POTD: Edgar Loudermilk Band
Written by Annette Grady on April 25, 2024
Featuring Jeff Autry
The Edgar Loudermilk Band is a talented bluegrass group known for its soulful vocals, masterful instrumentals, and heartfelt songwriting.
Edgar Loudermilk is a two-time back-to-back SPBGMA “Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year” Award winner and the proud bandleader of the band. He has won over 25 industry awards and nominations for his signature voice, bass skills, and songwriting. Edgar’s crisp baritone lead is powerful, cutting, and expressively tuneful, making him stand out among contemporary bluegrass singers.
Jeff Autry, a renowned flatpicking guitarist, was an integral part of the band. His guitar skills and Edgar’s vocals created a harmonious blend that left audiences spellbound. Jeff departed Edgar Loudermilk Band and recently signed with Turnberry Records to release a solo project.
current Members
Zack Autry is a multi-talented band member who contributes to their rich sound with his outstanding mandolin skills, harmonious vocals, and occasional lead performances. He is also a co-writer with bandleader Edgar Loudermilk, playing a pivotal role in creating much of the band’s original material.
His musical family nurtured Zack’s passion for gospel, bluegrass, and country music from an early age. He began his self-taught musical journey with the mandolin at the age of eight before later expanding to include the fiddle.
Zack plays a Randy Wood model F-5 mandolin and an octave mandolin made by KR Strings’ Kilin Reece in Oahu, Hawaii.
Anthony Howell, an award-winning banjo player from Mississippi, joined the band in the fall of 2022. He has won several accolades, including first place in the 2023 National Bluegrass Banjo Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival and the 2021 Alabama State Championship banjo title.
Anthony is a masterful multi-instrumentalist and excels in leatherwork, creating guitar, banjo, and mandolin straps. His unique banjo style is likely to enhance the musical stylings of the Edgar Loudermilk Band.
In 2024, the band welcomed a talented guitarist named Jake Goforth. Jake is a 17-year-old guitar prodigy from Troy, North Carolina, known for his soulful vocals and proficiency in playing Tony Rice-style guitar. His mighty right hand adds depth to the band’s rhythm section, making him valuable to the ensemble.
Under Edgar Loudermilk’s leadership, these musicians create a harmonious blend of bluegrass.
Success in a song
Edgar Loudermilk Band has received attention for their single “My Picasso”. Penned by Rick Lang and Jerry Eicher, the song tells the story of the mighty Mustang that roamed the Sand Wash Basin. Together the band gives life to the story of the horse many never knew.
One of their recent gospel singles, “The Banks of the River,” co-written by Edgar Loudermilk and mandolin player Zack Autry, has captured the upbeat spirit of an old-time fiddle/banjo number and has received enthusiastic audience responses during live shows. Together, they have crafted captivating performances at various festivals and events.
For opportunities to see Edgar Loudermilk Band perform live or to purchase music, visit their website.
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