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Eric Ambel

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Eric Ambel
Background information
Also known asEric "Roscoe" Ambel; Eric Roscoe Ambel
Born (1957-08-20) August 20, 1957 (age 68)
Kankakee, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Guitarist
  • multi-instrumentalist
Years active
  • Late 1970s-present
Labels
Websiteericambel.com

Eric "Roscoe" Ambel (born August 20, 1957)[citation needed] 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 and education

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Eric "Roscoe" Ambel was born August 20, 1957, in Kankakee, Illinois, and grew up in Batavia, Illinois.[4] He began playing music in school, taking up piano and trumpet, and attended the University of Wyoming, where he played trumpet in the marching band.[4]

Career

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Early bands and Joan Jett

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Ambel has credited a 1976 Ramones and Dictators concert in Chicago, which he attended on tickets won from the radio station WXRT, with drawing him toward punk rock.[4] He formed a band called the Dirty Dogs in Laramie, Wyoming, which relocated to Los Angeles and was renamed the Accelerators.[4] After the group disbanded, he played with Rik L Rik and with Top Jimmy.[4]

In 1979, Ambel joined Joan Jett's backing band, the Blackhearts, as lead guitarist, and played on the album I Love Rock 'n' Roll before leaving in 1981.[4] He then moved to New York City and became a founding member of the Del-Lords, alongside former Dictators guitarist Scott Kempner and drummer Frank Funaro. The band released four studio albums and a live album between 1984 and 1990.[4]

Production work and Lakeside Lounge

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Ambel began producing in the 1980s, recording singles for the Brooklyn truck-driving label Diesel Only Records during his time with the Del-Lords.[4] He has cited his production of Nils Lofgren's Crooked Line (Rykodisc) as an early breakthrough.[4] His production credits since have included albums for the Bottle Rockets, Blue Mountain, the Backsliders, Blood Oranges and Sarah Borges, among others.

The Yayhoos, a group Ambel formed with former Georgia Satellites frontman Dan Baird, bassist Keith Christopher and drummer Terry Anderson, grew out of a 1993 songwriting gathering; the group wrote and recorded its debut album in 1996, though Bloodshot Records did not release Fear Not the Obvious until 2001.[5] In April 1996, Ambel and disc jockey James Marshall opened the East Village bar the Lakeside Lounge, which Ambel booked and co-owned until its closure in April 2012.[6]

In 1999, Ambel and engineer Tim Hatfield established Cowboy Technical Services, a recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that later relocated to Greenpoint.[7][8] The studio has hosted artists including Ryan Adams, Steve Wynn, Marshall Crenshaw, Los Lobos and Laura Cantrell.[8]

Ambel founded Lakeside Lounge Records to release his own music. Its first release was the 2004 compilation Knucklehead, which collected previously unreleased tracks recorded over the preceding decade with collaborators including the Del-Lords, the Bottle Rockets, the Yayhoos and Steve Earle.[9]

Steve Earle and later work

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In 2000, Ambel became lead guitarist in Steve Earle's backing band, the Dukes, recording and touring with Earle through 2005. He appeared on Earle's Jerusalem, the documentary Just an American Boy and the Grammy Award-winning The Revolution Starts... Now.

The Yayhoos released a second album, Put the Hammer Down, on Lakeside Lounge Records in 2006.[5] In 2013, Ambel reunited with the Del-Lords for the album Elvis Club. In 2016, he released Lakeside, his first solo studio album in over a decade, named for the bar he had co-owned. He continues to work as a producer and performer at Cowboy Technical Services in Brooklyn.[8]

Discography

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Selected Production & Session Credits

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[10]

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

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  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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Clark, Rick (December 1, 1999). "Getting Elemental with Eric Ambel". Mix. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Ross, Rob (July 13, 2017). "Tour News: The Yayhoos Announce First Dates in Almost a Decade". Popdose. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ Schweber, Nate (April 22, 2012). "Gritty Musical Mainstay in the East Village Fades Out". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ "About". Cowboy Technical Services. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Mathis, Todd (April 9, 2025). "Studio Spotlight: Cowboy Technical Services Recording Rig, Eric Ambel". Twangville. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Bio: history | ericambel.com". ericambel.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Eric Ambel | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
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