CD!)
www.onlinegigs.com (tens of thousands of contacts for venues, colleges, festivals, etc)

TC: What is the most embarassing 'fad' you completely bought in to?
EH: I dont buy into fads. Not because I'm a trendsetter, but because I'm just slow.

TC: What new projects do you have coming up?
EH: In 2 weeks I'll be kicking off a 3 month tour with Universal recording artist Tyrone Wells, starting in Chicago.

So, look for Ernie on the road and a big thanks to Ernie for spending some time with us here at The Two Cents!