Bob Egan has had a pretty good career as the "sideman du jour" for Americana artists. He started in 1988 (long before there was an Americana!) with the historic Souled American, touring the Midwest and playing on their debut record 'Fe.' After dropping out for several years to learn the art of muskrat, love Bob emerged with Freakwater in 1994 to record 'Old Paint' and tour both stateside and in Europe. During one of the domestic tours, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco asked Bob to play on a couple of tracks for their critically acclaimed 'Being There' record.

This was followed by the invitation from the rest of the Wilco boys to record and perform with their side project, Courtesy Move. Shortly thereafter, in 1996 Bob was asked to join Wilco as a sideman on the 'Being There' tours. This job lasted almost two years and exposed Bob to a whole 'nother level of the business: television (performances on Letterman, Conan, HBO, VH-1, Much Music, Canal Plus), festivals (Another Roadside Attraction, the Guiness Fleadghs), and sitting in (with Sheryl Crow, Los Lobos, Tragically Hip, Ron Sexsmith). Bob finished up his tenure with Wilco (very amicably) by recording on the Grammy-nominated collaboration between Woody Guthrie, Wilco a nd Billy Bragg, 'Mermaid Avenue.'

In 1998 Bob found time to work on other's records including Freakwater's 'Springtime,' the Tragically Hip's 'Phantom Power' and Genie Award-winning Oh Susanna's 'Johnstown.' Bob also teamed up with Billy Bragg and Ian McLagan (Faces) to tour the states and Canada in support of 'Mermaid Avenue.'

The bulk of 1998 however was spent writing and recording Bob's self-titled debut record. The reviews of this self-released record were quite favorable comparing his work to that of Steve Earle, the Traveling Wilburys and Roy Orbison. Late '98 and early '99 were spent touring to support the domestic release of this record.

1999 has also been a busy year with Bob spending considerable time in Norway touring (promoting his release on indie label S2), recording (with Scandinavian superstars Madrugada), and producing (Bonker's debut).

Late in 1999 Bob accepted the high-profile sideman position with Canada's multi-platinum country rockers Blue Rodeo. 2000 will be spent on tour with Bl ue Rodeo and finishing the second Bob Egan record.

Selected Discography Bob Egan - "Bob Egan" (1999) GarCorps 007 Super Chikan - "What You See" (1999) Fat Possum 80329-2 the Neckbones - "The Lights Are Getting Dim" (1998) Fat Possum 80327-2 Madrugada - "industrial silence" (1999) Virgin Norway 48272-2 Neco Case - "Furnace Room Lullabye" (1999) Mint Oh Susanna - "Johnstown" (1999) Stella 2 the Tragically Hip - "Phantom Power" (1998) Sire 31025-2 Billy Bragg and Wilco - "Mermaid Avenue" (1998) Electra 62204-2 Freakwater - "Springtime" (1998) Thrill Jockey 047 Wilco - "Being There" (1996) Reprise 46236-2 Freakwater - "Old Paint" (1995) Thrill Jockey 022 Freakwater - "June 6, 1994" (1994) Glitterhouse 376 Souled American - "Fe'" (1988)

Freakwater in London, 1994. Bob and Steve Berlin from Los Lobos "working" on the Tragically Hip's Phantom Power To hear Bob's latest studio work, go to Listen to This.