Matt Ulmer

Major Works

• End of Romance (1999)
• Born and Razed (1997)
• Broken Arrow (1995)

Biography of Matt Ulmer

By Krystal Jenkins, SHS

Originally from Jackson, guitarist for the Charlie Mars Band, (Jones) Matt Ulmer has been interested in music since around the age of fourteen (Ulmer, Mary).  Born on September 15,1975, to Curt and Dolores Ulmer, Matt was born into a family of musicians.  Matt has a brother Nick and two sisters, Betsy and Mary.

While attending Jackson Prep High School, Matt’s band was called Southgate.  Matt was the lead singer and guitarist of this band.  They were together three to four years and produced a CD together. While in high school, Matt was influenced by blues, and grew up with listening to Led Zeppelin.  After high school, Matt attended Ole Miss for two years before dropping out to join the band (Ulmer).

Matt Ulmer joined the Charlie Mars Band in Atlanta, GA in 1997 when they produced their second album Born and Razed (“About the Charlie Mars Band”). The Charlie Mars Band disbanded circa 2000.

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Interview with Mary Ulmer, Sister of Matt Ulmer (E-mail, 1998)

By Krystal Jenkins (SHS)

Who in the Charlie Mars Band is from Mississippi?

“Um… okay, let’s see… Matt Ulmer and Charlie Mars are from Mississippi.”

Where and when were they born?

“Matt is [from] Jackson.  Charlie is originally from Laurel, but moved to Jackson when he was a senior  in high school.”

What are their parents names? Brothers and sisters?

“He [Matt] has a brother Nick, and two sisters, Betsy and Mary.  Matt’s parents- Curt and Dolores.   Charlie has two brothers, Sam and   Chad.   Charlie’s mom is Sylvia (don’t know dad’s name).”

Where did they attend high school and college?

“Matt and he both attended Jackson Prep. Matt attended Ole Miss for two years and dropped out  before his Junior year to play in the band. Charlie had just graduated from SMU.”

When did they become interested in music?

“Matt has been playing guitar since he was probably 14; our family is very musical and Matt and Nick can almost pick up an instrument and be good at it in a few weeks.  Matt’s band in high school was called Southgate. He was the lead singer and guitar player.  They made a CD  and were together for   3/4 years.  Charlie’s band in high school was Adley Madidafus;  he was lead singer and played  guitar.  They were  interested in music maybe at first because playing guitar was what their friends were doing, and afterward because they fell in love with  music.”

How did they form the band?

“They Charlie Mars Band has been around for a few years; while Charlie and the drummer, Andrew, and the bass player, Andy, were at  SMU together.  Matt is obviously not the original guitar player but left school upon Charlie’s coaxing him into joining.”

How old were they when they started the band and how old are they now?

“Matt is currently 23 and Charlie is 25, maybe?”

What artist (if any) influenced them the most?

“Matt was influenced a lot be the blues, and also grew up on Led Zeppelin and other classic rock.  Southgate (his first band) was very influenced by classic rock and wasn’t as “collegey” as CMB.”

Are they working on a new album at this time?

“They have  currently recorded 2 CDs (the second one with Matt) and are working on new music, all of  which Charlie writes.”

Have they received any kind of recognition such as an award for their music?

“I know record labels have been looking at them, but nothing has come of it at this time.  The band currently resides in Athens, GA, having moved from Atlanta at the beginning of this year.”

Timeline

• 1975–September 15:  Matt Ulmer was born
• 1994- Matt graduated from Jackson Prep
• 1996- Charlie Mars Band moved to Atlanta, Georgia
  – Brought Matt Ulmer into the band
• 1997- Released second album Born and Razed
• 1998- Began working on album to be released in 1999
• 1998 – Band moved to Athens GA
• circa 2000 – The Charlie Mars Band disbanded

Bibliography

• “About the Charlie Mars Band”.  Online.  27 October 1998.  Available http://www.charliemarsband.com/about.html.
• “The Charlie Mars Band”.  Online.  28 October 1998.  Available http://www.tourdates.com/artist/104412.html.
• Jones, Mike. “CMB Questions”. Online. 11 November 1998. Available [email protected].
• Mars, Michael Chadwick. “Re: Project about your brother.”   Email to Krystal Jenkins. 28 January, 1999.
• Ulmer, Mary. “Project about your brother”.  Online. 23 November 1998.  Available [email protected].
• Ulmer, Mary.  E-mail interview by Krystal Jenkins. 19 November 1998.