Eric is the owner and lead engineer of New Wine Studio in Hesperia, California, where he has recorded all of the albums for Backcountry Records, and such artists as Cherryholmes, Ron Block, and Sean and Sara Watkins. Please see Eric's website at www.ericuglum.com and Chris Stuart & Backcountry's at www.chrisstuart.com.

The long-awaited album from Eric Uglum and his two stepsons, Austin Ward and Christian Ward, is finally here. It's called The Old Road to Jerusalem, and it's on our Backcountry Record label. You can buy it from our website! You can listen to short samples of each song too. Produced by Janet Beazley and Eric Uglum, it features twelve amazing cuts of the soulful guitar and singing of Eric, and great work by Austin and Christian on bass and fiddle.

Chris Stuart is a former first prize winner at the Chris Austin Songwriter contest at Merlefest in both the bluegrass and gospel categories. He was an IBMA showcase songwriter in 2003, and was nominated by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America as Songwriter of the Year in 2005. With a critically acclaimed solo album, Angels of Mineral Springs, Chris's songs have been recorded by several top bluegrass artists including Dale Ann Bradley, Claire Lynch, and Larry Cordle. Chris has also taught rhythm guitar and songwriting at the British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop (BCBW) and at the California Bluegrass Association (CBA) music camp, and at the American River Music Camp.

Janet Beazley on banjo is originally from Bakersfield, California, and is an accomplished songwriter, singer, and banjo player. She has taught banjo and music theory classes at both the BCBW and the CBA music camp. She was recently featured in Banjo Newsletter. Janet also holds a doctorate in early music and teaches music history, music appreciation, and historical woodwinds in addition to playing flute, recorder, viola da gamba and historical guitars. Janet's solo album, 5 South appeared on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart in March 2006 with Chris's song "Julia Belle" and has remained in the top 30 for the past eight months.

Mason Tuttle is an accomplished bass player, mandolinist, flatpicker, and harmony singer, Mason is a resident of Missoula, Montana, where he has played in several bluegrass and Americana bands. He is currently working on a solo CD and has also taught mandolin at the British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop.

Austin Ward is a respected bluegrass bassist and sand at the age of sixteen is becoming well-known on the bluegrass circuit. He played with his brother for the CMA Fan Fest with Ricky Skaggs and Earl Scruggs in 2005.

Christian Ward at fourteen is becoming well established as a great bluegrass fiddle player and performed with his brother for the CMA Fan Fest with Ricky Skaggs and Earl Scruggs in 2005. He and Austin will have a new project out in December 2006 featuring the two brothers with their step-Dad Eric Uglum.

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