Singer-Songwriter Spencer Durham writes music for TV, Movies, Commercials, and special projects. He owns his own record label, Auraria Records, and controls his publishing rights. His goal is to meet the needs of music supervisors with pre-cleared compositions to fit projects of all descriptions.

Although only twenty one years old, Spencer Durham has already released three CDs, with a fourth entitled "Smile, Smile, Smile" to be released in November 2009. He also has his fifth album "Grow" ready to go in early 2010.

Music Supervisors should note that Spencer is available to custom write and produce material to fit your project and budget. He has access to a professional studio with Pro-Tools and complete staff of studio musicians. If you are on a deadline or a budget, think of Spencer Durham!

Latest News

Spencer Durham's latest release Smile, Smile, Smile a tribute to Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead is available for download now from this site!

BIO: Spencer Durham

SUMMARY:
"Spencer is a musical chameleon whose colors reflect the classic rock icons who helped shape his original music. Spencer's singing style has a natural leaning towards the blues, with his writing guided by introspection and observation of the world around him.

Spencer is a prolific writer having released five CDs by age 21.

Spencer specializes in writing and producing music for TV and Movies. He owns his own indie label Auraria Records and controls 100% of his publishing rights.


BIOGRAPHY:
Spencer's writing attracts seasoned studio musicians who feel the vibe that made the classic music from the 70's so special. The upcoming fifth release "Grow" (to be released in the fall of 2009) features legends:
-Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers)
-Randall Bramblett (Traffic, Widespread Panic, Sea Level)
-Davis Causey (Sea Level, Randall Bramblett Band, The Jesters)
-Dave LaBruyere (John Mayer, Shawn Mullins)
-Gerry Hansen (Shawn Mullins Band, Randall Bramblett Band)
-Tom Ryan (Widespread Panic, The Jesters)

Davis Causey, Tom Ryan, and Gerry Hansen also played on Spencer's two other 2009 releases:

"Sand Ceremony Songs" co-produced by Durham was written especially for the Unity Sand Ceremony currently popular with wedding ceremonies. This third CD project was released in March 2009 by Auraria Records.

In May 2009 Spencer released "Smile, Smile, Smile". His fourth release, this project a tribute to the music of Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead and how it influenced Spencer's writing. It contains four covers and three originals that will appeal to lovers of The Grateful Dead.

When appearing with his band you can expect a who's who line-up of seasoned pros.

Spencer also works with Athens, Ga based singer-songwriter Connelly Crowe and frequently plays live as Durham-Crowe. The acoustic duo has a sound similar to the Allison Kraus-Robert Plant collaboration.

Spencer's shows are high energy affairs tempered with a healthy dose of blues. His vocals are particularly strong making his earthy lyrics easy to understand. Fans of Chris Robinson, Gregg Allman and Van Morrison love seeing Spencer perform live.

Although his music is a bit of a return to days gone by, Spencer is very much in touch with the music business of today. Part musician, part businessman, but always fearless, hard working, and independent. He is the co-founder of Auraria Entertainment LLC; an artist management company, and the independent record label, Auraria Records. All of Spencer's new projects are being released under the Auraria Records label.

Having just turned twenty-one years old, Spencer has played close to one thousand shows over the past six years."

"Grow" was co-produced by Gerry Hansen and Davis Causey. Much of the material was engineered and mixed by John Keane at John Keane Studios in Athens, Ga. (Engineer/Producer R.E.M. Widespread Panic, Indigo Girls, B-52s). Keane also played a variety of instruments and sang harmony on "Grow". The balance was engineered and mixed by Hansen and Causey. The project was mastered by Glenn Schick in Atlanta."


DISCOGRAPHY:
I WONDER WHY- Cavender Castle Entertainment (2005)
MUCH MORE THAN WORDS- Cavender Castle Entertainment (Released 3-13-07)
SAND CEREMONY SONGS- Auraria Records (Released March 2009)
SMILE, SMILE, SMILE- Auraria Records (Released May 2009)
GROW- Auraria Records (To Be Released September 2009)

The Nooze Magazine Interview

June 2009 article reprinted with permission of www.TheNooze.net

Written by editor Allie Small

The Nooze caught up with Spencer Durham at The Crimson Moon In Dahlonega, and had the pleasure of asking the up and comer a few questions.

TN: It has been said by many that your style is timeless. To what do you attribute these comments?

Spencer: When I was really young I spent a good deal of time raiding my dad's cd collection. Aside from being a great dad, he listened to GREAT music. He turned me on to The Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and other really great artists of the day. My favorite cd
to this day is Shady Grove by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.

TN: Well, having just caught your show tonight at the Moon, I certainly could hear those influences. But, for me, your music has an original sound that is
refreshing for this day and time. Having the knowledge that you will soon be releasing your third cd, I'm wondering if it will be in
the same vein, or is your style still developing?

Spencer: Funny you should ask that because the new project is titled "Grow", and it has much more of a blues'y dark style to it. The project really turned out to be a "passing" from where I was to where I am now. Musically, that is.

TN: On the last cd, Much More Than Words, you had some real heavy
hitters playing on the project with you. Guys like Randall Bramblett, David Causey, Gerry Hansen, David Labruyere and Chuck Leavell. Will these guys be returning on the new project?

Spencer: Yeah, I was really honored to have most of those guys play and contribute on both projects. It was so cool because they are all such talented musicians and nice guys at the same time. They treated me as
an equal in the studio, even though I was still in the learning process. I really appreciated that. Having that much experience backing me in the studio made for the perfect vibe and really made it easy to pull the best out of me. Those guys are consummate professionals and they really
me to fi nd my skin, so to speak.

