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In 1996 I was just getting into the music of moe. and wanted to learn everything about the band and acquire as many live recordings as I could. My entree into the moe. world was through an internet mailing list and one of the many moe.rons who welcomed me into the scene and shared his recordings was Eric Vandercar. Today, I was incredibly heart-broken to learn that Eric was among those killed last night when a Metro-North commuter train crashed into an SUV in Westchester County, New York.

It hits so hard that this devoted father and husband was just trying to get home from work after a long day to see his wife and kids, when such an unexpected tragedy occurred. There are reminders every day about the fragility of life, but this one hits so close to home it’s hard for me to process.

After spending tons of time listening to Eric’s recordings, I finally met him a few years back and I’d bet my experience was similar to those who meet famous people they’ve grown up respecting. I was a little in awe, to be honest. While I only met Eric one time and subsequently had a few chats with him, he had a major impact on me and I can’t express enough what a good guy we’ve lost. The scene lost a very important person last night and the whole JamBase team would like to send our deepest condolences to Eric’s friends and family, some of whom have been grieving together today both in person and on the internet.

RIP EricV.

Here’s an Eric Vandercar recording I’ve listened to at least 100 times over the years of moe.’s performance at Saratoga Winners in Cohoes, New York on April 16, 1997:

Update: moe. has released a statement about Vandercar’s passing:

Words can’t express how devastated we are today. We’ve lost so much more than a major moe. fan, we’ve lost a very good friend. Eric Vandercar will always be remembered -whether he was enjoying the music from the front row, or hanging out backstage with us, chatting with that easy smile of his. He was there during our early days at the Wetlands, and we just recently got to spend time with him in Jamaica.

An avid music supporter, a husband, a father – Eric, along with his wife Jill, have been a constant and familiar presence in all of our lives over the last couple of decades. And once they had kids, they made their love of music a family affair. Our hearts go out to Jill, Jake, Sadie and to the extended Vandercar and Shiner families, as well as all those who knew Eric.