“As he says in the song, there is “Nothin’ Like A Good Guitar.”and Midwesterner (Fort Dodge, IA) bluesman Erick Hovey takes those immortal words to heart. Judging from the cover photo (it’s him as a geeky teenager doing his best blues snarl with his sister beating an indian drum), he’s been at it for some time, and this homegrown disc grows on you like the corn in his home state.”

Blues Access
Catfish Choice, Spring ‘97


“Hovey’s unstrained delivery and easy grace make the material seem utterly uncontrived. My guess is that you’ll like this sweet natured little collection of originals.”

Blue Suede News


“Somewhere down on a farm in a remote corner of the US Midwest, this artist perfected his skills to become not only a skillful performer but an accomplished songwriter. This collection of fourteen songs is just a cross-section of his material, which ranges from upbeat rock to introspective blues.”

Music and Media
Europe’s Radio Active Newsweekly


“Serving up solid original blues from Fort Dodge, Iowa native Erick Hovey, What You Blue About? Has genuine heart and engaging personality. This CD is a treat, equal to or a cut above much of the material coming from established blues labels. Erick Hovey’s tunes are rooted in traditional blues and swing conventions. The songwriting is suprisingly skillful. His vocal style is swingin’ and rockin’ blues. Like Austin’s Gary Primich, Hovey pours on just enough hep-cat-daddy charm to make you listen up and snap your fingers. He also proves to be a sharp guitarist with a satisfying command of grooves and licks. There’s some smart swing stuff reminiscent of Teddy Morgan’s work, and some growly Delta-influenced guitar similar to that of Tinsley Ellis or Fast Johnny Ricker.”

The READER
Omaha’s Arts and Entertainment Weekly


The band doesn’t overplay, so the music has a clean, light feel. The main attractions of Hovey’s CD are the swing blues cuts, which move along well, yet never so fast that the pulse is lost. His guitar work is fluid, and solos always concise. It’s an unpretentious record that avoids flash and pyrotechnics, and as a result, serves the blues quite well.

Delta Snake Blues News


“Erick Hovey and his group of very talented musicians have put down fourteen tracks that entertain no matter what type of blues you’re into. This is like a cold drink on a hot day. Erick puts down all the right licks in all the right places and that comes from two reasons. The man wrote the numbers and he sure knows his craft. The lyrics read like a trip from early puberty to young adulthood and sometimes beyond. It’s a disc that when played the second time sounds like a whole new ball game. Hot licks, cool chops, tight rhythm sections created by all who participated in this disc, make it a winner in any collection. If it is not in your store, ask for it. Iowa has some great hidden talent. Be the first on your block to discover Erick Hovey.”

Big Al Watts
Presenter of Big Als Blues Blast
On PBS 106.7 FM Radio
Melbourne, Australia


“In this sparkling CD you will find a very pure vein of blues to mine. Erick Hovey has built his CD on the sturdy foundation of simple, easy-to-identify-with subject matter and sharply performed arrangements. At times smooth and wistful, at times rockin’ in an older sense of the word, but always cloaked in cool, cool blues. Outstanding.”

CAKE magazine, Minneapolis, MN


“Erick Hovey has released a very fine CD that does some blues, some rock and some other kinda out there grooves; but it’s cool stuff. I found it more enjoyable than many other CDs I received from ‘big labels’…His guitar playing and singing, coupled with his own originals (and they’re all his and quite original), make a fun listen with more than a little wisdom thrown in for good measure.”

Blues Crier
Central Iowa Blues Society


“Solid instrumentals, honest forthright lyrics, and enough stylistic variety to appeal to dyed-in-the-wool blues fans, three chord rockers, and even denizens of Bob’s Country Bunker”

The Cedar Rapids Metro


“What You Blue About? Features music that is straight-ahead and sometimes not, but is always accessible to the public ear…all of the songs are Hovey originals and they’re all good.”

“ muzi.com” magazine
DesMoines, IA


“Hovey and the band concentrate on upbeat, dance-worthy blues designed to move people off their chairs.”

The DesMoines Register Datebook


“I’ve just received an excellent 14 track CD from singer and guitarist Erick Hovey entitled “What You Blue About?” on Juniors Motel Records. The entirely self-written CD starts strong with the shuffling title track and the swinging “Sleep Late” with it’s nice clean guitar solo and short but tasteful piano and drum solos. There’s something for everyone from out and out rockers(“Rockin’ The Blues”) to the heart- felt ballad “Love Affair”, the funky “Shake That Thang”, and “Wicker Benz” the jazzy Hammond based instrumental that closes the CD. Wah fans will love “Tore Me Apart” which also features harmonica from Tony Zagar. Tony also appears on my favorite low down and lazy track “Take Me Home” with it’s JJ Cale vocal style. Erick’s vocals complement his guitar very well and remind me at times of Lyle Lovett (especially “Ain’t Nothin Like A Good Guitar”). The band/session musicians are very tight and let Erick do his thing whilst contributing some short sharp solos themselves (step forward and take a bow Mr. Doug Hines on keyboards).

The UK Northern Blues Guide