Schuylkill County musician's songs featured on 2 film soundtracks; movies screened at Majestic

Jan. 29—POTTSVILLE — The music of a Schuylkill County native was heard Saturday night in two films from a Hungarian filmmaker that were screened at the Majestic Theater.

Eric Ziegmont, 50, of Morea, attended the U.S. premiers of "I Hear The Trees Whispering" and "Project Skyquake" at the theater in Pottsville.

The 2022 feature-length films were written and directed by Jozsef Gallai.

It was the first time that Ziegmont's music had been incorporated into the soundtracks of films.

Lisa Gillespie, executive director of the Majestic Theater, said the venue tries to shine a spotlight on local talent.

"Anything generated by the community, I will always try to find a way to put that in (the theater)," she said said before the screening.

The audience heard four of Ziegmont's songs: "Nobody Rides," "If You Were Love," "Caution To The Wind" and "Just Kiss Me."

The first three were in "I Hear The Trees Whispering"; the fourth was in "Project Skyquake."

According to the Internet Movie Database, Gallai was inspired to become a filmmaker after seeing "Lady in the Water," a 2006 film by M. Night Shyamalan.

About 50 people turned out for the films Saturday at the Majestic.

Ziegmont said that Canadian filmmaker Barry J. Gillis, who heard his music online, got in touch with him and facilitated the collaboration between Ziegmont and Gallai.

Ziegmont, who also sings and plays guitar in Sapphire, an area 1980s tribute band, said that he wrote "Nobody Rides" and "Just Kiss Me" with Chris Shadel, whom he met while they both were 11th graders at the vocational-technical school in Frackville.

The other two songs Ziegmont wrote himself.

State of Shock was the name of the first band that Ziegmont was in. It was formed in 1989 and also included Shadel, Joey Ciarvella and Leon Karpovich.

Ziegmont's love of music was ingrained into him from an early age.

"I heard KISS, a rock band, and it changed my life," he said of the experience when he was just 5. Ziegmont said the music was exciting compared to the music of Buddy Holly, a singer whom his father enjoyed.

"As far back as I can remember, I wanted to play in a rock band," Ziegmont said.

His father bought him a guitar when he was 13 years old, and music lessons followed soon afterward.

Ziegmont takes it in stride that his music could potentially be heard around the world via the two movies.

"Strange things can happen," he said.

Mike McCord, of Saint Clair, said he attended Saturday films to support the arts.

Chris Layton, 50, of Brandonville, who knows Ziegmont, said the musician is a humble person.

"Eric's a great guy," he said, adding that he should be proud that his music is featured in film.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023