Influenced greatly by his father and grandfather, Edgar Loudermilk cut his teeth on bluegrass by learning to play bass to the legendary record, Bluegrass Album Band Volume 1. Surrounded by music at an early age, Loudermilk was only nine when he began playing bass in his family’s band, and continued to play in the band until he was 20 years old. Afterwards, he decided to join a band named Carolina Crossfire, which had quite a following in the Georgia area. It wasn’t long before Loudermilk decided to expand his options and try his hand at playing professionally, a decision that has made him a staple for elite artists in bluegrass music.
In 2001, Loudermilk auditioned for and was hired by Rhonda Vincent. About a year later, he was encouraged to audition for one of the greatest voices in country music who he had heard was making a move to bluegrass–Marty Raybon. In December of that year, Loudermilk became the bass player and tenor singer in the newly formed group Full Circle and would back up Marty Raybon for almost five years.
In 2006, Loudermilk heard that Ray Deaton was leaving IIIrd Tyme Out, and that opened up a whole new prospect for the bass-playing singer. In 2007, Loudermilk became the newest member of IIIrd Tyme Out, replacing Deaton.
In addition to touring and performing, Edgar Loudermilk has had great success as a songwriter, with numerous self-penned songs, many of which have been recorded by others. In 2017 Edgar’s original song, “Can’t Live Live,” was recorded by Rhonda Vincent & Daryle Singletary as part of their American Grandstand album–that album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart, and in July of 2017, it was on Billboard’s Top 10 of Top Currently Country Albums, as well as No.1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Album Chart for the week of July 29, 2017. The album went on to be #1 on Splice Today’s Top 10 Country Albums of 2017.
Edgar Loudermilk’s solo album, Roads Travelled, not only showcases his vocal talents and his solid bass playing, but also his songwriting skills, having written or co-written all 12 tracks on the project. In addition, Loudermilk calls on the talents of his musician friends and bandmates as well. Accompanied by Tim Crouch (fiddle), Randy Kohrs; (dobro), Scott Haas (banjo), and former Full Circle bandmates Ashby Frank (mandolin), and Shane Blackwell (guitar)–the musicianship on the CD is second to none. Guest vocalists include Marty Raybon, (duet on “Roads Travelled”), Cia Cherryholmes (duet on “It Just Might”), Rhonda Vincent (duet on “Can’t Live Life”), Russell Moore, Randy Kohrs, and another former Full Circle band-mate, Glenn Harrell.
In 2019, the Edgar Loudermilk Band, featuring Jeff Autry released the album, “Lonesome Riverboat Blues” on the Rural Rhythm Records label. The title track,“Lonesome Riverboat Blues,” reached #1 status on the Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction “Most Played” status for July, 2019. In addition, the song spent 12 weeks in the Top 20 of the Bluegrass Today Airplay Charts. In late 2019, Jeff Autry took a hiatus from the band due to health reasons, with Georgia native Clint Coker filling the guitar responsibilities.
The Edgar Loudermilk Band tours coast-to-coast and throughout Canada, all while working on a new album for 2024.
