Erik Hokkanen is one of the most popular and richest Musician who was born on February 23, 1963 in Clearwater, Florida, United States. Erik Hokkanen (born February 23 1993) is an American guitarist, fiddler and composer who lives in Austin, Texas. Erik is famous for performing and writing a variety of styles in music, including western swing, gypsy rock music, surf rock bluegrass music, rockabilly and classical. He effortlessly moves between instruments, usually playing the his violin while an electric guitar is hung on his back. Third generation Finn born within Florida, Erik has toured extensively across Scandinavia performing at major festivals and venues with the best Finnish musicians.
Since 1998 Erik began his tenure as Professor of Music at the Folk Music Department of the famous Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. While there when he was there, he recorded his first album with Lumisudet “In the Heart of the Waking Dream,” and also performed in concert with this group. In the class the violinist taught guitar, theory of music as well as American musical styles. In a fascinating aside, Erik discovered his second cousin Hannu Tolvanen also worked for Sibelius Academy. Sibelius Academy, just three doors away to Erik’s workplace! Erik was delighted to greet him by saying “Hi, cuz! Hyvaa Paivaa!” They remain friends to this day.
In 2009, Erik was inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame. It has been said that pound for pound, Erik is the most talented musician in Austin.
In Texas, Erik performs concerts and teaches music. In January 2012, he was the guest musician on Larry Monroe’s Texas Radio Live show broadcast on KDRP from Guero’s Taco Bar on South Congress Street.
While back in Texas Erik’s popularity increased, after being named a three-time winner of his Kerrville Folk Festival Music Awards’ “Instrumentalist of the year” (1993-1995) and admitted into the Kerville Festival’s Music Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1996, we also saw John Travolta dancing to Erik’s fiddle tunes (“Erik’s Two Step”) in the film “Michael.”
