Eric Ambel

Eric Ambel
Background information
Also known as	Eric "Roscoe" Ambel; Eric Roscoe Ambel
Born	(1957-08-20) August 20, 1957 (age 66) Kankakee, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Americana, folk rock, rock, alternative country
Occupation(s)	Musician, record producer
Instrument(s)	Guitarist, multi-instrumentalist
Labels	Enigma Records/EMI Records Bloodshot Records
Website	EricAmbel.com

Eric "Roscoe" Ambel (born August 20, 1957) is an American guitarist and record producer.

He has worked with a wide range of artists including Nils Lofgren, Steve Earle, the Yayhoos, Del Lords, The Bottle Rockets, Joan Jett, Mojo Nixon, Blood Oranges, Blue Mountain, Freedy Johnston and Mary Lee's Corvette. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Early life

Eric "Roscoe" Ambel" was born August 20, 1957, in Kankakee, Illinois. At a young age, Eric took up the piano and trumpet as part of the School music program. Around 10 years old Eric borrowed a guitar from his neighbor and began to teach himself with a chord book and by playing along with records. Eric played both trumpet and guitar throughout his college career at University of Wyoming.

"Ambel first took up the rock 'n' roll torch in the late 1970s while attending college the University of Wyoming, where he formed the punk combo the Dirty Dogs, who released the cult-classic single "Sorority Girl" before changing their name to the Accelerators and relocating to Los Angeles. In L.A. the Accelerators recorded and released an EP called "It's Cool To Rock" produced by Danny Holloway (Plimsouls, Bob Marley). Then, after playing with Rik L Rik and Top Jimmy, he began a two-year stint as lead guitarist in Joan Jett's original Blackhearts, touring extensively and playing on her I Love Rock 'n' Roll album. He exited in the early 1980s to co-found the gritty New York foursome the Del-Lords, which also included ex-Dictator Scott Kempner and future Cracker drummer Frank Funaro, which released four highly regarded studio albums and helped usher in the 1980s roots-rock mini-boom." ^[4]

Later life

"Veteran singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer/raconteur Eric Ambel—known to friends, associates, and bandmates as Roscoe—is the possessor of an estimable musical resume that’s established his credentials as a deeply committed rocker as well as a witty and thoughtful songwriter. Between his current duties as producer, bandleader, studio proprietor, bar owner, member of the uber-bar-band supergroup the Yayhoos, and lead guitarist of Steve Earle’s band the Dukes, he’s found time to launch his own label, Lakeside Lounge Records, to redress the longstanding absence of Ambel solo product from the marketplace. ^[4]

Lakeside Lounge Records’ initial release is Knucklehead, ^[5] the first new Eric Ambel album in nearly a decade. The disc compiles 15 previously unreleased tracks recorded by Ambel in a variety of locations over the past 14 years with a variety of notable collaborators, including his fondly-remembered ’80s band the Del-Lords, the Bottle Rockets, Andy York (John Mellencamp), Warner Hodges (Jason and the Scorchers), Will Rigby (the dB’s), Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu), Tony Shanahan (Patti Smith), Ron Gremp (the Morells), Steven Terry (Whiskeytown), Martin’s Folly and Ambel’s Yayhoos cohorts Dan Baird, Keith Christopher and Terry Anderson. Also lending a hand is Steve Earle, who contributes a previously unheard composition, "The Usual Time", and adds vocals to a new version of the Del-Lords chestnut "Judas Kiss".

In 1996, Ambel co-founded the Yayhoos with ex-Georgia Satellites frontman Dan Baird, Satellites/Shaver/Roscoe's Gang bassist Keith Christopher and noted drummer/tunesmith Terry Anderson, who released their long-brewing debut album Fear Not the Obvious on Bloodshot Records in 2001. Also in 1996, Ambel opened the popular East Village bar the Lakeside Lounge, which he co-owns and where he sometimes performs. In 1999, he inaugurated Cowboy Technical Services, his own 24-track analog/digital recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which has since played host to the likes of Ryan Adams, Robert Randolph, Steve Wynn, Marshall Crenshaw, Laura Cantrell, Marah, the Silos, the Damnwells and Martin's Folly.

In 2000, he became the lead guitarist in Steve Earle’s touring and recording band the Dukes, appearing on such projects as Earle’s acclaimed Jerusalem album, the documentary profile Just An American Boy and the Grammy Award-winning record The Revolution Starts…..Now. Ambel recorded and toured with Earle and the Dukes from 2000 through 2005.

In June 2006 Ambel’s Lakeside Lounge label releases the new Yayhoos CD titled Put The Hammer Down. Also in 2006 Ambel's song "Baby I Love You" from the Yayhoos Fear Not the Obvious was featured as the closing credits song in James Gunn's Horror/Comedy film SLiTHER.

