Indyweek Article

Indyweek has run a really nice story about this weekend's show at The Lincoln Theatre and my upcoming move to NYC. Music scribe Chris Parker takes a long look back at my 25 years of music-making here in NC. Thank you, Chris, Grayson, and Indyweek, and thanks to my friends for saying sweet things about me.

Farewell Concert, New Album 'Bohemia'

Excited about these upcoming holiday shows! Playing Dillon Fence, HOBEX, and solo sets on Saturday, December 22 at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC for concert promoter John Fields' Annual Alcoholidaze Bash.

Since I'm moving to NYC in February to be with my sweetheart, this Lincoln Theatre show has been deemed my farewell party. Accordingly, we've lined up a wonderful cast of musician friends to sit in on each of the three sets. 

Recent collaborators Mandolin Orange, Jeanne Jolly, and Jon Shain will join me for tunes on my opening solo set. Former Fencer and current folk troubadour Johnny Irion will join Scott Carle, Chris Goode, Austin TX guitar slinger Phil Hurley and me on the Dillon Fence set. Rumor has it that Daniel Chavis of the Veldt might be in town to join DF for a number or two as well.

Expect some (or all) of these folks to join our HOBEX mob (Andy Ware, Dan Davis, Doug Largent, Cyril Lance, Taz Halloween, Robert Cantrell and myself) for a big all-star jam and sing-along at the end of the HOBEX set. Please come. Bring your family and friends. Help us celebrate the holidays and make this a night to remember.

Buy advance tickets here  – $12 in advance, $14 day-of-show, $20 VIP Balcony. To help promote the show, I'll appearing on WUNC's The State of Things with Frank Stasio at 12 pm on Friday, December 21, and WNCU on Sunday, December 16. Tune in!

 

DILLON FENCE @ THE VISULITE THEATRE FOR MORISEN 10.

Dillon Fence plays a set for MoRisen Records' 10th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, December 21 at Charlotte NC's Visulite Theatre! Indie label MoRisen released our best-of compilation Best + in 2004.

A stack of classic Charlotte Rock'n'Roll bands and fellow MoRisen alumni are also on the bill: The Sammies, Elevator Action, Leisure McCorkle and The Alternative Champs. Charlotteans, don't miss it! Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Purchase advance tickets on the Visulite Theatre box office page. 

 

 

 

 

NEW ALBUM: BOHEMIA

Just uploaded the tracks from my latest album for mastering! Bohemia will be released in early 2013 and features musical turns from very talented guests Matt Brandau, Phil Cook, and Lizzy Ross, as well as a song co-written on I-40 with Lizzy and a song co-written on a roof in Prague with Montana singer-songwriter Jessica Kilroy. 

Bohemia is 9 songs – some new, some written during my last couple of summers spent playing music in Prague, CZ and the EU. It's about leaving, and arriving. You could consider it a love letter or a goodbye note to my home state of North Carolina, where I've lived all of my 45 years. You could also consider it a musical warm-up, setting the stage for new adventures in New York City and beyond.

It's of a piece with my previous solo albums Trunk Songs, Realign Your Mind, and People You May Know; mostly acoustic. Mostly recorded here at my studio in Durham NC, with help from friends. I can't wait for you to hear this album. Check out the cover I've been working on, using some recent artwork.

JANUARY SHOWS

Not moving 'til February, so I'm squeezing in a string of shows around the Carolinas in January. First up: Q-BEX! This loose and fun collaboration between super-drummer Jeff Sipe, HOBEX bassist Andy Ware, Donna the Buffalo keyboardist Dave McCracken and me plays a rare show in Brevard NC on Friday, January 11, at a great new venue, 185 King Street. Buy advance tickets here.

Other shows: Megafaun's Phil Cook hosts an intimate songwriters-in-the-round at The City Tap in Pittsboro, NC on Saturday, January 12. I'll be returning to the Nth Gallery in Boone, NC for a house-concert-style show on Saturday, January 19 – you'll need to RSVP here with host David Brewer if you want to come, as seating is limited. Returning to Isle of Palms, SC for a solo set at The Windjammer on Sunday, January 20. Hope to see you soon.

Until next time,

Greg

Going-Away Concert at Lincoln Theatre, 12/22 – Dillon Fence and HOBEX!

Told you I'd have some big personal news to report in this update... well, I'm moving to NYC in February to be with my sweetheart. It's a bittersweet move for me, as I enjoy living in Durham and I love my community here in the Triangle. She's absolutely worth it, though, and I am excited to experience living in the big city. I'm sure I'll still be returning to my Old North State home a lot to work and play.

