Lou Wamp, Resophonic Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin
After knowing just a few things about Lou Wamp, there might be an irresistible tendency to begin tossing out labels: “Driven”, “Renaissance Man”, “Multi-talented”, “Perplexing”, or, perhaps if he himself were doing the labeling, just “Perplexed”. Easy enough to understand, given he’s at once a 25-year veteran of the music business, a registered architect with a successful practice (see www.louiswamp.com), impressively talented artist and painter, amateur archaeologist, and father and stepfather to six kids.
Besides being a sought after sideman and studio musician, he certainly has the skill to be a solo artist in his own right. Born in Ft. Benning, GA in 1956, Lou had plenty of music (Elvis to Travis; Bach to Beatles) around home while growing up. After piano lessons and playing guitar in his high school jazz band, a broken wrist encouraged him to take up resonator guitar. Gene Wooten became a close friend and mentor. Lou played on "Sidemen" nights at the Station Inn in Nashville and was in a band called Hiwassee Ridge that performed at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville. Other bands he's worked with include James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers, The Dismembered Tennesseans, Cowjazz, Blue Moon Rising, and others.
In 2004, he formed the Wizards of String (now Swing Shift) and released his debut resophonic guitar project, “ResOlution” produced by Butch Baldassari featuring 9 original instrumental tunes (and 2 great covers) with guest artists Jim Hurst, Byron House, Andy Leftwich, Justin Moses, Tom Roady and Jessica Lovell and Lynn Wamp. It was a labor of love and all involved believed strongly in the talents of a fine reso player who, with this project, would prove he could stand with the giants of the industry. Lou continues to play, write, record and collaborate with the above and a number of other great musicians.
Artist Information
Biography
My music began with classical training on piano from age 8-14. Influences from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven to Beatles, Led Zeppelin, CSN & Young, James Taylor, Credence etc...began guitar at age 13. I played guitar in high school Jazz Band and local rock and folk bands through college years. Post college, I
began playing dobro with bluegrass acts, Hiwassee Ridge and The Dismembered Tennesseans and added mandolin and fiddle to my skills.
Influences from Flatt and Scruggs, Hank Williams, Bob Wills to Mike Auldridge, Ricky Skaggs,
David Grisman, Mark O'connor, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bela Fleck and Alison Krauss.
Toured with James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers, playing dobro and performing with Bill Monroe. Toured with Blue Moon Rising, won IBMA showcase, Released acclaimed debut Resophonic project of original music, 'ResOlution' produced by Butch Baldassari. Formed band to tour projects including Swing Shift project, co-produced with Baldassari. What sets us apart form many other bands is our love of instrumental music and ability to go seamlessly from baroque to jazz to blues to western swing to bluegrass to pop and back again
as well as perform original compositions reflecting this broad background.
Besides being a sought after sideman and studio musician, he certainly has the skill to be a solo artist in his own right. Born in Ft. Benning, GA in 1956, Lou had plenty of music (Elvis to Travis; Bach to Beatles) around home while growing up. After piano lessons and playing guitar in his high school jazz band, a broken wrist encouraged him to take up resonator guitar. Gene Wooten became a close friend and mentor. Lou played on "Sidemen" nights at the Station Inn in Nashville and was in a band called Hiwassee Ridge that performed at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville. Other bands he's worked with include James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers, The Dismembered Tennesseans, Cowjazz, Blue Moon Rising, and others.
In 2004, he formed the Wizards of String (now Swing Shift) and released his debut resophonic guitar project, “ResOlution” produced by Butch Baldassari featuring 9 original instrumental tunes (and 2 great covers) with guest artists Jim Hurst, Byron House, Andy Leftwich, Justin Moses, Tom Roady and Jessica Lovell and Lynn Wamp. It was a labor of love and all involved believed strongly in the talents of a fine reso player who, with this project, would prove he could stand with the giants of the industry. Lou continues to play, write, record and collaborate with the above and a number of other great musicians.
Artist Information
Biography
My music began with classical training on piano from age 8-14. Influences from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven to Beatles, Led Zeppelin, CSN & Young, James Taylor, Credence etc...began guitar at age 13. I played guitar in high school Jazz Band and local rock and folk bands through college years. Post college, I
began playing dobro with bluegrass acts, Hiwassee Ridge and The Dismembered Tennesseans and added mandolin and fiddle to my skills.
Influences from Flatt and Scruggs, Hank Williams, Bob Wills to Mike Auldridge, Ricky Skaggs,
David Grisman, Mark O'connor, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bela Fleck and Alison Krauss.
Toured with James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers, playing dobro and performing with Bill Monroe. Toured with Blue Moon Rising, won IBMA showcase, Released acclaimed debut Resophonic project of original music, 'ResOlution' produced by Butch Baldassari. Formed band to tour projects including Swing Shift project, co-produced with Baldassari. What sets us apart form many other bands is our love of instrumental music and ability to go seamlessly from baroque to jazz to blues to western swing to bluegrass to pop and back again
as well as perform original compositions reflecting this broad background.