Eric Jerardi Band, $5

Sure, Eric Jerardi was proud of being labeled by MTV as the midwest’s Best Unsigned College Band. But that was in 1991, and in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately entertainment industry, the Dayton, Oh., native has known all along that he can’t rest on his laurels. Now, with the help of some highly credentialed personnel, Jerardi is out with Virtual Virtue, his third studio album and fifth overall. Chuck Leavell, who played piano and keyboard for The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, The Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton and the late George Harrison, among others, helped Jerardi with what the 32-year-old calls his proudest achievement to date. Leavell, whose influence helped the band capture an already strong emotional flavor, flew into Memphis in December to record on six of the album’s 10 songs. “I’m thrilled to death with the music on this album,” Jerardi said. Add to the mix Nashville veteran Willie Pevear, whose extensive producing resume includes work with the Neville Brothers and Lyle Lovett, and Jerardi can’t compare Virtual Virtue to any of the band’s previous efforts. “I’ve been pretty proud of what we’ve done so far, but this one blows me away.” Jerardi, whose listeners will never accuse him of leaving his personal life out of his lyrics, said that Virtual Virtue will once again reveal the musician’s emotional side.