Illustrious Sideman Egan Goes Solo

- The Calgary Sun, 09-21-2002

Source: BY MIKE BELL, CALGARY SUN

Bob Egan's resume is tough to beat.

The guitarist has, during his illustrious career, appeared on some of the finest roots rock recordings of the past decade.

He was a member of Chicago-area acts Freakwater and Wilco, and has lent his talents to Neko Case's Furnace Room Lullaby, and Radiogram's All the Way Home, to name a few.

And, oh yeah, he's now a full-time member of Blue Rodeo.

"Aren't I fortunate?" he says humbly.

Fortunate and good. Egan, who now makes his home in Canada, was recognized by the Canadian Country Music Association at this year's awards where he was
named dobro player in the All Star Band. "I'll be honest with you, in my assessment, I'm an average player -- just a notch above average on a good day," he says simply. "But my thing is, I know when not to play. That's my
whole thing ... And I realize in the music business it's not all about skill. It's about luck ... and the people you get along with."

But although Egan enjoys his role as quiet sideman, he's also equally adept in the spotlight.

He just released his second solo album The Promise, which he's currently touring in support of along with fellow Rodeo member Glenn Milchem, who also
recently released his own record.

"I've been doing solo for about five years now -- ever since I left Wilco," says Egan. "But where I really got my chops was for the last two years I've been doing house parties set up with Blue Rodeo fans through the website.
I'll spend an evening with a guitar and a microphone and a little amp in front of 50 or 60 strangers in a living room, and I've got to make things work in an hour and a half."