Musician tells stories of the west through songs

by Elysia Conner
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 12:58 PM MDT

“I am a lyricist,” said Kerry Grombacher. “I like songs that tell stories.”

The folk and western musician added that his songs are inspired by his life of traveling and the conversations with those he meets along the way.

Grombacher, a singer, songwriter, mandolin player and guitarist, will perform in Casper on Friday, Oct. 10.

As the son of an Army officer, Grombacher moved around the country during his childhood. He has worked as an archeologist in New Mexico, a historian documenting ranches and farms in Texas, and fought forest fires in eastern Oregon.

The western United States always fascinated him, and he studied its history in college at the University of Texas.

Grombacher said he is also an avid reader and enjoys learning about a wide variety of subjects, which inspire his songs.

Always on the move, the longest he had lived in any one place was four years until he settled in Austin, Texas, 28 years ago.

Ten years ago, he got married and moved to New Orleans.

When he isn’t on the road, Grombacher divides his time between Austin and New Orleans.

He travels to cowboy poetry gatherings, folk music festivals, jam sessions and many solo shows throughout the year.

The musician grew up listening to bluegrass and country music, and played in school bands since he was in the fourth grade. Grombacher began writing music when he was 16.

He developed a passion for western music when he performed with cowboy poet Bud Strom in 1995.

He said it helped him find a more distinct voice for telling stories.

Wherever he goes, Grombacher’s fascination for stories and traditions show up in his music. His song “Cajun Cowboy” on his latest album, “It Sings in the Hi-Line,” tells about a Louisiana cowboy working and cooking Creole food on a ranch in Cheyenne.

According to Grombacher, the Louisiana cow and horse culture goes back to the 1700s, and there are places where they still move cows by swimming them across bayous.

Grombacher said he loves Wyoming, and performs in the state at least once a year. He even wrote a song called “Rock Springs” that always gets a laugh from those who know the town.

“What do I see, what do I know, and what can I imagine,” is what Grombacher teaches those in his creative writing workshops to consider.

While on tour, he holds workshops in schools to teach young people about music, writing and the music business.

Grombacher will teach in Casper schools on Oct. 9-10. The workshops are made possible through a grant from the Meet the Composer's MetLife Creative Connections Program.

Grombacher looks forward to bringing his music to Casper once again. Audiences will be treated to his ballads, known for their vivid portraits and fascinating stories.

If you go…

ARTCORE presents Kerry Grombacher

Friday, Oct. 10 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

Ticket outlets are Ayres Jewelry, Hill Music, The Shade Tree, Simply Shelia and Sonic Rainbow. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $6 for students and school teachers and $4 for children under 12.

For more information, contact ARTCORE at 265-1564 or artcorewy@aol.com.

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