Eric Hansen gives fourth annual Minden concert

More! More!" was the chorus ending Eric Hansen's Concert last year in Minden Park. Once again this year, Lake Tahoe Entertainment presents Eric Hansen for his fourth annual Minden concert, 6 p.m. Sunday, in Minden Park.

A contemporary folk-singer/songwriter, Hansen plays ballads, blues, folk rock, children's music, inspirational and humorous songs. According to concert organizers, Hansen has something for all ages and backgrounds, from bluesy "Suntan And A Cellular Phone" about the bravado of being cool, to "Charlie The Frog" about contentment. "Heroes In The Dark," written in tribute to the 9-11 tragedy, speaks about those selflessly serving to make the world a safer place.

Admission is a pass-the-hat love offering - suggested $10 per person - sponsored by Unity Church of Today. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket and picnic dinner.

Hansen will perform earlier at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at Unity Church of Today, 1701 Lucerne St. in Minden. Hansen is again available this year for private smoke free "house concerts" in Northern Nevada, by contacting Lake Tahoe Entertainment, (888) 667-8250, tahoeentertainment.com, or Unity Church of Today, 782-4429 or unitychurchoftoday.org.

Hansen's career began at 9, playing guitar and singing at family gatherings in Highland, Ind. He played in Chicago coffee houses through his teen years, then studied guitar, voice and musical composition at Chicago Musical College, where he found the theater department. He spent four years as both songwriter and performer with Chicago's Free Street Theater and 17 years in New York City working in musicals, theater, radio plays, commercials, soap operas, cabaret and nightclubs.

Hansen's mission is to "provide quality music to audiences of all ages. Music that is entertaining, beautiful, uplifting and inspiring."

In 1997, Hansen was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency limits his lung capacity to only 30 percent and increases his risk for pneumonia. He encourages organ donation and promotes the alpha-1 organizations and American Lung Association on his Web site.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin protects the delicate tissues of the lungs by binding to neutrophil lactase, a protein released by white blood cells, which digests bacteria and other foreign objects in the lungs. A person deficient in alpha-1 antitrypsin inhales irritants, or contracts lung infections, and the neutrophil elastase released in the lungs continues digesting irritants unchecked, eventually destroying healthy lung tissue. Eric's ability to sing a song with his powerfully trained voice, astonishes as well as delivers inspiration to those who also suffer from alpha-1.

Songs from Hansen's five CDs including the newest, Lovers Lullaby, may be sampled at his Web site, EricHansen.net. CDs are available online or at concerts. For more information, call 782-4429, or visit UnityChurchOfToday.org or EricHansen.net.