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Spencer Bohren

Biography

Spencer Bohren was born on April 5, 1950, in Casper, Wyoming, into a gospel-singing family. Immersed in church harmonies from a young age, he began performing publicly as a teenager after being inspired by folk music on the radio. By the late 1960s, Bohren had left Wyoming for Denver, where he absorbed acoustic folk-blues traditions firsthand from artists such as Rev. Gary Davis, and later honed his craft in Seattle’s blues scene.

In the mid-1970s, Bohren relocated to New Orleans, a city that profoundly shaped his musical identity. He became a fixture in the local scene, performing regularly at legendary venues like Tipitina’s and the Old Absinthe Bar. His career as a touring musician flourished, and from 1983 he spent seven years traveling the U.S. with his family, sharing his blend of blues, folk, gospel, and country. Bohren’s discography spans over 20 solo albums, including collaborations with Dr. John and tributes to his musical heroes Hank Williams and Bob Dylan. He was also known for his evocative lap steel guitar work and his ability to convey deep emotion with subtlety and grace.

Bohren’s legacy is rooted in his mastery of American roots music and his commitment to sharing its traditions. He performed at major festivals across the U.S. and Europe, opened for icons like B.B. King and Muddy Waters, and influenced countless musicians through his performances, recordings, and teaching. He passed away on June 8, 2019, in New Orleans, leaving behind a rich musical heritage and a devoted family.

Fun Facts

  • Spencer Bohren opened for blues legends B.B. King and Muddy Waters, including a notable show at La Cigale Theatre in Paris.
  • He sang a gospel tune with bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley on the radio show 'A Prairie Home Companion.'
  • Bohren spent seven years touring the U.S. with his family in an Airstream RV, performing in countless venues.
  • He had a Top 40 hit in Sweden in 1989 and developed a strong following in Germany and Italy.

Associated Acts

  • Spencer Bohren & The Whippersnappers - eponymous

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Rev. Gary Davis - Learned acoustic folk-blues firsthand at the Denver Folklore Center (Live performances, repertoire influence) [Late 1960s]
  • Hank Williams - Stylistic influence; subject of tribute album (The Blues According to Hank Williams) [Throughout career]
  • Bob Dylan - Major songwriting and stylistic influence (Recorded covers of Dylan's songs) [Throughout career]

Key Collaborators

  • Dr. John - Played piano, organ, and vocals on debut album (Born in a Biscayne (1983)) [1983]
  • Ralph Stanley - Sang a gospel tune together on public radio (A Prairie Home Companion performance) [Date unspecified]
  • Dale Bohren - Brother and bassist; toured Europe together (Live performances, The Tremors) [Various, notably during European tours]
  • Cory McDaniel - Longtime friend and bandmate; toured Italy together (Live performances, The Tremors) [Various]
  • Aaron Neville - Shared New Orleans stages (Live performances) [Various]
  • Earl King - Shared New Orleans stages (Live performances) [Various]

Artists Influenced

  • Andre Bohren - Son; inspired musically and performed together (Live performances, family collaborations) [2000s–2010s]
  • The Tremors - Helped launch European tours for the group (including brother Dale and Cory McDaniel) (Live performances in Europe) [1980s–1990s]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Makin' It Home to You 2017-10-23 Album
Southern Cross 2004-01-01 Album
Carry the Word 2000-01-01 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Thief in the Night (Makin' It Home to You)
  2. People Get Ready (Southern Cross)
  3. Lost Forever in Your Kiss (Makin' It Home to You)
  4. Blues Stay Away From Me (Southern Cross)
  5. Travelin' (Makin' It Home to You)
  6. Makin' It Home to You (Makin' It Home to You)
  7. The River's Risin' (Makin' It Home to You)
  8. Goin' Down the Bayou (Southern Cross)
  9. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (Southern Cross)
  10. I'll Be Around (Southern Cross)

Tags: #blues, #singer-songwriter

References

  1. spencerbohren.com
  2. wmky.org
  3. cowboystatedaily.com

Heard on WWOZ

Spencer Bohren has been played 12 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Dec 7, 202515:54In the Absence of the Sacredfrom Makin` It Home to YouHomespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River
Dec 4, 202514:54In the Absence of the SacredBluesw/ DJ Giant
Dec 1, 202521:49In the Absence of the Sacredfrom Makin` It Home to YouBlues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr.
Nov 28, 202512:40workin' on a buildingNew Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk
Nov 27, 202521:22Lost Highwayfrom Southern CrossR&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Nov 23, 202517:24In the Absence of the Sacredfrom Makin` It Home to YouSitting Inw/ Elizabeth Meneray
Nov 10, 202522:59I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRYKitchen Sinkw/ Derrick Freeman
Oct 29, 202511:36Ghost TrainNew Orleans Music Showw/ Missy Bowen
Oct 26, 202515:41In the Absence of the Sacredfrom Makin` It Home to YouHomespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River
Sep 28, 202515:52In the Absence of the Sacredfrom Makin` It Home to YouHomespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River

View all 12 plays