Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Sage.
Hi Eric, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started playing tennis at the age of five and became a highly-ranked Junior. I was also a child actor and played hockey and soccer. From age 8 to 12, I was the voice of the “Little Green Sprout” in the Jolly Green Giant commercials, which is crazy:) I left home to train in Florida with world-renowned tennis coach Nick Bollettieri (Andre Agassi, Jim Courier) and then to California to train with Robert Lansdorp. (Pete Sampras, Lindsay Davenport). I actually went to 7 different high schools. I went on to receive a tennis scholarship to San Diego State University and played for the Aztecs. I then turned pro and traveled the globe, and became a world-ranked tennis professional.
At age 23, I was the passenger in a severe car accident. After 2 years of grueling physical therapy, I was not able to get back to my pro form; this ended 18 years of work and my career as a professional tennis player. I went on to become the “Tennis Teacher To The Stars”, where I coached many celebrities including George Clooney and Alec Baldwin, as well as famous rock stars, NFL owners, world-ranked juniors, and adults. I also taught physically and intellectually challenged children and kids of all ages. During these years, I also worked as an actor. I played the “No Stairway to Heaven” guitar salesman in the movie “Wayne’s World,” as well as many other roles and commercials. However, I always had a latent dream of being a professional singer, pianist, and composer. When the experts in their respective fields told me it was too late, I decided at age 25, “This is my life, and no one can tell me what I’m able to accomplish until I am done trying.” Ultimately, I spent the next twelve years teaching tennis eight hours a day while studying music five hours deep into every night. During this transformational time, I developed The 1 Thru 10 Tennis System. I then wrote a book that was published called “Tennis Like A Rockstar.” It’s not only for tennis players but is also a self-help book about going after one’s individual dreams.
My many years of intensive music studies paid off. I am now an internationally touring and recording artist. I am fortunate to have performed and recorded with many multi-platinum acts such as Slash of Guns ‘n’ Roses, Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe, The Bay City Rollers: featuring Ian Mitchell, and The Beach Boys. I have released two albums of my original music, and my newest album called Kalifornia Kowboy, is dropping soon. I am very passionate about the first single, “American Way”. It’s a positive song about us pulling together and being united. I am also really excited as I have a new feature on the Tennis Channel Called “Tennis Like A Rockstar.” It’s a fun show where cameras follow me around while I teach tennis to celebrities and hard-working students by day and perform rock concerts around the world by night. I have lived in San Diego with my beautiful wife and daughter for over 20 years. We have a cute Goolden Doodle and two sweet cats. I am also grateful to the amazing San Diego musicians who I perform with and consider my good friends. It is our favorite city in the world, and every day we say how blessed we are to have it be our home. I’m also a motivational speaker, and I work with professional athletes on sports psychology. I am currently headlining at festivals, theaters, and concert halls across the world. But when I perform here in San Diego, I get to be with my friends and family, and it is always very special.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Becoming a professional singer and musician so late in life was much harder than becoming a tennis professional when starting young. Learning as an adult is monumentally harder than as a child. As I worked day and night to fulfill my music dream, I went through brutal times mentally and physically. When doubt and incredulity continued to creep in, I had to fight and claw my way through to keep persevering. From my years of playing and teaching tennis, I knew how important having a great teacher was. However, I couldn’t find the right vocal teacher for me. I went through 11 different teachers and found the magic singing teacher on the 12th try. To change my body and its structure from athletics to singing, he had me doing years of yoga, the Alexander technique (this is for body alignment), as well as running 3 to 5 miles a day to build my diaphragm for air support. To help my musicality and music composition, I studied classical piano. However, my fingers and mind would not cooperate. I studied piano with Jazz great Terry Trotter (Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Cole), and I also went to MI (Music Institute in Los Angeles). There I studied music theory, harmony, and live performance. But after singing live on stage, I knew I could improve my movement and stage presence. I then studied jazz and hip-hop dance at Centre Stage in Hollywood. After many, many years and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, I finally went on to reach my dream, and I became a professional musician. To be honest, I never imagined that I would end up traveling the world performing my original music to large audiences. People ask if I am still devastated about the car accident and the loss of my tennis career. The truth is, I would not change a thing as all of the trials and tribulations made me who I am today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What makes me different than other professional singers & musicians is that I came from a background in professional sports and started singing, piano, guitar, and songwriting later in life. I think this gives me a different perspective on what I have achieved and I take nothing for granted. I feel so connected to the audience and am so honored that they are there supporting me and enjoying the show.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
For me, I don’t think luck has played a big part in my life. I think hard work and being an honorable, and compassionate person is what has lead to my success.
Pricing:
- Tennis book – $24.99
Contact Info:
- Website: ericsage.com
- Instagram: @ericsageofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricSageOfficial
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-689615573/sets/eric-sage
Image Credits
Dena Meeder photographer
