Veteran Blues Shouter and Songwriter, Spencer Thomas has performed and recorded for over 25 years with many of the best of Austin's professional musician community. Since 2007 though, Spencer has settled in with a fairly steady line-up of legendary Austin players. Partnering with V-8 Records Producer, Michael Holt, on guitar, they are supported by Ultimate Austin Drummer, Rodney Craig (The Cobras, Angela Strehli, Lavelle White), World Class Roots Bassist, Larry Lange (The Cobras, Delbert McClinton, Doug Sahm), and Texas Tenor Saxman, Jim Trimmier (The Cobras w/ Stevie Ray, The Vanguards, Nick Curran).
Spencer's 2007 Release, Voodoo Dream is available on disc or download from CDBaby.com Produced by John Inmon, eleven original Spencer Thomas songs featuring Inmon and George Rarey on guitar, Sarah Brown on Bass, Rodney Craig on Drums, Nick Connolly on keyboard, Jim Trimmier on sax, and Tonico Vanalli on percussion, and of course, Spencer Thomas on vocals.
Influences
Johnny Guitar Watson, Freddie King, Hank Ballard, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Paul Ray, Bobby Bland.
Sounds Like
A soulful juke-joint groove with a smooth blend of polish and sweat.
A Blues Singer and Songwriter in a guitar player's town, Spencer Thomas drags his Texas Blues Band deep into soul and swamp pop territory. Like his Austin predecessor, Paul Ray & The Cobras, Thomas embraces the varied influences which have led to a distinctively Texas rhythm and soul sound. For over two decades, Thomas has stood apart from guitar-centric blues bands, recalling great vocalists like Big Joe Turner, Bobby Bland, and Otis Redding.
He was named "Best White Soul Shouter" in Third Coast Music Magazine following a 2007 showcase during SXSW.
That year, his first solo album, “Voodoo Dream", was named to The Texas Top Ten in The Austin Chronicle's 2007 Critic's Picks. Long time music guru of The Chronicle, Margaret Moser wrote that Thomas "does his stuff with the kind of Texas panache that should be getting raves from peers and press."
A past president of The Austin Blues Society, Spencer is still involved with the group, recently winning their 2009 Heart O' Texas Blues challenge, and earning the privelege to represent the ABS in the 26th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2010. More info on that organization can be found at www.austinbluessociety.org and www.blues.org/ibc
Spencer's first band, The Solid Senders established his lasting reputation in Austin. A favorite local bar band in the 80's, The Senders developed a cult following in Europe after Keith Ferguson (of The Fabulous Thunderbirds fame) joined their ranks.
With The Big Pow Wow, Thomas hosted a weekly blues jam and introduced a generation of new musicians to the Austin scene. It was this band that allowed Spencer to broaden his repertoire to include the likes of Dyke & The Blazers, Charles Brown, and Rufus Thomas.
He later teamed up with Pat Boyack, singing several tracks on the Bullseye Blues/ Rounder release, "Super Blues & Funky". The album allowed the pair to play top blues venues across the country in 1997 and 1998.
For more about Spencer's life and career, go to the blog here titled:
Here's My Story
Hey Y'all, don't forget to put on your calendar that Spencer Thomas is playing at the CONTINENTAL CLUB on NOVEMBER 8TH, for a benefit, on behalf of MICHAEL HOLT.
Hey Brother real kewl sessions..i think you got a good disc out of it...Me and Mike worked well together...im lookin forward to hearing it...peace and thanks for the chance to work with you and Mike...that piano player Mark was cookin...lol
Hey Spencer, I hope you enjoed the show last night :) Oh man I need the Tequila song too hehe. I hope I'm top on that list for your new CD :) Tommie Brewster and I are touring Texas this fall/soon?? Austin is on our list so hope to see you there!
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
Hey Spencer! Glad to be back on your page -- I think I shook lose of the crazies that were constantly hounding me on myspace -- so I'm good to go now. Can't wait to see you next month -- will the lovely Miss Jules be coming also?
Online Now!
