Eric Hofmanis

Guitar / Vocals

DEBBIE HORTON (Electric Guitar) The lead guitarist for the 2023/24 Johnny Cash The Official Concert Experience international tour, Debbie holds the distinction as the only woman to have played lead guitar for the Great Cash himself. Debbie first met Johnny Cash when she was a child, and the two maintained a friendship for more than twenty years. Photos of Debbie and Johnny, and a recording of them performing together, can be found on her website, www.DebbieHorton.com. Debbie says of Johnny, “He was the most charismatic person I have ever met, but with the humblest way about him. What a blessing it was for me to have been around him as much as I was. This show is not a “tribute” show, but it is as close as you will ever get to attending a Johnny Cash concert, which was a truly magical experience. It is a thrill and honor to be a part of this talented team.” Born in Newport News, Virginia, Debbie is a multi-talented musician, performer and show producer. She was the first female radio disk jockey, interviewer, and concert MC in Norfolk, working with people like Hank Williams, Jr. and Kenny Rogers. She is an accomplished songwriter whose songs have been recorded by the likes of rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson and Grand Ole Opry star, “Pretty Miss” Norma Jean. She hosted her own show at the Boxcar Willie Theater in Branson, Missouri, and has performed on the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the Louisiana Hayride, the Ernest TubbMidnight Jamboree and recently had a show residency at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Debbie created the successful traveling show, Branson on the Road (seen nationally on RFD-TV), and for the last 20 years the production has been booked into performing arts centers, dinner theatres and historic venues throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.

ERIC HOFMANIS (Guitar/Vocals) A New York native, Eric has garnered an incredibly eclectic musical career. A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist whose worldwide experience spans studies in traditional Classical Guitar to decades of touring his own original experimental music. Though having strong ties to his Spanish and Latvian heritage, his musical and personal Wanderlust often leads him back to a lifelong obsession with the origins of American Country music. He found at a very young age that this unique blend of hymnals, folk tunes, and ballads naturally suited his deep baritone voice. Eric is also the singer and founder of “A Man Named Cash” - a touring group that pays tribute to the lifelong careers of Johnny Cash and June Carter. To be a part of Johnny Cash - The Official Concert Experience comes as an absolute honor for him.

BRITTANY GROVE (Keyboards / BG’s) is a bi-coastal actor and musician based in New York City. She was granted the joyous opportunity to play Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical this past summer and recently traveled with Virgin Voyages performing the whimsical folk music of Pigpen Theatre Co.’s Phantom Folktales. Brittany also worked with Clothespin Ensemble in their staged presentation of Paranoia: A New Musical at Harrisburg Fringe Festival and can be seen in a leading role in the upcoming independent film Bye 4 Now. Additional past credits include The Marvelous Wonderettes and The Winter Wonderettes (Betty Jean), and She Stoops to Conquer (Kate Hardcastle). Everlasting thanks to her loving family for their support, and special thanks to Jim.

JONATHAN SCHNEIDER (Drums / BG’s) is a professional drummer/percussionist born February 2001 and based out of New York City. He began drumming at the age of 8 with instructor and mentor Jim Toscano and would eventually study under Carl Allen, Dom Famularo, Dave Clive, Stephane Chamberland and Zack O’Farrill. Jonathan had the opportunity to play with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall in middle school as part of the kids on stage program and attended and achieved high honors at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Arts. It was here, he would develop his love for music and explore many different styles such as Rock, Country, Jazz, and Latin. He would go on to play with many local bands and performed in several local productions such as The Who’s Tommy, Tick Tick Boom, Grease and perform several times in Havana, Cuba with the Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats. After graduating from LaGuardia High School, Jon attended The City College of New York where he was a member of the Jazz Studies program directed by Steve Wilson. This is where he furthered his skill sets under his mentors Carl Allen and Adam Cruz and went on to lead his first jazz trio: Jazz Division. Jon has always been extremely focused and consistently works on his craft and in December 2022 Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz performance. He currently performs throughout New York City and is known for having strong versatility, creativity, musicality, and passion.

PETER MICHAELS, JR. (Bass Guitar / BG’s) is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer from the NYC area making his touring debut playing bass for the Johnny Cash Concert Experience. A former student at the New School for Jazz, Peter’s musical training is diverse and deep-rooted, playing in local theatre productions as a pit musician as well as in numerous bands around the NYC area. Along with performing, Peter is a prolific composer, releasing music on platforms since 2018, his latest album being a quirky release titled “Angry Oranges for Lunch”.