25 Years of Music-Making

Hope you had a happy Thanksgivukkah! Rubina and I stayed in Brooklyn... we're hunkering down and getting ready for the birth of our lil' Bumphreys, due in late December. I have added one solo show to the docket for December 14 – an 8 pm set at my fave neighborhood bar here in DUMBO, 68 Jay St. Bar. Please come if you're in town. Would love to see you.

AL KOOPER

Got to visit with legendary musician, producer and songwriter Al Kooper (pictured right) in November. Some of you know Al is a HOBEX fan from way back... he replied to my last newsletter (people actually read these things, who knew?) and let me know he was in town to play organ on some gigs with Ron Wood and Mick Taylor. We had a great hang. Thanks, Al!

HOLIDAY GIFTING

For a special holiday gift, may I suggest a Greg Humphreys CD bundle for your favorite music fan? Visit my store here to purchase CDs directly from me via PayPal. I will be fulfilling these orders myself, and I'd be glad to sign the disc(s) and write a personal note to your giftee, complete with an original cartoon. Running a D.I.Y. operation all the way ovah heah! Of course, all four solo album releases are also available through iTunes and other digital outlets.

2014: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF MUSIC-MAKING 

Thanks again to everyone who came out to one or more of this year's 50 live performances. 2014 will mark my 25th year as a recording and performing artist – Dillon Fence released our self-titled self-released EP in 1989. 

I've released over 10 albums' worth of songs and performed well over 2000 times these past 25 years; sometimes it's overwhelming to think about it all. I am forever indebted to the many talented musicians and business people with whom I've been lucky enough to work, as I am indebted to you for your support and encouragement. I'm sorry if I ever let you down. 

Special thanks to awesome folks Brad, Val, and Chris at Mongrel Music, who have been booking me over the last ten years, both with HOBEX and as a solo artist. 

It's not likely Bohemia will appear on any end-of-year Best-of-2013 lists, but I know in my heart that I am making some of the best music of my 25-year career right now. I also know that those of you who have bought, listened to, and enjoyed my solo releases will vouch for their quality and integrity. 

Super-excited for you to hear the tracks I've been working on with Matt Brandau here in NYC. We have half an album's worth of songs completed so far – yet another genre adventure. More soon! The next time you hear from me, there will likely be a lil' Bumphreys in the house.

xo,
Greg

 

LATEST ALBUM: BOHEMIA.

 

"...a perennial pleasure, an ever-blooming example of what dedication to one’s art and a fierce resistance to abandoning exposed heart and simple, sincere emotion can produce." – Dennis Cook, Dirty Impound

Available on iTunes. Hard copies available via PayPal and at live shows.

Check out the music video for the song "Across The Ocean, Mama," the third track on BOHEMIA. Buy BOHEMIA on iTunes here. Purchase a hard copy via PayPal here. Have a listen online here or here. 

Bohemia is a 9 song puzzle.  Some tunes are newer; some were written during a couple of summers spent in Prague, CZ and the EU. They fit together just so.

It's about leaving, and arriving.  You could consider it a love letter (or goodbye note) to my home state of North Carolina.  You could also consider this LP a musical warm-up, setting the stage for new adventures in New York City and beyond.

Bohemia features musical turns from very talented guests Matt Brandau, Phil Cook, and Lizzy Ross. There's a song co-written in Nashville, TN (and on Interstate 40) with Lizzy Ross, and a song co-written drunk on a roof in Prague with Montana singer-songwriter Jessica Kilroy. 

It's of a piece with my previous three solo albums Trunk Songs, Realign Your Mind, and People You May Know; mostly acoustic. Mostly recorded at my studio in Durham NC with help from friends.

STREAM THE ALBUM HERE - GO TO THE MUSIC PLAYER AND PRESS 'PLAY ALL'.

BOHEMIA

1. Someday, I’ll Have My Due
2. Sayin’ What You Mean
3. Across The Ocean, Mama
4. While You’re Away
5. Jubble On, Jubbly
6. Shelby, I Told You
7. Hush
8. Sweet La Rue
9. Railroad Bill

NYC and Philly this week!

Back in the city. I'm whupped, but I'm happy! Two more shows this week to round out the Bohemia fall tour.
 

