Spencer Bohren

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Spencer Bohren hails from Wyoming yet maintains strong ties to New Orleans, the Crescent City where he resided for years and where he remains a frequent draw at local clubs. Raised in a strict Baptist household, he first sang harmonies during church services, and his deep interest in gospel eventually drew him into an equally serious exploration of the blues. He departed Wyoming in 1968 to join the folk scene centered around Denver. There, at the Denver Folklore Center and in various coffeehouses, he absorbed acoustic folk-blues directly from figures such as the Rev. Gary Davis. He next relocated to Seattle, performing with several blues bands while sharpening his songwriting skills. In 1973 he returned to Colorado to collaborate with folk-blues singer Judy Roderick. A lengthy conversation with Dr. John one evening prompted him to settle in New Orleans, Dr. John’s own birthplace. Bohren remained in the city for a decade, appearing regularly at venues including Tipitina’s and the Absinthe Bar. In 1983 he and his family embarked on a seven-year trek across the country in an Airstream RV; during this period he performed throughout the United States and later extended his touring schedule to Europe and Japan. A Top 40 hit in Sweden arrived in 1989. Although his catalog is substantial and he has appeared at major festivals across the U.S. and Europe, a major-label contract stateside has continued to elude him. His recorded output includes Born in Biscayne (1984) on Great Southern Records, Down in Mississippi (1986) on New Blues Records, Live in New Orleans (1989) on Great Southern Records, Snap Your Fingers on the French label Loft Records, and Totta & Hot ‘n’ Tots with the Swedish ensemble of the same name. Additional releases comprise Spencer Bohren (1991) on Alpha Records of Japan, Full Moon (1992) on Virgin Records of France, and Present Tense (1995) on Loft Records in France. Later domestic releases feature Vintage (1994) on New Blues of New Orleans and Dirt Roads (1996) on his own Zephyr label based in Caspar, Wyoming. He returned to Caspar in 1990 and has maintained his home there ever since. Bohren continues to tour Europe three or four times annually. As of 1996, Present Tense appeared on Sony in Europe and on his Zephyr label in the United States. Carry the Word followed in mid-2000.