TN: Sounds like you had a great support system in the studio. What
about your management?

Spencer: Who better than my Dad? I think that it is important for me
to keep it all in the family right now, because no one feels as strongly about what we are doing as we do. My Dad has done a great job up to this point and my entire family is extremely supportive as
well.

TN: Dana Lachance (Owner of The Crimson Moon)raves about you
as well. She tells me she hired you to play your very first gig ever right here at The Crimson Moon.

Spencer: Thats right! I still remember that night. I was only 13 years old and I will always be apreciative to her for letting me
play this stage.

TN: Last question... The Curls. Are they real or is that some type of perm?

Spencer: (Laughs) They are as real as the music! They are one of God's
natural blessings, just like having thopportunity to play music and have so many people enjoy it. I am truly blessed.

REVIEWS: "Much More Than Words"

QUOTES FROM VARIOUS REVEIWERS ON SPENCER DURHAM'S MUCH MORE THAN WORDS CD:

"Spencer Durham is the very definition of an "up-and-coming" artist... Much More Than Words, and its mature, full sound certainly belies Durham's tender age. The album's 12 tracks allow Spencer to display his songwriting prowess, but it is his strong, earthy vocals that really grab the listener. His voice warrants comparisons to Gregg Allman, Chris Robinson and Van Morrison, which puts Spencer in heady company, but he is clearly establishing his own sound." - Hittin' the Note
_________________________________

"Soulful young Durham's Much More Than Words is full of Chris Robinson vocal influence, Allman guitar tones and Georgia funk. Durham also writes his own material, and some songs, such as "Super Like a Nova," are out there in magic territory... material such as "Without a Doubt" and "She Doesn't Know" is immense and, coupled with Durham's admitted advanced accomplishment for his age, should have major labels circling like vultures... there is every reason to think we'll be hearing from Spencer Durham for a long time." - Houston Press
_______________________________

"18 year-old Spencer Durham's songs are wise beyond his years. This musical maturity stems in equal parts from his superior songwriting, competent vocal skills, and tight musical arrangements. Durham's original compositions combine rootsy old-timey textures with contemporary wit... Much More Than Words delivers music guaranteed to appeal to anyone between the age of 15 and 75 who appreciates a well-crafted song."
- Vintage Guitar
_______________________________

"... 18-year-old Spencer Durham has quickly placed himself among some tall, seasoned cotton. Hailing from the Atlanta area, Durham is near the epicenter of Southern Rock and the collection of songs - all but one penned by Durham - latches on to that gritty spirit while adding a slightly contemporary Shawn Mullins'-styled edge. Certainly much of the credit goes to vet Randall Bramblett and his band who were enlisted for the project. But in the end, it's the songs - and Durham's surprisingly mature voice - that make it all work ... he's clearly headed in the right direction and appears positioned for a long career." - Charleston (WV) Daily Mail
_________________________________

"Soulful, rocking Georgia boy draws national attention with his multi-instrumental capabilities and shows the rest of the world that he has a bright future ahead of him with his second release... Durham delivers a wise performance that you would expect from an older player with more flying time. Don't stick a fork in rock yet when there's up and comers like this coming from places you don't expect." - Midwest Record Recap

REVIEW: Hittin' The Note

Hittin' The Note - #52

Much More Than Words
Spencer Durham
Cavender Castle Entertainment
by John Lynskey

Spencer Durham is the very definition of an "up-and-coming" artist. This 18-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist from Atlanta recently released his second CD, Much More Than Words, and its mature, full sound certainly belies Durham's tender age.

The album's 12 tracks allow Spencer to display his songwriting prowess, but it is his strong, earthy vocals that really grab the listener. His voice warrants comparisons to Gregg Allman, Chris Robinson and Van Morrison, which puts Spencer in heady company, but he is clearly establishing his own sound.

One of the strong points of Much More Than Words is the first-rate playing that backs Spencer, courtesy of the Randall Bramblett Band. Randall adds his distinctive keyboard style throughout, while guitarist Davis Causey adds tasteful licks that complement perfectly Spencer's vocals. Among the many highlights to Much More Than Words are the joyous strum-along of "Scared of the Door," the wicked and nasty "Evil Hearted Woman," and "Three O' Clock In the Morning," which soars majestically. "Something Amazing" and "She Doesn't Know" are two solo acoustic numbers that serve as platforms for Spencer's singer/songwriter skills, but it is the road-aching lament "The Traveler" that stands out as the prime cut on this well-structured album.

Randall Bramblett, a true authority on singer/songwriter talents, had this to say about Spencer Durham: "There's an old soul in that young man. Spencer's got a great future ahead of him."

One listen to Much More Than Words will prove just how correct Randall's statement is.

REVIEW: GoodNewMusic.com

Review by Peter Hund
www.GoodNewMusic.com

Spencer Durham
Much More Than Words


Durham, an 18-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist from Georgia, is backed on his sophomore album (he released his first at 15) by some of the best musicians Atlanta and Athens have to offer: the Randall Bramblett Band.

Bramblett, who played saxophone and keyboards on many a Capricorn Records release in the '70s, contributes keyboards and organ on six tracks. Drummer Gerry Hansen produced and plays drums.

Put this slide-guitar-heavy outfit in the same studio with Durham, whose aggressive "rhythm-lead" acoustic technique makes one guitar sound like two or three, and the result is on a par with Cowboy's "Boyer & Talton" or the Freddy Jones Band's "Waiting for the Night."

More than the instrumentation, however, it's his voice and writing - seasoned beyond the average high school senior troubadour's - that move Durham well past "southern-rock wannabe."