Tonight, Wednesday November 6, I'll be at NYC's Rockwood Music Hall Room #3, doing a special 8 pm duo set with my good buddy (and excellent singer-songwriter / guitar picker) Jon Shain. We'll be doing each others' songs, just like we used to do on Jon and Maria's porch in Durham. Advance tickets are available!
 

On Saturday, November 9, I'm opening for Jim Boggia at Steel City Coffeehouse in Phoenixville PA near Philly. I caught Jim this summer in London, at a show we did together at the 12 Bar along with our mutual friend Mick Terry. I was blown away and I'm sure you will be too if you make it... you can pick up advance tickets here.
 

BOHEMIA FALL TOUR – THANK YOUS 
 

Thanks to everyone who made it out to a show! It warmed my heart to see so many friends and fans over these past couple of weeks. North Carolina is beautiful this time of year. Although not every show was packed, I got to play for some sweet and appreciative crowds big and small. I'm lucky you're on my side.
 

Just wanted to take a moment to thank some amazing musicians I got to play with on this tour. First up, Tania Elizabeth (of the Duhks and The Stacks) killed it at our duo set at BB Kings opening for Donna. Catch her before she blows up... she just performed on Letterman last week with the Avett Brothers.
 

Secondly, I'd like to thank the funk 'n' soul musicians who came together and made last week's HOBEX and Q-BEX shows so happening: Andy Ware, Jeff Sipe, Doug Largent, Dan Davis, Robert Cantrell, Tim Smith, David McCracken, and Cyril Lance. Your musicality inspires me... thanks for lifting me up when we play together. Looking forward to the next time.
 

Thanks to Big Fat Gap's Miles Andrews, Jamie Griggs, and Jon Hill (as well as Josh Moore) for sharing the stage with me last Tuesday at Carrboro NC's Second Wind. You guys have the most fun. Thanks to Jamie for fixing my guitar as well – love my Griggs guitar.
 

Thanks to my talented sister Ann Humphreys for coming out and singing with me at Second Wind and my show at the Garage in Winston-Salem. Here are a couple of youtube vids she posted of us sangin' together... old fave Windows and Jerry Jeff Walker's Charlie Dunn. You just can't beat sibling harmony.
 

Thanks to my Dillon Fence bandmates Scott Carle and Kent Alphin for surprising me in Wilmington NC at the Satellite. I recruited them for an impromptu late-night second set that a few old Fence fans were lucky enough to hear. You guys are the best. Thanks to Jones Smith for adding some mandolin to a few tunes as well.
 

Finally, thanks to the folks that put me up along the way – Marcos and Emily, Devin and Madonna, Brooke and Hilary, Jay, and Jeff! Couldn't do it without your help. 

Until next time,

Greg

   

LATEST ALBUM: BOHEMIA.

"...a perennial pleasure, an ever-blooming example of what dedication to one’s art and a fierce resistance to abandoning exposed heart and simple, sincere emotion can produce." – Dennis Cook, Dirty Impound

Available on iTunes. Hard copies available via PayPal and at live shows.

Check out the music video for the song "Across The Ocean, Mama," the third track on BOHEMIA. Buy BOHEMIA on iTunes here. Purchase a hard copy via PayPal here. Have a listen online here or here. 

 

Bohemia is a 9 song puzzle.  Some tunes are newer; some were written during a couple of summers spent in Prague, CZ and the EU. They fit together just so.

 

It's about leaving, and arriving.  You could consider it a love letter (or goodbye note) to my home state of North Carolina.  You could also consider this LP a musical warm-up, setting the stage for new adventures in New York City and beyond.

 

Bohemia features musical turns from very talented guests Matt Brandau, Phil Cook, and Lizzy Ross. There's a song co-written in Nashville, TN (and on Interstate 40) with Lizzy Ross, and a song co-written drunk on a roof in Prague with Montana singer-songwriter Jessica Kilroy. 

 

It's of a piece with my previous three solo albums Trunk Songs, Realign Your Mind, and People You May Know; mostly acoustic. Mostly recorded at my studio in Durham NC with help from friends.

STREAM THE ALBUM HERE - GO TO THE MUSIC PLAYER AND PRESS 'PLAY ALL'.

