Biography

With his 2020 release “Just Above The Waterline,” Mark Bumgarner masterfully summarizes a nearly 20-year span of his life. Threading together an expansive tapestry of experiences, the third solo venture by the Western North Carolina mainstay stands out as his most dynamic work to date. Equal parts inquisitive and wise, the new release proves that even veteran artists still bear the same curiosity as their newly blooming counterparts. 

Debuting on former MerleFest artistic director Steve Johnson’s SJ21 Records & Tapes label, “Just Above The Waterline” also marks the consummation of Johnson and Bumgarner’s longtime musical partnership. Having championed Bumgarner's work since his days with former outfit Jubal Foster, Johnson offered the songwriter an opportunity to host the then-budding MerleFest band competition in 2013. Nearly a decade later, the pair are once again teaming up to bring Bumgarner’s latest batch of tracks out into the world, and showcasing Johnson’s dexterity when it comes to the many hats he wears in the music industry.

Though the album is stuffed with deeply personal musings on life, the material is wholly relatable. In true “songwriter’s songwriter” fashion, Bumgarner has managed to tap into universal sentiments and create a mirror in which listeners can see themselves in his work. At its core, “Just Above the Waterline” is the story of an artist that never quite feels finished, and proves that the term “work in progress” is a badge one should wear proudly - especially when it leads to musical triumphs like this.

“Just Above The Waterline” will be available for purchase on all streaming platforms Tuesday, June 2, 2020.