NEW ORLEANS — Eric Paulsen had his finger on the pulse of the local music scene, uplifting artists big and small. WWL Louisiana's Whitney Miller sat down with New Orleans songbird and award-winning artist Robin Barnes, who was a regular on the WWL morning show.
It has been touching — listening to people talk about Eric on Saturday — and every one of them will quickly tell you how much he loved the music of this city.
Robin Barnes said no one lifted her up quite like Eric.
“To say that in my career I’ve ended up being close friends with Eric is crazy to me," Barnes said. "Because I remember growing up and my grandmother cooking in the kitchen and her telling me just how she was so in love with Eric Paulsen.”
Looking through the photos of Robin and Eric, you can see just how much the two meant to each other.
“This is someone who has always been in my corner and Eric has definitely been one of those people who have always told me to just aim for the stars. Aim for the moon and never give up," Barnes said. "Never just settle for what you think you’re supposed to do. Go bigger, he always pushed me to go bigger.”
“I feel like to New Orleans, Eric felt like home. He was a constant comfort that was such a beacon of light to everyone. I truly feel there will never be another Eric. He was such an amazing person, such an amazing friend. He is going to be truly missed by New Orleans" — Robin Barnes
Now Robin Barnes is a billboard charting artist — an award-winning vocalist but she remembers when that was really just a dream.
“I was told by so many people in the industry that a little girl from the Lower Ninth Ward couldn’t do that," she said. "And I will never forget, and I have a photo of us at my EP release party and there was Eric in the crowd. There were so many people that were like wow, he’s taking her seriously.”
Barnes said it's his support and even more — his friendship that made all the difference. She said Eric Paulsen feels like home and will truly be missed.
“He’s always been such a big part of my life," Barnes said. "And you know I’ve always said if I ever won a Grammy I would have Eric and Bethany with me. Now I’m like now I’ve gotta win that Grammy, I will win that Grammy for Eric.”
And she plans to really do that in his honor.
'New Orleans songbird' Robin Barnes remembers WWL news icon Eric Paulsen
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.