 

BOHEMIA

 

1. Someday, I’ll Have My Due

2. Sayin’ What You Mean

3. Across The Ocean, Mama

4. While You’re Away

5. Jubble On, Jubbly

6. Shelby, I Told You

7. Hush

8. Sweet La Rue

9. Railroad Bill

BOHEMIA FALL TOUR 2013

Thanks to all of you who came out to the show last week at The Bowery Electric... so nice to see you there.
 
Doing it again this Friday, October 4 at B.B. King Blues Club here in NYC. Playing a special duo set with the fabulous Tania Elizabeth, of The Stacks and The Duhks! We're opening for our friends Donna the Buffalo � showtime is at 7:30pm and you can get advance tickets here.
 
BOHEMIA FALL TOUR 2013
 
The B.B. King's show Friday is the kick-off for my fall BOHEMIA Tour.

Sharing bills with some absolutely amazing musicians and songwriters this time around, including Tania, Donna the Buffalo, Tom Brosseau & Sean Watkins, Band of Heathens, Jon Shain, and Jim Boggia.

Also excited about a couple of very special shows throwing down with my talented funk'n'soul collaborators in HOBEX (Andy Ware, Doug Largent, Dan Davis, Robert Cantrell, Tim Smith, Cyril Lance) and Q-BEX (Jeff Sipe, Andy Ware, David McCracken, Cyril Lance).

Feels like a long time since I've headed south. Looking forward to seeing my friends and fans while I'm in the area! Come out to a show if you can � it'd be great to see you.

BOHEMIA FALL TOUR 2013

10/04 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club duo with Tania Elizabeth, opening for Donna the Buffalo
10/23 Asheville NC The Grey Eagle with Tom Brosseau & Sean Watkins  RSVP Advance tickets
10/24 Raleigh NC The Pour House Music Hall solo set, HOBEX  RSVP  Advance tickets
10/26 Charlotte NC Visulite Theatre opening for Band of Heathens Advance tickets
10/30 Brevard NC 185 King Street Q-BEX (Jeff Sipe & HOBEX) RSVP
11/01 Winston-Salem NC The Garage
11/02 Wilmington NC satellite bar and lounge Wilmington Unplugged series
11/06 New York NY Rockwood Music Hall Room #3 duo with Jon Shain Advance tickets
11/09 Phoenixville PA Steel City Coffeehouse opening for Jim Boggia Advance tickets

DIRTY IMPOUND LOVES BOHEMIA

More great press for Bohemia � check out Dennis Cook's review here. "...a perennial pleasure, an ever-blooming example of what dedication to one�s art and a fierce resistance to abandoning exposed heart and simple, sincere emotion can produce." Yes, I will take that! Thank you, Dennis and Dirty Impound.

Until next time,
Greg
   
LATEST ALBUM: BOHEMIA. Available on iTunes. Hard copies available via PayPal and at live shows.


Check out the music video for the song "Across The Ocean, Mama," the third track on BOHEMIA. Buy BOHEMIA on iTunes here. Purchase a hard copy via PayPal here. Have a listen online here or here.

Bohemia is a 9 song puzzle.  Some tunes are newer; some were written during a couple of summers spent in Prague, CZ and the EU. They fit together just so.

It's about leaving, and arriving.  You could consider it a love letter (or goodbye note) to my home state of North Carolina.  You could also consider this LP a musical warm-up, setting the stage for new adventures in New York City and beyond.

Bohemia features musical turns from very talented guests Matt Brandau, Phil Cook, and Lizzy Ross. There's a song co-written in Nashville, TN (and on Interstate 40) with Lizzy Ross, and a song co-written drunk on a roof in Prague with Montana singer-songwriter Jessica Kilroy.

It's of a piece with my previous three solo albums Trunk Songs, Realign Your Mind, and People You May Know; mostly acoustic. Mostly recorded at my studio in Durham NC with help from friends.
STREAM THE ALBUM HERE - GO TO THE MUSIC PLAYER AND PRESS 'PLAY ALL'.

BOHEMIA

1. Someday, I�ll Have My Due
2. Sayin� What You Mean
3. Across The Ocean, Mama
4. While You�re Away
5. Jubble On, Jubbly
6. Shelby, I Told You
7. Hush
8. Sweet La Rue
9. Railroad Bill

NYC 9/25, Fall Tour

Thank you for all your kind wishes regarding our impending parenthood. The Bumphreys has been kicking lately. Excited!
 
