Official Biography (courtesy of Eric Nolan)
The voice of Eric Nolan was nurtured and developed in Cleveland, Ohio. Eric began singing at the age of four and joined The Deltones (a Cleveland singing group as a teenager, Eric realized at the age of nineteen that he wanted a career in music. His professional career started when he began singing background vocals for Dennis Edwards of The Temptations in 1984. In 1991, Eric left Cleveland and departed to Detroit, Michigan to form a duet called E & J with songstress, Jeanie Lyles.
1n 1995, Eric returned to Cleveland and his music career evolved to the next level. After a year of singing background vocals for the Father and Son Tour with the Eddie and the late Gerald Levert, Eric auditioned for and nailed the position as the third and youngest member of The Legendary O’Jays.’The rest is (as they say) history’!
In 1997 Eric performed on his debut O’Jays’ album ‘Love You To Tears’ which hit the R&B charts. In 2001 the O’Jays released their “For The Love” album which was a chart-topper that received a Grammy nomination in 2002. In September 2003, Eric appeared in his debut film “The Fighting Temptations” starring Cuba Gooding, Jr.and Beyonce Knowles receiving a Gold Record Award for his contribution to the movie’s soundtrack. Later in 2003, Eric received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. In 2004 The O’Jays recorded the album ‘Imagination’ under the Music World label. In 2004, Eric as a member of the O’Jays, was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pa. and in 2005 the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio. “For the Love Of Money” became the theme song to the hit reality TV show “The Apprentice”, starring Donald Trump, which Eric performed live at the taping of the show’s season finale. In 2006, the O’Jays performed at the ESPY awards, hosted by Lance Armstrong. In 2008, Eric appeared on the PBS Special (also published as a DVD) ‘Love Train: The Sound Of Philadelphia” as the O’Jays performed in the artist showcase. In 2009, Eric as one of the O’Jays ; was awarded BET’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, performed at the ‘US Open: Opening Ceremony’ and toured in South Africa. On January 29, 2011 The O’Jays received the “Trumpet Lifetime Achievement Award”. Some of Eric’s most notable television appearances also include: The Oprah Winfrey Show, The David Letterman Show, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, The View, BET Awards Show, The Monique Show, Unsung , PBS Capitol on the 4th as well as many others including appearances on news shows around the country. Some of the major performances/venues include; The Essence Music Festival, The Jamaica Jazz Festival, The Macys Music Festival, Capitol 4th Concert, Kentucky Derby, Kodak Theater, Waldorf Astoria, The Apollo Theater, Democratic National Convention to name a few.
Eric’s the musical influences include the late Godfather of Soul, James Brown, The Jackson Five, The Temptations, and of course, The Mighty O’Jays. In June of 2011 Eric partnered with Jayshawn Champion and launched Boy Wonder Records. Including Eric Nolan (as a solo artist), G-Men and Nehemie and Billy Rich. Based on the recent rotation by Sirius Satellite Radio Heart and Soul, Eric has proven that his presence in the music industry is not temporary. In addition to the new label, solo project and touring with The O’Jays, Mr. Grant is also currently developing a film based on his life story, titled ‘I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER’.