Ambel has been producing records for many artists including Kasey Anderson, The Travelling Band, Mark McKay, and the Bottle Rockets while playing gigs with the Roscoe Trio and playing guitar for Mike Ferrio's band Tandy.

In 2008 New West Records released Steve Earle's Live From Austin, TX from the Austin City Limits on November 12, 2000, featuring Eric as a member of the Dukes.

In 2009 The Bottle Rockets Ambel produced Lean Forward was released by Bloodshot Records. Ambel also began work on his Gringoman recordings which find him playing all the instruments and doing most of the recording in his home studio Lily’s Terrace in the East Village.

In 2010 the Del-Lords released the Ambel produced Under Construction EP. The recent reissues of their records had brought them back together. After a couple of undercover warm-up gigs in the North East, the band played their first tour in 20 years in Spain. Back in NYC Ambel began work on Chris Barron’s next solo record and albums from Ben Hall from Nashville and the Tallboys of Kentucky. ^[4] "

As a member of The Yayhoos with Dan Baird, Keith Christopher, and Terry Anderson, the band put out the record “Put The Hammer Down” in 2006. In the 1980s Del-Lords reformed and put out a record titled “Elvis Club” in 2013. After 11 years, Eric put out his first solo record titled “Lakeside” after a bar he co-owned. He also runs Cowboy Technical Services, a recording studio, with Tim Hatfield. ^[6]

Discography

Main article: Eric Ambel discography

Awards & Contributions

^[7]

