Spencer Bohren facts for kids
Spencer Ward Bohren (born April 5, 1950 – died June 8, 2019) was a talented American musician. He was also a singer, songwriter, teacher, and artist. Spencer played many instruments, like guitar, lap steel guitar, banjo, and drums. He used old American music styles, called "roots music," to create his own songs. His music included blues, country, gospel, and folk styles. He released many albums during his career.
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Spencer Bohren's Life Story
Spencer was born in Casper, Wyoming. His family had roots from Scotland, Ireland, and a part of France called Alsace-Lorraine. He grew up in Wyoming and lived in other places like Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. In 1976, he started a family with his wife, Marilyn, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Performing Around the World
Spencer Bohren performed all over the United States. He also traveled to many other countries. These included Canada, England, France, Germany, and Japan. He was a guest on the famous radio show A Prairie Home Companion. He also played at the big New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Spencer even taught music at the Fur Peace Ranch. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he hosted a weekly music session. This was at the Tipitina's music club in New Orleans.
Music Collaborations
Most of the time, Spencer performed by himself. But he also played in several bands. Some of these bands were the Funston Brothers and Butterfat. He worked with other famous musicians too. These included folk blues singer Judy Roderick and the legendary Dr. John. He also performed with the Blind Boys of Alabama.
Sharing Music History
Spencer created a special show called Down the Dirt Road Blues. In this show, he taught people about American roots music. He traced the journey of one song, "Dirt Road Blues." He showed how it changed from Africa to the days of slavery in the American South. He used old instruments to show how the song evolved. It changed from a simple tune to a blues song, then a dance number. It even became a country hit and a rock 'n' roll song.
Awards and Recognition
His CD Carry the Word was named "Best CD of the Year 2000." This award was given by The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans. He also won the "Big Easy Award for Best Folk Artist" many times. This award came from New Orleans' Gambit Weekly.
Artist and Family Life
Spencer was also a visual artist. He made unique artworks called "Reliquaries." He enjoyed sharing his art ideas with students. Spencer and his wife Marilyn lived in New Orleans. They taught their four children at home. Their house was damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Spencer wrote a song called "Long Black Line" about this experience. In 2012, he appeared in the TV show "Treme" on HBO. Spencer Bohren passed away on June 8, 2019.
Spencer Bohren's Albums
Spencer Bohren released many albums during his career. Here are some of them:
- 1984 - Born in a Biscayne
- 1986 – Down in Mississippi
- 1989 – Live in New Orleans
- 1991 - Full Moon
- 1994 – Vintage
- 1997 – Dirt Roads
- 2000 – Carry the Word
- 2002 – Solitaire
- 2004 – Southern Cross
- 2005 – Down the Dirt Road Blues
- 2006 – The Long Black Line
- 2008 – Live at the Tube Temple
- 2010 – The Blues according to Hank Williams
- 2011 – Blackwater Music
- 2013 - Tempered Steel
- 2015 - Seven Birds
- 2018 - Makin' it Home To You (with The Whippersnappers)
