Eric Uglum

Eric Uglum working at the studio.

Eric Uglum (born November 22, 1961) is an American folk and bluegrass musician, vocalist, producer, and audio engineer. He has had a productive career in bluegrass and folk music as a solo artist, a member of many bands and has been featured in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine,^[1] Bluegrass Today,^[2] and Bluegrass Now magazine.^[3] He is owner-operator of New Wine Sound Studios and Mastering Lab in Southern California and has worked with many artists including: Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, Sean Watkins, Sara Watkins, Stuart Duncan, Ron Block, Rob Ickes, Neal Casal, Sierra Hull, The Black Market Trust and Gonzalo Bergara. In addition to working independently through his New Wine Sound Studio and Mastering Lab, Uglum is also a staff engineer at Blue Night Records.^[4]

Biography

Uglum was born November 22, 1961 as Eric Alfred Benjamin Lussky in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States, and was raised in Huntington Beach, California.

1982–1990

Uglum began his music career in Huntington Beach, California where he received his first guitar—a Guild D25M—at age 13. In 1982 he won the title of West Coast Flatpicking Guitar Champion.^[5]

In 1986 Uglum (guitar/lead vocal), Ron Block (guitar/vocals), and Mike Bub (bass) formed the band Weary Hearts.^[6] The band was later joined by Butch Baldassari (mandolin) and Chris Jones (guitar). In 1987 Weary Hearts released an album of traditional Gospel songs entitled "Faith is the Answer".^[7]

In 1988, after touring with Weary Hearts for two years, Uglum formed another band, New Wine. The lineup consisted of Eric Uglum (guitar/vocals), Ron Block (guitar/banjo/vocals), Sandra Block (bass/vocals) and Rob Ickes (dobro).^[8]

1991–1999

After Ron Block left Weary Hearts to pursue his career with Alison Krauss and Union Station, Uglum teamed up with Janet Beazley (banjo), Marshall Andrews (bass), and Bud Bierhaus (guitar) to form Copperline. They released an album entitled "Long, Long Way" and performed at the International Bluegrass Music Association conference in 1996.^[9]

In 1997, Uglum (guitar/mandolin/vocals) joined the traditional Southern California Bluegrass band, Lost Highway. The band featured Ken Orrick (guitar/vocals), Dick Brown (banjo), Marshall Andrews (bass) and Paul Shelasky (fiddle).^[10] The band toured extensively around the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.^[11] In 2000 Lost Highway released "Lifetime of Sorrow" an album featuring Ralph Stanley on guest tenor vocal.^[12]

2000–present

Uglum released his first solo album, "Shenandoah Wind", in January 2004.^[13][14] The album features guests such as Alison Krauss (singing harmony on the title track), Ron Block, Rob Ickes and Stuart Duncan.^[15]

• 2002 Eric Uglum also has recorded a Bluegrass Band called HWY 52 studio album Silver Quarter with Wayne Dickerson, Chris Stuart, Elizabeth Burkett and Richard Burkett (Now Wayne Dickerson's son Evan Dickerson known on stage Evan Dickerson - MacNintch took the band name over and the name is called "Evan Dickerson - MacNintch & HWY 52")

• 2005 Eric also recorded Wayne Dickerson's songs on Wayne Dickerson's album which it didn't go to the stores yet

In 2006, Uglum joined three bands in a tour which brought traditional American bluegrass music to The Sultanate of Oman.^[16] The bands, all from Southern California, were Lost Highway, Chris Stuart & Backcountry,^[17] and Uglum & Sons. While in Oman, the bands performed at the Muscat Festival,^[18] a cultural event celebrating diversity in the Omani populace. The tour also included concerts and workshops for schools, and performances for the American Embassy staff and private interests.

In 2007 Uglum (guitar) joined Chris Stuart (guitar/ lead vocals), Janet Beazley (banjo) and his stepsons Austin Ward (upright bass) and Christian Ward (fiddle) in the band, Chris Stuart & Backcountry.^[19] The band has released three albums to date entitled "Mojave River", "Crooked Man" and "Saints and Strangers".

