Lowry Hamner
Artist BIO
Artist Bio
A Mississippi native, Lowry Hamner is a singer-songwriter who blends blues, rock, folk, and country into the rich, roots-driven sound of Americana. His music is deeply connected to the heritage of Mississippi, reflecting both its storied past and evolving present.
Hamner’s career has been marked by both promise and recognition. He recorded sessions for the legendary Sam Phillips—who famously launched Elvis Presley’s career—as well as Ray Harris of Hi Records in Memphis. Phillips once told Hamner, “You don’t sing like Elvis, but you’re the best songwriter I’ve heard in ten years.”
Originally from Terry, Mississippi, Hamner spent his childhood moving between Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, and even Europe before his family settled in Gulfport, Mississippi. His musical journey, however, continued to take him far and wide. In Meridian, Mississippi, he immersed himself in the vibrant music scene alongside Chris Ethridge, Steve Forbert, and Paul Davis, ultimately founding his band, The Cryers. After recording demos in Nashville with Kyle Lehning—who would later produce Randy Travis—Hamner was presented with solo opportunities but chose instead to relocate to New York City’s East Village with The Cryers.
In New York, the band played at iconic clubs like CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City, leading to a record deal with Mercury Records, signed by Steve Katz of Blood, Sweat & Tears and The Blues Project. Hamner’s songwriting gained further recognition when Columbia recording artist Willie Nile included one of his songs on Places I Have Never Been, and Rhino Records re-released his track Shake It Up as the title song of a compilation album.
As a solo artist, Hamner recorded Secrets of the Heart, which received notable airplay in the Northeast and Europe. More recently, at the request of Woody Guthrie’s daughter, Nora Guthrie, he composed music for one of Guthrie’s unrecorded lyrics, resulting in Union Air In Union Square for the project My Name Is New York. His latest album, American Dreaming, is now available, and he is in the final stages of writing its follow-up.
Hamner recently signed a co-publishing deal with Songs Publishing in New York City, representing The Cryers’ catalog. Reflecting on his career, he sums it up simply: “It’s always been about the songs.”
My Story
Over the Years
1979
“Shake It Up” was released
1993
Opened for
2015
Opened for
2019
Opened for


Gallery
On the Road


