Ickes, Rob

ROB ICKES

• From Millbrae, California. Lives in Nashville.
• Ickes is pronounced the same as “likes.”
• First band: “Heartland” with Tony Furtado; also had a band in college called “Colusa” with Todd Phillips (named after a California gold-mining town).
• Went to UC Davis and studied to become a veterinarian. Has a BA in biology.
• Has toured with Weary Hearts, the Lynn Morris Band, Alison Krauss, others.
• 1994, joined Blue Highway and has remained with this band throughout his career.
• 1997, appeared in Steven Seagal movie “The Fire Down Below.”
• 1997, released first solo project Hard Times (Rounder Records).
• 2002, released What It Is album (Rounder Records).
• 2004, released Big Time album (Rounder Records).
• 2005, formed a jazz trio with Andy Leftwich and Dave Pomeroy called Three Ring Circle.
• 2009, released Slide City album (Rounder).
• 2009, released Road Song album (ResoRevolution).
• 2013, won his 15th IBMA Award for Dobro™ Player of the Year. He also won in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
• 2013, formed a duo with singer/guitarist Trey Hensley.
• 2014, released an album with Dobro™ masters Jerry Douglas and Mike Auldridge (now deceased) called Three Bells (Rounder).
• 2015, released Before the Sun Goes Down album with Trey Hensley (Compass Records). It was nominated for a Grammy Award (2016) in the Bluegrass category.
• 2015, he announced his departure from Blue Highway (after 20 years).
• 2016, released The Country Blues album with Trey Hensley (Compass Records).
• 2019, released World Full of Blues album with Trey Hensley (Compass Records).
• 2021, recorded an EP with guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Trey Hensley.
• 2023, released Living in a Song album with Trey Hensley (Compass Records).