Local bass player nominated for Grammy

The 2017 Grammy nominations were recently announced and among the artists nominated for Best Album of The Year is the band Sturgill Simpson.

While the group isn’t well known, and maybe sounds like something you would find in a Dolly Parton movie, it’s a great achievement for the country community.

The band focuses on playing country and rock music and the bass player, Mr. Chuck Bartels, happens to be from Lapeer.

Bartels joined the band last March after “getting his wife’s blessing,” and he said it’s been a “busy year.”

Bartels, who now lives in Ypsilanti, studied jazz at Wayne State University. For the last few years he has performed with different bands on Conan O’Brien’s show “Conan,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and “Late Show with David Letterman.”

IMAGE / Autumn Prescott
Mr. Chuck Bartels, from Lapeer, became a bass player in the band Sturgill Simpson last March. The band was nominated for a Grammy this month.

Ms. Angie Prescott, Bartels’ step-sister said she was “very proud” upon hearing of his accomplishments.

“It’s impressive that he came from such a small town and has achieved such amazing things,” Prescott said. “It’s really cool when I hear that a relative will be on a night show that a lot of people watch.”

Growing up, his parents owned a local movie store, Video Hut. So not only did he grow up playing music, he was also a boy who would sit and watch movies endlessly.

To this day, family members say there isn’t possibly a movie from the 1980s he wouldn’t know.

Those closest to him and members of the music community are impressed by the nomination.  He’s been receiving many congratulations.

Bartels said he’s excited for the nomination.

“My phone was buzzing off the hook with texts this past Tuesday, (Dec. 6),” Bartels said.

Bartels has always had an interest in music. In high school, he played trombone and tuba, although since then he’s only played bass.

IMAGE / Atlantic Records
Mr. Sturgill Simpson and his band have been nominated for a Grammy.

Sophomore Brennan Ulman finds the nomination inspiring.

“It shows that talent can come from everywhere, not just big cities like New York or L.A.” Ulman said. “It’s very encouraging, and it proves that there are impressive people in little towns like Lapeer and Flint.”

Besides Bartels, there are seven members in Sturgill Simpson other than Bartels. The band is led by its namesake, Sturgill Simpson, and also includes Laur Joamets, Bobby Emmett, Miles Miller, Scott Frock, Brad Walker, and Jon Ramm.

They play varying instruments from the electric guitar to the saxophone.