2016	Canis Majoris	Esquela	Producer
2015	#392: The EP Collection	Marshall Crenshaw	Mixing
2015	Blue Healer	Jimbo Mathus	Primary Artist
2015	South Broadway Athletic Club	The Bottle Rockets	Mixing, Photography, Vocals, Guitars, Composer
2014	Face the Music	Nils Lofgren	Guitar, Producer, Vocals
2014	The Box Set Series	Run-D.M.C.	Guitar
2013	Bottle Rockets/The Brooklyn Side	The Bottle Rockets	Transfers, Reissue Coordination, Guest Artist, Mixing
2013	Elvis Club	The Del-Lords	Engineer, Guitar, Vocal Harmony, Soloist, Inside Photo, Composer, Keyboards, Vocals
2013	Let Me Turn You On!		Composer, Guitar, Instrumentation
2013	Are We Rolling?	Esquela	Producer
2011	Heart Of A Dog	Kasey Anderson and the Honkies	Composer
2011	Not So Loud: An Acoustic Evening	The Bottle Rockets	Mixing
2010	The Music of Run DMC	Run-D.M.C.	Guitar
2010	The Owl Has Landed	Esquela	Producer
2009	A New Beginning	Ted Morris	Mixing
2009	Lean Forward	The Bottle Rockets	Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
2009	Royal City	Royal City	Engineer
2009	This Song Kills Cancer, Vol. 1		Producer
2008	Live from Austin TX November 12, 2000	Steve Earle	Main Personnel, Vocals, Guitar
2007	Brooklyn Bridge	Casey Neill	Guitar (Electric)
2007	Dismissed With a Kiss	Spanking Charlene	Producer, Photography, Guitar, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Wah Wah Guitar, Soloist, Dulcitone
2007	Let Go	Keri Noble	Guitar (Electric)
2007	Low	Miss Ohio	Mixing, Keyboards
2007	Reckoning	Kasey Anderson	Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String), Guitar (Baritone), E-Bow, Trumpet, Keyboards, Tambourine, Vocals (Background), Hi String Guitar, Mando-Guitar
2007	Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems	Emmylou Harris	Vocals, Guitar
2006	Harpo's Ghost	Thea Gilmore	Engineer, Guitar (Electric), Harmonium
2006	In the Raw	Sugar Mountain	Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Pump Organ, Vocals (Background), Vocal Harmony, Fuzz Guitar, Telecaster
2006	Love, Loss & Lunacy	Mary Lee's Corvette	Producer, Guitar (12 String), Drum Programming
2006	Put the Hammer Down	The Yayhoos	Producer, Liner Notes, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Piano, Drums, Percussion, Clapping, Dulcitone, Fuzz Guitar, Group Member, Composer
2006	Slither [Music from the Motion Picture]	Allan Wilson	Composer
2006	Wire Waltz	The Last Town Chorus	Engineer
2005	Best: 1991-2003	Joe d'Urso & Stone Caravan	Producer, Musician
2005	Favorites 1990-2005	Nils Lofgren	Producer, Audio Production, Main Personnel, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Timpani
2005	For a Decade of Sin: 11 Years of Bloodshot Records		Producer, Mixing, Group Member
2005	Keri Noble	Keri Noble	Guitar (Electric)
2005	Lowe Profile: A Tribute to Nick Lowe		Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Primary Artist
2005	My Own Backyard	Ann Klein	Guitar (Acoustic)
2005	Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass-Kickin Team	Terry Anderson	Guitar
2004	Austin City Limits Music Festival: 2003		Guitar
2004	Dead Roses	Kasey Anderson	Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String Electric), E-Bow, Piano, Wurlitzer, Tambourine, Dulcitone
2004	Knucklehead	Eric Ambel	Primary Artist, Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Photography, Vocals, Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Organ, Soloist, Dulcitone, Composer
2004	Shimmer	Mark McKay	Producer, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Baritone), E-Bow, Piano, Organ, Wurlitzer, Tambourine, Vocals (Background), Dulcitone
2004	The Q People: A Tribute to NRBQ		Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background)
2004	The Revolution Starts...Now	Steve Earle	Main Personnel, Vocals, Guitar, Group Member
2003	700 Miles	Mary Lee's Corvette	Producer, Mixing, Audio Production, Photography, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (12 String), Organ, Drum Programming, Vocals (Background), String Arrangements, Dulcitone
2003	From Hope	Martin's Folly	Producer, Mixing, Recorder, Horn, Percussion
2003	Split Personality	The Gamma Rays	Vocals, Guitar
2003	The Songs of Hank Williams Jr.: A Bocephus Celebration		Mixing
2003	Used Country Female	Tammy Faye Starlite	Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Tambourine, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Rhythm)
2003	What's in the Bag?	Marshall Crenshaw	Producer, Guitar (Bass), Dulcitone
2002	Chooglin': A Tribute to the Songs of John Fogerty		Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Drums
2002	Come Along	The Dark Horses	Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Organ, Tambourine
2002	Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down: A Tribute to Kris Kristofferson		Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Bass
2002	Jerusalem	Steve Earle	Vocals, Guitar
2002	Perfect City	Florence Dore	Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String), Piano, Organ, Vocals (Background), Dulcitone
2002	The Lowdown: 1997-2002	Tandy	Trumpet
2001	Cripplin' Crutch	Joe Flood	Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String Electric), Percussion, Vocals (Background)
2001	Fear Not the Obvious	The Yayhoos	Producer, Engineer, Photography, Vocals, Guitar, Composer
2001	Green Pop	Big In Iowa	Producer, Mixing, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, 12-String, Baritone), Tambourine, Trumpet
2001	Pulling up Atlantis	Demolition String Band	Producer
2001	The Bloodroot Transcriptions	Tandy	Trumpet
2000	Boarding House Rules	Tom Heyman	Mastering
2000	Down to the Promised Land: 5 Years of Bloodshot Records		Producer, Engineer, Vocals, Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Dulcimer, Keyboards, Drums, Percussion, Bass
2000	Lot No. 99-0038	Robert Becker	Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Bass
2000	Tarheel Boogie	Jimmy Nations	Guitar (Acoustic)