That news brings me to this announcement: Promoter John H. Fields has decided to turn his Annual Alcoholidaze Bash on Saturday, December 22 at Raleigh NC's Lincoln Theatre into a going-away party for me. I'll be doing full sets with Dillon Fence and HOBEX, as well as a short opening solo set. Expect some special guests on all three sets! I hope you'll be able to be there and celebrate with us. You can buy advance tickets here. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 day-of-show, $20 VIP Balcony.

Playing another special Dillon Fence holiday set on Friday, December 21 at Charlotte NC's Visulite Theatre, as a part of MoRisen Records' 10th Anniversary Celebration. MoRisen released a Dillon Fence best-of compilation called Best + in 2004. Leisure McCorkle and The Alternative Champs are also on the bill. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. You'll be able to purchase advance tickets on the Visulite Theatre box office page. 

Our good friend, Austin TX-based guitar slinger Phil Hurley, will 'phil' in for longtime DF guitarist Kent Alphin for these Raleigh and Charlotte Dillon Fence holiday appearances, joining drummer Scott Carle, bassist Chris Goode and me. HOBEX will bring a big band for our December 22 set at the Lincoln:  Andy Ware on bass, Dan Davis on drums, Doug Largent on keys, Cyril Lance on guitar, me, and Robert Cantrell on percussion.

NOVEMBER SHOWS

Playing a special house concert in Durham, NC this Saturday, November 10 for my friends Nancy Bierman and Art Champagne. There still a few seats left if you'd like to attend – you'll need to RSVP here. Just added a solo acoustic set at Raleigh NC's Pour House Music Hall on Friday, November 23 as part of a special benefit show for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Hank Sinatra, Michael Rank & Stag, Maldora, John Howie, The Bleeding Hearts, and Richard Bacchus & The Luckiest Girls will also perform; music starts early at 6 pm. More details about this show will be announced soon on the Pour House Calendar; let's help our nor'eastern friends in trouble.

WILLIAM BELL

Still riding high from my songwriting sessions in October with legendary Stax recording artist William Bell... here are a few photos from the sesh over on my personal fb page if you'd like to check 'em out. We completed two songs and wrote the music for a third. He shared some amazing anecdotes about growing up in Memphis and making music for Stax Records. He's a living legend and and a national treasure. Really looking forward to his next album, and hopeful that our songs will make it.

Until next time,

Greg

Grocery on Home in ATL, William Bell

Performing solo at Atlanta, GA's Grocery on Home this Friday, October 26.  This is my first ATL show in a long while – please don't miss it if you live in the area.  You'll need to RSVP via email, by phone 404.234.8050, or on the FB event page, if you want to attend... seating is limited.  Hope to see you there!

While in Atlanta, I'm taking part some songwriting sessions with the legendary Stax recording artist William Bell.  His songs have been covered by Gram Parsons, Albert King, Cream, The Byrds, Taj Mahal, etc. Contemporary R&B artist Jaheim used William's hit "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" as the base for his hit "Put That Woman First".  William has been one of my songwriting heroes for a long time, and I'm really excited about what we've come up with together so far.  Here's a youtube playlist of William Bell's music, if you'd like to have a listen.

NOVEMBER

Not playing much in November; working on wrapping up my fourth solo LP.  I am playing a special house concert in Durham, NC on November 10 for my friends Nancy Bierman and Art Champagne.  Seating is limited, so you'll need to RSVP here if you'd like to attend.

HOLIDAY SHOWS

Playing a special DIllon Fence show at the Visulite Theatre in Charlotte, NC on Friday, December 21, for the Morisen Records anniversary weekend (Morisen released a Dillon Fence greatest-hits compilation in 2004).  More details on this show forthcoming.  Also working on a HOBEX Holiday gig or two... will be posting details on my show schedule as they come together.

Some big personal changes in the works – will have more in the next post.  Can't wait for you to hear this new album I've been working on...

Until next time,

Greg 

Greetings from sunny España!  On vacay with my sweetheart for a spell this month.  Yes, I'm smiling.  Brought my beater guitar with me, too.  Checking in to let you know what's going on with Ol' Humpers this fall.

Almost finished with a fourth solo LP!  Some musical guests playing and/or writing on this one:  singer-songwriter Lizzy Ross, Phil Cook of Megafaun (and his Feat), NYC-based producer/musician (and former Old Ceremony bassist) Matt Brandau, and Montana singer-songwriter Jessica Kilroy.  I'll be posting more tracks soon; very much looking forward to sharing these tunes with you.

END OF SEPTEMBER

Got a couple of end-of-the-month dates coming up.  On Tuesday, September 25, I'll be playing a couple of solo sets at Chapel Hill NC's The Weathervane for a cool new music series put together by my friend Pamela Marcotte Osborne.  This event will be family-friendly and free – should be a great get-together.  Headed to the left coast on Saturday, September 29 for a special House Concert in Tiburon CA.  I've really been enjoying these House Concert performances – consider having me for an event or special occasion this fall or winter.