NYC SHOW 9/25
 
New Yorkers, I'm playing a 7:30 pm solo set at Bowery Electric on Wednesday, September 25. Would love to see you there � you can RSVP (or invite friends) at the FB event page.
 
Other than that, laying low in September... busy recording some more future chart-toppers with Matt Brandau at his Upper West Side studio.
 
SUMMER HOOT RECAP
 
The Summer Hoot was a hoot-and-a-half! Met a lot of very sweet people. Jammed with some absolutely great artists like The Stacks, who were kind enough to sit in with me. Caught some unforgettable sets as well � 94 year-old folk legend Pete Seeger's Sunday afternoon sing-along made us cry.
 
The Dirt Farmer Band closed out the festival on Sunday evening, inviting the other artists on stage and leading us through "The Weight" (Rubi's pic above.) Thanks to my talented friends Mike + Ruthy for including me! Posted some pics of my own at my FB personal page, if you'd like to peruse.
 
BLURT REVIEW OF BOHEMIA
 
Bohemia recently received a great album review from Lee Zimmerman over at Blurt. Choice quote: "Ultimately, Bohemia seems to live up to its title, given its nonchalant attitude and unassuming demeanor. It�s a sensual sound, a momentary retreat to a place in the pines." Thanks for the kind words, Lee, and thanks to Blurt for the coverage.
 
FALL BOHEMIA TOUR
 
Coming south in late October to support Bohemia! First up, on Wednesday October 23, I'll be splitting an acoustic bill at Asheville NC's Grey Eagle with L.A. based duo Tom Brosseau and Sean Watkins (of Nickel Creek fame.) Excited to see these guys! You can get advance tickets here.
 
HOBEX makes our only fall appearance the following night on Thursday, October 24 at The Pour House Music Hall in Raleigh NC. Bassist Andy Ware and I will be joined by drummer Dan Davis, organist Doug Largent, saxophonist Tim Smith, guitarist Cyril Lance, and percussionist Robert Cantrell.
 
Kicking off The Pour House show with an 8 pm solo acoustic set. This is the first time I've played in the Triangle since the LP came out and the first time since I moved to NYC, so let's just call this show a Bohemia album release party for the Triangle. Yeah. RSVP and invite folks here. Buy advance tickets here.

Q-BEX, our loose-and-fun semiannual collaboration between super-drummer Jeff Sipe and HOBEX, convenes on Wednesday, October 30 in Brevard NC at 185 King Street. Special guests and frequent collaborators keyboardist David McCracken of Donna the Buffalo and guitarist Cyril Lance up the ante considerably. You can RSVP and invite folks here.
 
Returning to my hometown, Winston-Salem NC, on Friday November 1 for a solo acoustic set at The Garage! Special guest TBA. Working on gigs in Charlotte NC and Wilmington NC on this run as well... more details soon.
 
Until next time,
Greg



   
LATEST ALBUM: BOHEMIA. Available on iTunes. Hard copies available via PayPal and at live shows.


Check out the music video for the song "Across The Ocean, Mama," the third track on BOHEMIA. Buy BOHEMIA on iTunes here. Purchase a hard copy via PayPal here. Have a listen online here or here.

Bohemia is a 9 song puzzle.  Some tunes are newer; some were written during a couple of summers spent in Prague, CZ and the EU. They fit together just so.

It's about leaving, and arriving.  You could consider it a love letter (or goodbye note) to my home state of North Carolina.  You could also consider this LP a musical warm-up, setting the stage for new adventures in New York City and beyond.

Bohemia features musical turns from very talented guests Matt Brandau, Phil Cook, and Lizzy Ross. There's a song co-written in Nashville, TN (and on Interstate 40) with Lizzy Ross, and a song co-written drunk on a roof in Prague with Montana singer-songwriter Jessica Kilroy.

It's of a piece with my previous three solo albums Trunk Songs, Realign Your Mind, and People You May Know; mostly acoustic. Mostly recorded at my studio in Durham NC with help from friends.
STREAM THE ALBUM HERE - GO TO THE MUSIC PLAYER AND PRESS 'PLAY ALL'.

BOHEMIA

1. Someday, I�ll Have My Due
2. Sayin� What You Mean
3. Across The Ocean, Mama
4. While You�re Away
5. Jubble On, Jubbly
6. Shelby, I Told You
7. Hush
8. Sweet La Rue
9. Railroad Bill