ACUH is an alloy of country, blues, bluegrass, and rock sounds. Dynamic and changing, just like the seasons we get here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Everyone involved loves spending what free time they have exploring the endless pines and waters of the places we choose to call "home." Fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, biking and most importantly, making the music that takes us down our favorite two-tracks and moving waters. If it takes place underneath our dramatic Michigan Sky, we are all about it!

BAND MEMBERS

Adam Carpenter - lead singer, songwriter, guitar, mandolin 

Adam spent the last 20 years as a founding member of the hard driving, bluegrass band, Chasin’ Steel. Carpenter penned many of their fan favorited songs and has always been a songwriter first and foremost.  Changing waters prompted an opportunity for Carpenter to pivot one foot into a new project while continuing to perform a handful of shows each year with Chasin’ Steel.

ACUH was spawned in 2019 out of a compelling need to arrange, perform and record a backlog of new material Carpenter had been continually composing.  Adam fronts the band while holding down the cedar swamp style rhythm on the guitar and (occasionally) mandolin.

Trevor Rosten - percussionist, vocals and music director

Trevor is a drummer/percussionist born and bred in Negaunee, MI.  He began drumming at a very young age and has taken every opportunity to work on craft. Trevor won various awards, competitions, and scholarships during his time in high school which led to studying percussion at Penn State University and the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. 

Trevor has played a wide variety of gigs as a freelance musician including the Nittany Valley Symphony, Marquette Symphony Orchestra, Keystone Society of Swing - Big Band, Zeropoint Big Band, and several freelance Cuban jazz gigs in south Florida.

Trevor joined Adam Carpenter & the Upper Hand at the beginning of 2021 and has been performing and recording with the band since.

Alex Polkinghorne - bass, vocals

Alex is a sublime musicians combination of vocalist and bassist.  He enjoys the creative process of forging bass parts and harmonies on Carpenter’s originals from scratch.  This “no blueprint” opportunity attracted Polkinghorne to The Upper Hand and Alex has become a true cornerstone to the rhythm section. Alex is also the Choral Director of 

Jake Kuhlman - banjo, guitar, mandolin 

Also an original member of Chasin’ Steel, Jake and Adam have been performing and recording together for over 20 years.  Kuhlman is a string wizard of the Upper Hand.  Instrumentally accomplished on the banjo, mandolin and guitar, Kuhlman is known for his driving sonic textures on Carpenter’s tunes.   

Bill Arnold - dobro, lap steel, baritone guitar

Bill and Adam forged a long standing friendship on the banks of various trout streams and have co-written and performed many original songs. Bill is an honorary member of both Chasin’ Steel and Upper Hand.