OCTOBER

October starts out with a bang on Thursday, October 11 at Maria's Taco Xpress in Austin TX, with my longtime friend Phil Hurley.  I first met Phil in my Dillon Fence days through his old group Gigolo Aunts.  Phil joined me at SXSW last spring... he's quite a guitar-slinger.  Now based in Austin, he's been involved with some amazing projects and has really come into his own as a songwriter.  We'll be doing our own sets as well as some duo stuff.  Looking forward to seeing some of my ATX pals!

Playing some solo tunes on Saturday, October 13 in Durham NC at Music For Fences, a special benefit concert to build fences for chained dogs.  Joining me on this bill will be legendary producer/musician Don Dixon and Robert Kirkland, Don's co-hort in North Carolina power-pop forefathers Arrogance.  We'll be having a jam session together at the end of the night; Ed Butler will join us on drums.  Fellow Piedmont performers Lud, Randall Brice Bickford, and Waumiss round out the bill.  Proceeds go toward the ASPCA's ongoing efforts to end the chaining of dogs, which has been a real problem in Durham.

I'll be performing in Atlanta GA on October 26 for a House Concert-style performance at a special listening room called Grocery on Home.  This'll be my first ATL show in a long while, so don't miss it!  Seating is limited, so you'll need to make reservations.  A big reason I'm headed to Atlan-town is to take part in a songwriting session with legendary Stax/Volt artist William Bell, one of my songwriting heroes.  We'll see what we come up with together, mu-hah-hah!  I see chart toppers. 

More soon,

Greg 

Thanks to everyone who checked out the new website design for Greghumphreys.net. Made it back to the States in one piece. What a time! Now recuperating at my home in Durham NC. Would like to thank my hosts Kristine Bernholtz (CZ), Orianne Jan-Humphreys (FR), and Mary Liles (UK) for putting a traveler up and helping to make this trip possible for me.

My run of dates in the UK was stellar. Thanks to Bob Collum, Mick Terry, Martyn Bonanza, and Ben Jordan for sharing their stages with me. Had some especially memorable solo sets in Camden and Leigh-on-Sea. Heard a fantastic singer-songwriter named Danny George Wilson (of Danny and The Champs) at our show in Walthamstow with South Woodford's own Power-pop master Mick Terry.

Had to cancel my weekend in Penzance due to transport troubles and illness, but I hope to make it up next time. Photographic evidence of these UK travels are posted on my personal fb page here. Also posted some snaps from an afternoon at the awe-inspiring British Museum, if you'd like to have a gander.

AUGUST DATES

Our one and only State-side HOBEX date of the Summer is this Thursday, August 9th, for Downtown Raleigh NC's outdoor Summer Concert Series Oak City 7, held at City Plaza on Fayetteville St. Bringing an 8 piece all-star band for our set: Andy Ware, Cyril Lance, Dan Davis, Doug Largent, Tim Smith, Robert Cantrell, Taz Halloween, and myself. Archbishops of Blount Street hit at 5:30pm, with Jack the Radio at 6:45 and HOBEX at 8:15.

I'll be performing at the Shakori Hills Festival site on Saturday, August 18th for the Stars in the Round Benefit Concert. This special In-The-Round songwriters' set will feature Andrew Marlin (of Mandolin Orange), Lynn Blakey (of Tres Chicas), Christy Smith (of The Tender Fruit), Lizzy Ross, Randy Dean Whitt, Crys Matthews, and Alex Hall. Chapel Hill’s The Ayr Mountaineers will follow. Tickets are $10 in advance here or $15 at the gate. Free Camping. Proceeds go toward helping the purchase of the Festival site by the Shakori organization.

Headed to play the Fayetteville Roots Festival in beautiful Fayetteville AR on August 23 - 26! There's a great line-up including David Grisman Folkjazz Trio, John Prine, Darrell Scott, The Steel Wheels, Pokey Lafarge, and Hoots And Hellmouth. This festival features many of the amazing songwriters I've been lucky to meet through Folk Alliance and other folk-centric gatherings, including organizer Bryan Hembree and his group Three Penny Acre. My set is on Saturday evening at the Roots and Branches Stage in Tyson Plaza, 5:10 pm; you can peruse the complete schedule here.

SEPTEMBER

Taking a break from live performance at the beginning of September, but I did just book a couple of shows at the end of the month. Playing a solo set for a new music series at The Weathervane in Chapel-Hill NC on Tuesday, September 25; headed to the West Coast for a San Francisco House Concert on Saturday, September 29th. Working on adding some Bay Area dates around this one - more soon.

Cheers,
Greg