If you've been wondering, "Where are all the good lion-wrestling, Bhuddist-monk, ex-Rodeo Champion, Americana singer-songwriters?" you should probably ask Bill Bloomer.
The singer, guitarist and songwriter is keeping the troubadour tradition alive, performing on two or three continents a year. He may be opening for Ellis Paul in the U.S. one month, and busking in France weeks later.
So what does he sound like? Adept finger-picking, melodies that stick to your ribs, lyrics that can evoke a laugh or a tear (sometimes in the same song) and a voice like bourbon; strong, bracing and with a sweet tinge of honey.
Bloomer was born and raised in Galesburg, Illinois. Wyatt Earp and Carl Sandburg also hail from Galesburg, and Bloomer has brought the cowboy and the poet together in one package. As a youth, he met Hunter S. Thompson while wrestling a nine-month-old lion at a "Wild West Show." This evolved into a rodeo career, where he was nominated for rookie-of-the-year in bareback bronc riding by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Unlike today's auto-tuned, synthesized "country" artists, Bloomer's cowboy hat isn't a prop or affectation, it's literally part of the narrative.
A serious injury ended his rodeo career. Encouraged by family friend Steve Goodman, the cowboy picked up a guitar at age 30 and began his musical journey (the late-blooming guitarist now has an endorsement deal with K&K Pickups).
His travels brought him to Portland, where Bloomer was active in the Portland Songwriters Association, winning three awards in two years in the PSA's International songwriting competition.
From the U.S., the singer resided for a while in Thailand, where he played his music, detoxed from painkillers at a Buddhist temple and was ordained as a "forest monk." Next was a stint in France, with regular trips to the U.S., where he has opened for the likes of Rambling Jack Elliott and Butch Hancock.
...And here's what they've said about Bloomer:
"I never heard anyone sing like that"
(Rambling Jack Elliott)
"Bill Bloomer; the last of the hipsters"
(Eric Anderson)
"So many great songs. For years I've waited for someone to come along with the mojo"
(Butch Hancock)
"I listened to your cd ...never sell that guitar"
(Greg Brown)
"You were great . ..you have so many good songs" (Victoria Williams)

Fortunately, you don't have to travel to another continent to hear Bill Bloomer's music.
The talented troubador is always on the move. With any luck, he'll be in your town soon. He may be gone the next day, but his songs and voice will stick with you forever.
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