1999	Brand New Year	The Bottle Rockets	Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (12 String), Slide Guitar, Guitar (Baritone), Wah Wah Guitar, Organ, Shaker, Dulcitone
1999	Crown Royal	Run-D.M.C.	Guitar
1999	Get Tough: The Best of the Del-Lords	The Del-Lords	Mixing, Guitar, Bass
1999	It's Heartbreak That Sells: A Tribute to Ray Mason		Producer, Engineer, Performer, Primary Artist
1999	Man, It's Cold	Martin's Folly	Producer, Mixing, Guitar, Trumpet, Keyboards
1999	Sessions from the Flats	Ghosts of the Canal	Production Coordination
1999	Southern Lines	The Backsliders	Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Electric), Composer
1999	Stir of Echoes		Composer
1999	This Ain't No Tribute Blues Cube		Guitar
1999	This Note's for You Too!: A Tribute to Neil Young		Performer, Primary Artist
1999	True Lovers of Adventure	Mary Lee's Corvette	Producer, Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
1999	Ultimate Collection	Nils Lofgren	Producer, Guitar (Electric)
1999	West Virginia Dog Track Boogie	The Cowslingers	Producer
1998	Dolly Horrorshow	The Blacks	Producer
1998	Leftovers	The Bottle Rockets	Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Slide Guitar, Organ (Hammond), Harmony
1998	Little Big Man	Jono Manson	Producer, Mixing
1998	Popular Demons	Greg Trooper	Composer
1998	What's So Funny	Angry Johnny & The Killbillies	Guitar, Organ (Hammond)
1997	24 Hours a Day	The Bottle Rockets	Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String), Piano, Organ, Mellotron, Tambourine, Percussion, Clapping, Harmony
1997	Bug Bite Daddy	Simon Chardiet	Producer
1997	Characters		Producer
1997	Gadzooks: The Homemade Bootleg	Mojo Nixon	Guest Artist, Producer, Vocals, Guitar
1997	Killing Time [EP]	Love Riot	Producer
1997	Mexican Blackbird	The Cowslingers	Producer, Guitar
1997	Paint It Blue: Songs of the Rolling Stones		Guitar
1997	Straight Outta Boone Country		Producer, Drums, Vocals (Background), Bass
1997	Surf Guitar Greats		Producer
1996	Buffalo Nickel	Dan Baird	Composer
1996	East Side Story, Vol. 1		Performer, Composer, Primary Artist
1996	Life Is Large	The Kennedys	Guest Artist, Guitar (Electric)
1996	Martin's Folly	Martin's Folly	Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet, Piano, Percussion
1996	Mary Lee's Corvette	Mary Lee's Corvette	Producer, Mixing
1996	Maybe She Will	Love Riot	Producer, Mixing, Guitar, Percussion, Mastering
1996	Rig Rock Deluxe: A Musical Salute to the American Truck Drivers		Producer, Vocals, Guitar
1996	That's Truckdriving	The Cowslingers	Producer, Mixing
1996	The Knitter	Cheri Knight	Guest Artist, Producer
1996	Trucker's Last Dollar	The Cowslingers	Producer, Guitar (Acoustic)
1996	Waiting Around for the Crash	Go to Blazes	Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Penny Whistle, Trumpet, Vocals (Background)
1996	Wooden Leg	Wooden Leg	Guest Artist, Mixing
1995	Cool Down Time	Dan Zanes	Composer
1995	Dog Days	Blue Mountain	Guest Artist, Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Shaker
1995	Look at Me I'm Cool!	Simon & the Bar Sinisters	Producer, Photography, Guitar (Acoustic), Shaker, Vocal Harmony
1995	Loud & Lonesome	Eric Ambel & Roscoe's Gang	Producer, Arranger, Mixing, Liner Notes, Primary Artist, Vocals, Guitar, Composer
1995	Sing Hollies in Reverse		Producer, Performer, Primary Artist
1995	The Brooklyn Side	The Bottle Rockets	Producer
1995	The Live from Mountain Stage, Vol. 8		Guitar
1995	Whereabouts Unknown	Mojo Nixon	Producer
1994	Anytime...Anywhere	Go to Blazes	Producer, Mixing, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String), Dobro, Percussion, Vocals (Background), Composer
1994	Love & A .45		Producer
1994	Star Power		Producer, Vocals, Slide Guitar
1994	The Crying Tree	Blood Oranges	Producer, Mixing
1993	Marijuana's Greatest Hits Revisited		Producer, Guitar
1993	Rig Rock Truck Stop		Producer, Vocals, Guitar
1992	Crooked Line	Nils Lofgren	Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Timpani
1992	Just a Little	Nils Lofgren	Producer, Vocals, Guitar
1992	Lone Green Valley	Blood Oranges	Producer
1992	Rig Rock Jukebox		Producer, Guitar, 6-String Bass, Bass
1991	20 Explosive Dynamic Super Smash Hit Explosions!		Guitar, Fuzz Guitar
1990	Lovers Who Wander	The Del-Lords	Featured Artist, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (12 String), Vocal Harmony, Performer, Guitar (Rickenbacker)
1990	Otis	Mojo Nixon	Guitar, Vocals (Background)
1989	Howlin' at the Halloween Moon	The Del-Lords	Guitar
1989	Live at Raji's	The Del-Lords	Guitar
1989	Surprise	Syd Straw	Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
1988	Based on a True Story	The Del-Lords	Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
1988	Roscoe's Gang	Eric Ambel	Primary Artist, Producer, Liner Notes, Vocals, Guitar, Composer
1986	Johnny Comes Marching Home	The Del-Lords	Vocals, Guitar, Group Member, Composer
1986	Luxury Condos Coming to Your Neighborhood Soon		Producer, Vocals, Guitar
1984	Frontier Days	The Del-Lords	Vocals, Guitar
1981	Bad Reputation	Joan Jett	Guitar

References

1. Stewart, Allison (July 2004). "Lord of the Lakeside". No Depression. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
2. Myers, Mitch (September 1996). "Eric Ambel, Lord of the Lakeside". No Depression. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
3. Trucks, Rob (July 2006). "We're Rolling". No Depression. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
4. "Bio: history | ericambel.com". ericambel.com. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
5. "store | ericambel.com". ericambel.com. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
6. from an interview on Americana Music Show #295, published April 12, 2016.
7. "Eric Ambel | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 13, 2016.

External links

• Official website
• at Bandcamp
• Eric Ambel at AllMusic
• Eric Ambel discography at Discogs