Denver – Swallow Hill Music Association is pleased to welcome back New Orleans artist, Spencer Bohren, on Saturday, April 14 for a performance at 8 p.m., as well as his workshop, "Down the Dirt Road Blues," held earlier that same day, from 2 - 4 p.m.

Spencer picked up his first guitar in 1964 and began a life in the early 70s as the quintessential traveling musician, eventually landing in Denver where he frequented the Denver Folklore Center and began a lifelong friendship with folk icon Harry Tuft. Through his travels, he accumulated a number of projects, but eventually entered a year sabbatical due to his disillusionment of the commercial side of the music business. During this time, he rediscovered the freedom as a solo artist as well as a love for the Big Easy when he and his wife landed in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. They built a permanent home together there in 1975 and began a family as well as a new career out of the burgeoning music scene.

Like so many others, Spencer and his family have struggled with the events of Hurricane Katrina and its effect on the Crescent City. Even today, almost 16 months after Katrina hit New Orleans, the recovery process is long and slow. Spencer says that even today, "you can drive for hours and hours and never see a person in a house, (with) 60% of the city still unoccupied." The heartbreak the Bohrens have over the Katrina tragedy is apparent, yet they maintain an optimism and positive attitude about the rebuilding process. "New Orleans needs us," Spencer says. "She's inspired us and we're part of a team."

Spencer anticipates talking about Katrina and its effects during his performance at Swallow Hill. His latest release, The Long Black Line, includes a track by the same name that has become the post-apocalyptic ballad of the disaster. The line referenced is a daily reality by all New Orleanians—like a ring around a tub, it marks the waters of the floods that enveloped the city, and is ever-present, sometimes going up as far as Spencer's shoulders. A set list for the evening won't be required, for Spencer prefers to work in the moment, saying, "You just open your heart and listen to the muse."

His workshop earlier in the day, "Down the Dirt Road Blues," tells the story of how one song moves through our national history and culture. Beginning with the subconscious musings of a Mississippi slave before the Civil War, the song traverses rivers, state borders, color lines and economic classes before landing in the 21st century. Spencer uses a variety of historically appropriate vintage instruments to weave the spirit of music from our shared past with short vignettes of the musicians and styles that contributed to this exceptional national treasure.

For tickets and workshop registration visit www.swallowhillmusic.org or call (303) 777-1003. Discounts are available for Swallow Hill members.

About Swallow Hill Music Association:
Helping people make music since 1979 years, Swallow Hill Music Association is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States as a source for folk, roots and acoustic music. With more than 2,100 members—some of whom are also volunteers—Swallow Hill provides a place to celebrate music that is rarely heard elsewhere in the Rocky Mountain Region. Three concert venues house more than 150 performances a year, featuring some of the world's great artists as well as up-and-coming new talent. The Julie Davis Music School at Swallow Hill provides a valuable and affordable extra-curricular educational resource to the community with more than 50 music instructors involved in more than 240 adult classes and 70 children's classes annually.

# # #