When Eric Stuart was growing up, he'd hear artists like The Beatles, Cream, and Peter Frampton on the radio. He never imagined that he'd one day he'd share the bill with some of those legendary players-let alone have them champion his music.

But in the past few years, that's exactly what's happened for the singer/songwriter from Cobble Hill.

In 1997, Stuart's manager heard that Ringo Starr has looking for a singer-acoustic guitarist to open eight dates on the All-Starr Band's northwest tour. The former Beatle made it clear that he only wanted to hear simple acoustic demos, so Stuart recorded a few songs in his Clinton Street apartment, playing guitar and singing into a portable cassette recorder.

Starr heard the tape, liked it and invited Stuart to start the tour with them. After just a few gigs, the opening act won over the headliner's-"He's Great," Starr was heard to exclaim -and was invited to complete the rest of the 28-date tour.

"It took a while for them to let me into their little circle." says Stuart "Every night I would tell the audience what an honor it was to be on the same stage as Ringo and his band (which comprised, among others, Jack Bruce of Cream and '70s superstar Peter Frampton). I guess after awhile they believed I meant it."

The tour lead to another road trip-opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd-and a profession relationship with Frampton.

"I'd heard that Peter was looking for projects to produce, and so I called him and asked him if he would be interested in working with me." The veteran guitarist, who shot to super stardom in the mid 70s with the landmark album "Frampton Comes Alive," was enthusiastic and the two men met in Nashville, where Frampton now lives.

"We spoke about our ideas and what we were both looking to achieve," says Stuart. "We got along really well and that's what really clinched it."

Backed by a group of top-flight Nashville Cats, plus some stellar guitar playing by his famous producer, Stuart cut six songs in Nashville. "More than even the advice he's given me about how the business works, Peter's given me the confidence to stick to my guns and do the kinds of music I believe in," says Stuart. "He truly believes that sooner or later somebody's gonna go for it."

Judging by the four-song Frampton -produced CD that Stuart's handlers are shopping to record labels, it's surprising that no one has yet decided to "go for it." Stuart's sound is radio-friendly, somewhat reminiscent of Dave Mathews or Hootie and the Blowfish, with story-and message-songs that boast strong hooks, thoughtful lyrics and expressive vocals.

While he may be without a record deal, Stuart's got what most up-and-comers would kill for-the support of several rock legends and a wealth of touring experience. AT Stuart's recent Mercury Lounge gig, Peter Frampton joined him onstage for a song. Calculating all the tours he's done in the past few years (he's also opened for Hall and Oates and Jethro Tull) Stuart estimates he's played for half a million people.

"As a musician it was probably the most incredible experience to reach that many people at once and feel the roar of the crowd coming back at you, once I'd won them over," he says.

In a business of long shots, Stuart is patiently optimistic that his efforts will pay off, as is Frampton, who after the Mercury Lounge gig told his protege, "You've got it!" But he keeps his perspective focused, knowing it;s the quality of his material and the feedback from the fans that really matter.

"I write what I think I would enjoy listening to and hopefully people will connect to it also," he says.

One of Stuart's crowd-pleasing originals is "Home," a touching song of patience rewarded and family reunited after several years."After my gigs people would come up to me telling me that the song was their story, that it made them cry," he says. "To me, that's what being a songwriter is all about."

Richard Younger/The Brooklyn Paper