Up The Ridge was written while living at my grandparents' house out in the country north of Nashville once Gran had passed away and after Granddaddy Mack had moved into assisted living with dementia. I moved out there to write and to maintain the house and property, which had been in their possession since my mom was a child. The record has a lot to do with my family and love and living with old memories and ghosts at their house up the ridge. I was chasing those memories and the emotions of losing two of my biggest supporters and mentors in life while simultaneously chasing a sound. And the sound was the pursuit of a cinematic sunset at the end of a country highway.

Recorded over the course of two weeks - one in March and one in April of 2014 - at the Glass Onion in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Produced by Austin Manuel, Markus Midkiff, JD Tiner

Engineered by JD Tiner

Mixed by Konrad Snyder

Mastered by Joe LaPorta at Sterling Sound

Photos and logo design by Juan y Samuel Solarzano at Brothers Design Co. 

All songs written by Austin Manuel, except for track two, "I Could See Me Needing Her," which was written by Austin Manuel and Wade Holmes.

Acoustic guitar: Austin Manuel

Electric guitars: Steven Holmes

Synthesizers and keys: Markus Midkiff and Austin Manuel

Bass: Michael McCully

Drums: JD Tiner

Background vocals: Erin Rae McKaskle, La'akea Presley, Heidi Feek, Markus Midkiff, Robert Gay, Reece Presson, Austin Manuel

Horns: Robert Gay

Additional percussion: Robert Gay

Pedal steel: "Smokin'" Brett Resnick

Special thanks to: Gran and Granddaddy for the memories and foundation; mom and dad for endless love and support; Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Mike for trusting me with our family's sanctuary; Uncle Randy and Aunt Lisa for leaving your piano at the house; Wade Holmes, Justin Clark, Will Farley for affirmation and guidance; Sarah Marie Shepherd for our trip across California; Kaela Kreysa for a multitude of graces.