Ernie Halter has a soulful voice that seems to wrap around you like a blanket on a cold winter night.  Okay, not really, but it is pretty damn close, especially when you hear him live.

So it’s fitting that Halter’s most recent album is a live album that pieces together each of his past efforts into one miraculous piece of work.  Recorded over a month at different tour stops, this album showcases what is at the heart of his music, his fans.  Via his website, Halter states, “At my live shows, I always thank them and tell them, ‘You are my employer, this is my office, and I’m doing this for you.’  My fans are the foundation of everything I do.”

Halter doesn’t just talk the talk though.  He tours almost constantly, usually more than 100 dates a year, solo or with an array of other musicians/friends such as Tony Lucca, Tyrone Wells, Josh Hoge, and has shared the stage with the likes of Kate Voegele and Sister Hazel.  But fans don’t attend the live shows just for the music.  Halter’s personality on and offstage keeps them coming back for more.  Before or after a set, you can always catch him mingling with his fans, talking, taking pictures and having a great time.

Halter’s last studio album, Starting Over peaked at #22 on the iTunes chart and was on the first round Grammy ballot for this past year’s ceremony.  The album came in the wake of what Halter called a “shit storm,” and featured showstoppers such as “Different Lives,” and “Lighthouse,” to more lighthearted songs such as “Played,” and “Blue Dress.”  Halter even slowed down the song, “Cyclone,” and got the seal of approval from its originator, Baby Bash.

Shame on you if you’re not convinced yet to give him a listen.  Halter is an avid tweeter, hosting over a half a million followers, giving away tickets to shows and posting links to his live webcams.  If you’re lucky enough to catch an apartment cam web stream, you can usually find him sitting behind his piano taking requests from fans.

Halter plans to end 2009 on a high note, touring and beginning his next studio album due out in 2010.

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