T. Michael Coleman

Thomas Michael Coleman (born January 3, 1951) is an American bass player of bluegrass and folk music. He is best known for work with Doc Watson and the Seldom Scene.

For Chicago blues guitarist, see Michael Coleman (blues musician).
T. Michael Coleman
Coleman performing at Merlefest with Doc Watson in 1994
Background information
Birth nameThomas Michael Coleman
Born (1951-01-03) January 3, 1951[1]
GenresBluegrass music, folk music, country music
Occupation(s)Musician, cinematographer
InstrumentsBass
Years active1970–present
Associated actsDoc Watson, Chesapeake, Seldom Scene
Websitetmichaelcoleman.com

Biography

Doc Watson

Coleman grew up in Mayodan, North Carolina,graduating from Madison-Mayodan High School in 1969 where he was a part of bluegrass and folk groups. After working as a sound technician each time Doc Watson came to nearby Appalachian State University,[2] Coleman played bass with Doc Watson and his son Merle starting in 1974 and continuing until 1986.[3][4][5] Coleman also toured with Doc Watson and David Holt during the final three years of Doc's life.[6]

Seldom Scene

After his time with Watson, Coleman joined the Seldom Scene, replacing Tom Gray. Coleman was with The Seldom Scene from 1986 until 1995.[7] There were initial objections to Coleman's use of an electric bass in the normally acoustic bluegrass lineup, but Coleman's playing fit the group's sound.[8]

Chesapeake

After leaving the Seldom Scene, Coleman joined Chesapeake with Moondi Klein, Mike Auldridge, and Jimmy Gaudreau.[9] They released three albums on the Sugar Hill label. With no banjo, they were more acoustic country than bluegrass. Chesapeake disbanded in 1999 when their contract with Sugar Hill ended.[10]

Sutton, Holt & Coleman

In 2013, Coleman recorded the album Ready for the Times with Bryan Sutton and David Holt. They recorded the album as a tribute to Doc Watson.[11][12] The trio got together in 2011, and have performed frequently under the name Deep River Rising.[3][13]

Pocket

Released in 2016, Pocket was Coleman's first album. Contributors included Alan Bibey, Sam Bush, Kelen Coleman, Jerry Douglas, Buddy Greene, Lamar Hill, David Holt, Rob Ickes, Jens Kruger, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little, Pat McInerney, Stephen Mougin, Herb Pedersen, Allen Shadd, Bryan Sutton, Doc Watson, and Tony Williamson.

Awards

Projects that Coleman was involved with were nominated five times for a Grammy Award: once in 1982, twice in 1998, once in 1982, and once in 1994.[14]

Personal life

Coleman is an award-winning videographer and film maker, known for his work on Children of Armageddon (2008), Broke: The New American Dream (2009), and Inside the Afghanistan War (2012). Coleman's daughter is actress Kelen Coleman.[15]

Discography

Solo albums
  • 2016: Pocket (Chesterbury)

With Sutton, Holt, and Coleman
  • 2013: Ready for the Times (High Windy)[16]

With Doc Watson

With The Seldom Scene

With Chesapeake

With Mike Auldridge and Lou Reid
  • 1989: High Time (Sugar Hill)

As composer
  • 1988: Jack McDuff - The Re-Entry (Muse) - track 2, "One Hundred Years" (co-written with B.J. Wright)
  • 1993: Lou Reid - Carolina Blue (Webco) - track 4, "Oh Lord Have Mercy (On My Soul)" (co-written with Lou Reid)
  • 2010: Lou Reid and Carolina - Sounds Like Heaven To Me (Rural Rhythm) - track 13, "Oh Lord Have Mercy (On My Soul)" (co-written with Lou Reid)
  • 2011: Lonesome Highway - Got Away with Murder (CD Baby) - track 5, "Red Georgia Clay" (co-written with Lou Reid)
  • 2015: Jamie Harper - Old Pal (Mountain Fever) - track 8, "Her Memories Bound to Ride" (co-written with Lou Reid)

As producer
  • 1988: Robin and Linda Williams - All Broken Hearts Are the Same (Sugar Hill)
  • 1989: The Smith Sisters - Roadrunner (Flying Fish)

Also appears on

References
  1. "Dates: Birth & Death". Bluegrass Bios. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  2. Gustavson, Kent (Feb 7, 2011). Blind But Now I See: The Biography of Music Legend Doc Watson (1 ed.). Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  3. "Bryan Sutton, David Holt & T. Michael Coleman". Freight & Salvage. March 15, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  4. Richards, Chris (May 29, 2012). "Doc Watson dies: remembering the legendary guitarist through the Post archives". Washington Post. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  5. Kaufman, Steve (1999). The Legacy of Doc Watson (1 ed.). Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  6. Carruth, Marianne (May 6, 2014). "Bryan Sutton, David Holt and T. Michael Coleman Celebrate N.C. Music Heritage Music at Tryon Fine Arts Center". Tryon Dailly Bulletin. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  7. Stambler, Irwin; Grelun Landon (Jul 14, 2000). Country Music: The Encyclopedia (1 ed.). Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  8. Ledgin, Stephanie P. (2004). Homegrown Music: Discovering Bluegrass (1 ed.). Greenwood Publishing Group. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  9. McArdle, Terence (January 2, 2013). "Mike Auldridge, 73; bluegrass artist revitalized Dobro guitar". Boston Globe. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  10. Erlewine, Michael (1997). All Music Guide to Country (1 ed.). Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  11. "Sutton, Holt & Coleman-Ready for the Times". Bluegrass Unlimited. October 1, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  12. John Lupton (November 26, 2013). "Sutton, Holt & Coleman: Ready For the Times". Sing Out!. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  13. Gevock, Nick (July 11, 2012). "Inspired by Doc Watson, Deep River Rising trio carries on tradition". Montana Standard. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  14. "T. Michael Coleman - Artist". The Recording Academy. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  15. "Kelen Coleman: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  16. Rifkin, Carol (February 6, 2014). "Sutton Holt Coleman celebrate Doc Watson sound". Citizen-Times. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  17. McGee, Marty (Mar 1, 2000). Traditional Musicians of the Central Blue Ridge (1 ed.). Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  18. Al Price (March 19, 1996). "Full Sail, Chesapeake". Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  19. Larry Carlin (December 3, 1997). "Pier Pressure - Chesapeake". Carltone Music. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  20. "Chesapeake: Hook, Live & Sinker". Bluegrass Unlimited. September 1, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
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