A January baby, born in Buffalo, NY on his father's bowling night, Greg Klyma
is the son of a garbage man. Greg grew up in a blue collar town with a blue
collar work ethic and an appreciation of blue collar fun. In August 1998, Klyma
took that ethic out on the road, honing his songwriting, storytelling, musicianship,
and presentation at venues and festivals across the US.
A solid decade of traveling, performing and chewing on life are reflected in Rust Belt Vagabond’s central theme of truth. Greg explores the Tale of Two Brothers, post-Katrina New Orleans, the history of Buffalo, NY and personal truth - his own shortcomings, the way we depend on each other and the healing power of love.
Recorded in studios from Austin, TX and Durham, NC to home studios scattered about the northeast US, Rust Belt Vagabond features two songs co-written with friend Jonathan Byrd, a fresh new version of "Erie Canal," and performances by, among others, Byrd, Tom Bianchi, Sick and Anthony da Costa.
Greg Klyma is the Rust Belt Vagabond - a folk troubadour with a rock 'n' roll
heart, a home-cooked meal and a Vaudeville show in a fast-food, karaoke world.
Simply put, Greg Klyma is an entertainer… and he's got songs. Lots of them.
Besides his own prolific catalog of songs, ranging from historical ballads to
outrageously funny bar songs, Greg can play hundreds of classic radio hits and
album tracks. He is likewise known to improvise songs at the drop of a hat,
keeping his shows forever in the moment.
2008 Lizard Lounge Main Event, winner
2007 Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge, winner
2007 60th Annual Ozark Folk Festival song contest, finalist
2006, 2007Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, performer
2007 Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival (SMAF), performer
2005 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk, finalist
2005 Artvoice People Choice Awards, Best Folk/Acoustic act (Buffalo, NY)
2005 South Florida Folk Festival Song Contest, finalist
2005 Kerrville Wine and Music Festival, performer
2003 - 2007 Festival for the Eno, performer
Instruments: guitar, mandolin, voice, harmonica
Discography: New Clothes (2000), In the Meantime (2001), Not a Complicated Guy (2003), Driver (2006), Rust Belt Vagabond (2008)
Greg Klyma has opened for Todd Snider, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Fred Eaglesmith,
& Jimmy LaFave among others,
in venues including Club Passim, Beachland Ballroom, Eddie's Attic, The Ark
and the Cactus Cafe.
