Gerard Erker and Allie Kral
Gerard Erker (of The Mighty Pines) & Allie Kral (formerly of Yonder Mountain String Band) are teaming up to bring you a rare acoustic listening room duo show for their debut at Blue Strawberry. Gerard & Allie have performed together for many years in different band iterations and have a close friendship. Allie will provide her hauntingly beautiful fiddle, while Gerard switches roles between guitar, mandolin and fiddle. The show will feature many of Gerard’s original songs as well as some fun covers. You won’t want to miss this chance to see two of St. Louis’s top acoustic musicians perform in this intimate setting.
Gerard Erker is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and founding member of the award winning Roots-Rock & Bluegrass band The Mighty Pines. Gerard has toured extensively across the United States since 2013, refining his skills as a performer and entertainer. He has shared the stage with members of Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, Dark Star Orchestra, Sam Bush, Trey Anastasio Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, to name a few. He is proficient at mandolin, guitar, fiddle, clawhammer banjo, electric mandolin, and as a vocalist.
He released a record called "Late Last Night" with The Mighty Pines in June, 2020. The record features many songs written by Gerard, and was produced by Grammy Award winning producer and musician, Steve Berlin of Los Lobos.
In September 2023, Gerard released his first single under his own name. The song is called "Hey KDHX!" and it is protest song in reference to the controversial mass firings and strikes occurring at our local St. Louis community radio station.
When it comes to the fiddle, Allie Kral is in a league all her own. A classically trained violinist since before she can remember, Allie has played internationally on thousands of stages with the biggest names in country, bluegrass, jam, classical music, rock, and more.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Allie was heavily influenced by classical music as a child. She found jam bands through the Grateful Dead, and was attracted to the improvisational nature of the music. Allie also loved performing live, and enjoyed the fact that every live performance was fresh and unique.
Allie Kral is currently an independent artist, fiddlin’ around everywhere! You never know when she will show up as Artist at Large or as a special guest!
Allie has previously played with the band Yonder Mountain String Band from 2014 to 2022 and Cornmeal from 2003 to 2013. She has shared the stage with musical acts such as Moe., Tea Leaf Green, Railroad Earth, Warren Haynes, Big Head Todd, Great American Taxi, Hot Buttered Rum, Trampled By Turtles, Green Mountain Grass, New Monsoon, Leftover Salmon, Keller Williams, and many others!
She has recorded with Yonder Mountain String Band, Cornmeal, Moe., Al and the Transamericans, Trevor Garrod, The Aaron Williams Band, Green Mountain Grass, Bridget Lyons, and many others!
