SMOKEY & THE MIRROR BIO
Smokey & The Mirror is husband+wife duo Bryan and Bernice Hembree. Based out of Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Smokey & The Mirror have toured nationally/internationally over the past decade, including a touring collaboration and album with Denmark’s The Sentimentals. The band has also supported tours/concerts for The Wood Brothers, I’m With Her, Elephant Revival, John Fullbright, and more. They play most often as a duo, but also regularly collaborate with luthier/musician Bayard Blain (3 Penny Acre/Bayard Guitars), and drummer/songwriter Ryan Pickop (Nature & Madness). Whatever the configuration, the interplay of their two unique voices coupled with their provoking and engaging songs form the foundation of Smokey & The Mirror.
The Hembrees also work tirelessly on many musical and creative pursuits. They are committed to others’ music as much as their own. They have found that the most satisfying path to longevity in music is to put others’ art in the spotlight or to inspire others’ to find their voice. They believe that the future of music is not winning the “me first” battle, but rather building community. They are founders and co-creators of the Fayetteville Roots Festival (Arkansas) and have partnered with numerous music and community organizations over the past decade to help foster a vibrant music ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas.
ABOUT THE NAME: Smokey & The Mirror
Like any lyric, there are layers to the meaning beyond the words on a page or words spoken/sung.
Layer 1
In the simplest terms the name suggests the intersection of two elemental components of songs: the human voice (Smokey) and the poet/songwriter’s job, to hold up a lyrical mirror.
Layer 2
Songwriting is word play. Sometimes a small change in the way a phrase is said, or a lyric is sung can change our perspective and elicit a new way of seeing the world. In this sense, the name in part plays homage to one of the greatest bands of the 20th Century, known for writing and recording their own songs, The Miracles. A true supergroup, steeped in Gospel music, made of the sum of all parts. In 1965, they released their first record under a new name elevating Smokey Robinson as their bandleader: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.
Layer 3
Inspired by Don Miguel Ruiz’s parable of the Smokey Mirror. Humans are mirrors. When we look at each other we can see our reflections in each other and we begin to sympathize and understand our commonalities. Over time smoke has filled the air from the fires of fear and anger. The smoke covers and clouds our mirrors and we can no longer see our reflections. In time the smoke fades and we find commonality and community in each other again.
PRESS QUOTES
"Bryan and Bernice Hembree (Smokey & The Mirror) are making some of the best folk music today. The songs remind me of a time when Guy Clark was unknown and Ray Wylie Hubbard was still a folkie. Smart, cool and never pretentious."
- Greg Johnson, The Blue Door
"The thing I love most about this band and the evening with them is not only the powerfully beautiful voice of bass player, Bernice Hembree, or the well-written songs of Bryan Hembree, sung with his rustic, true American voice – it’s the energy they bring on stage and to the audience! You can tell when they are performing; they truly treasure what they do. They feed off each other to the point it’s sometimes hard to tell where the guitar stops and the bass starts!” - Chris Roberts, Red Arm Music
"This past Friday, I was lucky enough to see Elephant Revival with special guests, Smokey & The Mirror. And what a night it was! I’ve seen numerous husband and wife duos in my time, especially in the folk scene. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this duo. Bernice and Bryan Hembree have so much chemistry and musical talent it’s ridiculous. It’s the perfect complement of a female and male vocal. She has the soothing, higher pitched voice and his, is that of a weary traveler. His vocals really nail that Americana, folky, “I’ve been traveling this long road for a while” style voice. Their set was solid and just really, really good!" - Adam Robinson, Honest Music Review
"Duets were the order of the day in the early afternoon at Red Wing Roots Festival, beginning with Bernice and Bryan Hembree playing as Smokey & The Mirror. He writes great songs (St. Alban’s Day, Will and Woody) while she has a powerful and beautiful voice (showcased on a cover of Dylan’s Buckets of Rain). They were the first out of the chute today, and the Hembrees set a high bar."
- David J Brown (More to Come Blog)