Also in 2007, Uglum began performing in a trio with his stepsons Austin Ward (bass) and Christian Ward (fiddle). The trio toured nationally^[20][21] and released an album produced by Janet Beazley entitled, "The Old Road to Jerusalem".^[22]

New Wine Sound Studio and Mastering Lab

In 1997, he began engineering and producing out of his New Wine Sound Studio and Mastering Lab in Southern California.^[23] Clients have included Ron Block, Sierra Hull, Sean Watkins and many more.^[24]

Uglum continues to operate New Wine Sound Studio and is currently touring with Bud Bierhaus & The Vintage Martins. Their debut album is scheduled for release in March 2016.

Partial discography

Solo albums

• 2004: Shenandoah Wind  – Primary Artist: Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering^[25]

Other credits and contributions

• 2015: Debby Clinkenbeard – Waiting on the Wind Featuring Neal Casal – Mixing, Mastering, Engineer, Lead/Rhythm Guitar ^[26]
• 2013: Ron Block – The Walking Song – Mixing
• 2012: Gonzalo Bergara Quartet – Walking Home – Mixing, Engineer^[27]
• 2012: Gonzalo Bergara Quartet – Simplicated  – Mixing, Engineer^[28]
• 2009: Cathy-Anne McClintock – Cathy-Anne McClintock – Engineer, Guitar (Acoustic), Mixing, Mastering
• 2009: Lee Watson and The Panthers – "Northern Track" – Mastering, Post Production
• 2009: The Breakmen —When You Leave Town – Mastering
• 2008: Sierra Hull – Secrets – Mixing, Mastering
• 2008: Lost Highway – A Bluegrass Gospel Collection – Guitar, Mandolin, Mastering, Tenor (Vocal), Vocals
• 2008: Various – The Bluegrass Tribute to Jack Johnson – Engineer, Guitar, Mandolin, Mixing
• 2007: Eric Uglum & Sons – The Old Road to Jerusalem (2007) – Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering
• 2007: Cliff Wagner – My Native Mind – Guitar, Tenor (Vocal)
• 2007: Ron Block – DoorWay – Engineer, Production Assistant
• 2007: Greg Spatz – Fiddler's Dream  – Mastering
• 2007: Sally Jones – Songs About US – Engineer, Guitar, Mixing, Producer, Vocal Harmony
• 2005: Lost Highway – A Bluegrass Gospel Collection – Guitar, Mandolin, Mixing, Tenor (Vocal)^[29]
• 2003: Chris Stuart  – Saints and Strangers – Mastering, Mixing
• 2002: Chris Stuart  – Angels of Mineral Springs – Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Mandolin, Vocal Harmony
• 2002 Highway 52 - Silver Quarter
• 2002: Ken Orrick  – Pictures and Stories – Engineer, Guitar, Mandolin, Mastering, Mixing, Producer, Tenor (Vocal)
• 2001: Ron Spears  —Grandpa Loved the Carolina Mountains – Engineer, Mixing
• 2001: Ron Block – Faraway Land – Engineer, Production Assistant
• 2001: Sean Watkins— Let It Fall – Engineer, Mixing
• 2000: Lost Highway – A Lifetime of Sorrow – Engineer, Guitar, Mandolin, Mixing, Tenor (Vocal)
• 2000: Lost Highway – Headin' Down That Lost Highway – Engineer, Mixing, Producer, Vocals
• 2000: Kevin Buchanan  —Silvertown – Mastering
• 1990: Butch Baldassari  —Old Town – Guitar (Rhythm)
• 1990: Don and the Roping Dummies  —Don and the Roping Dummies – Engineer
• 1990: Joe Reese  — Fashioned Too Fragile – Engineer
• 1990: Many Voices, One Heart  – More Than This - Engineer, Mixing, Mastering
• 1990: Scott Arthur —Road Less Traveled – Engineer, Guitar, Mandolin, Mastering, Mixing, Producer
• 1990: The Restless Hillfillies – Mastering
• 1990: Walden Dahl – Walden Dahl – Mastering^[30]

References

External links

• Eric Uglum's official website
• The Vintage Martins
• Debby Clinkenbeard