Spencer Bohren Comes to Walton Arts Center Today, Today

Fans of traditional folk, blues, gospel and country music will not want to miss An Evening with Spencer Bohren at Walton Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 26 at 7 pm.

Single tickets start at $15 and can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office, by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org. For downloadable photos, visit the Spencer Bohren Dropbox.

Born into a gospel-singing family in the wind-swept prairies of Wyoming in 1950, Spencer Bohren began singing and playing music at age 14. Inspired by the folk music he heard on the radio, Bohren picked up a guitar and within a few weeks began performing. He immediately delved deeply into America's treasure of blues, country, gospel and folk music, soaking up guitar styles and historical details. In the 1960s and 70s, Spencer played with rock, country and blues bands throughout the western U.S. By the mid-70s, Bohren and his wife, Marilyn, found a home in the city of New Orleans and started their family there.

New Orleans had a profound effect on Bohren, and he quickly became a fixture on the local music scene. Bohren began touring in the southern U.S. and brought his family on the road so they could be together. For seven years they lived on the road, with Bohren performing across the U.S. sharing his love of America's music and singing his original songs. He also began a recording career, which has produced 16 albums.

Bohren developed Down the Dirt Road Blues, an award-winning history of American music, which he has presented to more than 30,000 students of all ages, as well as concert audiences in America and Europe. His educational offerings have grown to include visual art, guitar workshops, and talks on songs of protest and music business, inspiring countless musicians.

Walton Arts Center is Arkansas' largest and busiest performing arts presenter. Each year more than 195,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend more than 400 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, weddings and more. Approximately 45,000 students and teachers participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and almost 200 volunteers donate 21,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, International Artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to pay on average only 45% of the cost of programs offered. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.

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