Timothy Andrew Bluhm[1] (born July 22, 1970) is an American songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is the primary singer and guitarist for rock band The Mother Hips.[2][3] He is part of the duos the Skinny Singers with Jackie Greene and Ball-Point Birds with Greg Loiacono, and has been a member of The Rhythm Devils, Brokedown in Bakersfield, and Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers. He has also performed and released solo material.
History
Bluhm grew up in Southern California and later attended California State University, Chico. He met the other three original members of the Mother Hips, Greg Loiacono, Isaac Parsons and Mike Wofchuck, in Bradley Hall. Bluhm and Loiacono formed a trio with Ali Weiss called Ali and the Cats that performed during 1990. At the start of 1991, the Mother Hips were formed and quickly became Chico's most popular band. They started touring and releasing albums. Bluhm moved away from Chico in 1996.
The Mother Hips took a hiatus in 2003 to 2004. During that time Bluhm played shows backed by the band Five Foot Tuesday. Together they were known as the Tim Bluhm Involvement.
In 2005, with San Diego–based singer-songwriter Steve Poltz, Bluhm founded The High Sierra Singer/Songwriter Workshop. The four-day backcountry experience offers attendees the opportunity to write songs and work with Poltz and Bluhm. In 2009, Bluhm's band the Mother Hips started the annual The Hipnic, a two-day music festival in Big Sur, California.
In 2006, Bluhm, Bay Area musician Jackie Greene, and engineer Dave Simon-Baker opened Mission Bells Studio where Bluhm has produced albums for The Mother Hips, Jackie Greene, Hot Buttered Rum, Dave Brogan, and Little Wings. The studio has hosted Phil Lesh, Los Lobos, Rogue Wave, Jonathan Richman, Josh Ritter, and ALO.
In 2007, Bluhm married Nicki Chambly and cooperated and performed with her and later her rock band Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers. They separated in 2015. Shortly after Bluhm was severely injured in a speed flying accident.[4]
In 2017, after several surgeries and several battles with infections, Bluhm signed with Joe Poletto, founder of Blue Rose Music from his hospital bed.[5][6]