biography
The Travelin' Hoem band originals are a mixture of classic 70’s Rock and Americana Folk with influence of bluegrass and country.
travelin' hoem band
Travelin’ Hoem Band arose from bandmember changes of the group’s long tenure performing as a rockin’ R&B cover band known as Another Perfect Circus, two-time finalist in the Colorado Blues Society competition for the trip to play at the IBC in Memphis which required all original songs. Their music has been winning over audiences across Colorado and southern Wyoming for many years.
Writing for IBC competitions presented a spotlight for Gary Scott Hoem to demonstrate his secretive songsmith talents. The originals are a mixture of classic 70’s Rock and Americana Folk with eclectic influence of bluegrass and country. All of which involves complex musical composition that entice and challenge the experienced musician. Gary’s writing prowess goes beyond being limited to just one genre. It is more about the story he tells.
It really became a matter of taking all of the weekend morning music sessions playing on the living room couch out to the world. For many years, Gary, his wife, Niki, and their two musical sons would spend endless hours playing as a family band. It is amazing how many songs Gary has written from just noodling on his acoustic. He is a natural troubadour with songs pouring out every week. Each song takes the listener on a journey through a variety of genre styles.
THB has fun playing music to bring smiles and toe tappin’ or dancin’ to all those listening ! Together and individually, each bandmember has graced well-known venues such as Mishawaka Amphitheater, Buffalo Rose, Dicken’s Opera House, Boulder Outlook, Bike Week in Sturgis and many other NOCO venues; as well as sharing the stage with other national acts such as Lukas Nelson, Brian Leneschmidt & Edge of Soul, and Molly Hatchet.
In 2019, THB started recording their first album of 11 tunes. Working thru COVID, 'All of the Miles’ was successfully released in fall of 2022. The band is excited to elevate its promotion in 2023. Travelin’ Hoem Band are already slated to record their next album in early 2024.
Gary Scott Hoem
Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Singer
Gary Scott Hoem was born in the tiny village of Shefford England, to an English mother and an American Air Force father from Wisconsin. For most of his early childhood, they moved frequently from base to base between England and the U.S. By the time he was in 5th grade they had moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming which as it turns out was their last stop. In 5th grade Gary took up the trombone, playing the instrument all through High School & even writing several original pieces for the instrument. Gravitating to bass clef instruments would be a theme for his entire lifetime. In 1980 while still in High School his good friend and musician Dan Hesson convinced him to start playing the bass guitar. Gary played for several local bands in Casper and Cheyenne during the early 1980s. In 1984 he started playing in a heavy rock band that would eventually become Raging Mane. They recorded an original album called “Action by Force” which was available in Colorado and Wyoming. By 1988 Gary was married to his wife Nicole and had moved to Fort Collins. For almost the next 20 years the bass stayed in the closet as he and Nicole focused on raising a family. He also used these years to start playing acoustic guitar, songwriting and performing the occasional love song for a wedding or 2.
In 2007, Gary decided he wanted to start performing on the bass again. When the opportunity to join the Cheyenne-based blues band: Another Fine Mess came up, it quickly became a perfect match. Joining forces with Brian Leneschmidt (Band leader/guitarist/vocalist) became the spark to bring Gary (& later Nicole) back into the local music scene. Mid-2010 brought the opportunity to join Brian’s Power Trio: Edge of Soul. Playing bass in a true and talented power trio had always been a goal of Gary’s, so he quickly accepted the job. The year and a half of playing in Edge of Soul is still a high point in Gary’s bass-playing career.
2012 brought the end of Edge of Soul as Brian moved to FLA. As for Another Perfect Circus (formerly Another Fine Mess), Bob Pollock replaced him on lead guitar & Nicole Noel Hoem replaced him on lead vocals. After Mark Jones’ departure in 2014, Nicole took up the keyboard duties as well.
Travelin’ Hoem Band was formed in 2016 after the departure of APC’s drummer. Gary’s songwriting abilities had risen to a point where creating a band around his songs was a real prospect. Thankfully Bob Pollock agreed to stay on for the transition. In 2022, THB released the album “All of the Miles”.
Currently, Gary is enjoying the opportunity to advance the Travelin’ Hoem Band and his original music. When not playing with the band, Gary enjoys writing & playing music with his wife (plays out as a duo) and/or their 2 adult boys.
Nicole (Niki) Hoem
Piano, Electric Piano, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Nicole, affectionately known as Niki, is a Rocky Mountain native - born in Cheyenne, WY and raised in Denver, CO. She grew up surrounded by a family of talented musicians and vocalists always playing and singing together. She received classical training at a very young age, followed by years of piano and vocal lessons. She is grateful to her Mom and credits her for the love and appreciation of all music, especially the iconic legends of jazz and R&B.
​​
Her musical highlights include singing the national anthem for Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo, Eagles Hockey, CSU basketball and volleyball, Larimer County rodeo; to sharing the stage with well-known regional bands – Black and White Blues Band, Another Fine Mess, Moe Diggin’, Triton, and Another Perfect Circus, (APC), with Brian Leneschmidt. APC toured the tri-state area for fundraiser events, motorcycle rallies, including Sturgis, and Colorado Blues Society at the Dickens Opera House and Buffalo Rose. APC also opened for Lukas Nelson and The Promise of the Real at Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Bellevue, CO. ​​It is easy to see how music is imbedded deeply in Niki’s soul. Her joy is to surprise and captivate the audience with broad and powerful vocal range from rocking the blues to teary ballads. She delights in sharing her gift with others!
drew anderson
Drums / Percussion
Drew joined the Travelin’ Hoem Band project in early 2018 & quickly became an integral part of the sound. His knowledge of various hand percussion was integral to the early sound of the band. Whether behind a drum kit or slapping a Cajon, his mastery of the instrument always shines through.
Drew Anderson started playing drums at the age of 12 & his love of percussion, sent him on a lifelong journey. Along the way he has spent many years studying the music & rhythms of traditional West African music. Drew fills his passion playing whenever he can in several northern Colorado projects.
Drew grew up in Flagstaff, AZ. He has enjoyed living and raising his 5 children in Colorado for over 20 years. He loves hanging with his family, hiking, camping, & playing music with friends.
bob pollock
guitar
Growing up in a family with two older brothers who played guitar, and a third who played the radio created the environment, and a handed down guitar at age ten began the lifelong journey. Hearing Heartbreaker from Led Zeppelin II was the moment it became a done deal. The tremendous local live music scene surrounding The University of Illinois in the late sixties and early seventies was truly the inspiration to pursue the guitar with passion.
Beginning with lessons from Bill Fiorio, then various bands through Jr High and High School, and after graduation, a job as a 'roadie' working for artists from the infamous Blytham Ltd. Agency, the multitude of influences began to form, and inform Bob the guitarist. The biggest influences were Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, and George Harrison from England, and The Allman Brothers Band, B.B. King, ZZ Top, and especially local guitarists Gary Richrath and Keith 'Slink' Rand.
Taking the 80s off from live music to raise children, Bob resumed live music in the early nineties with an R&B band in Houston, Texas, then moved to the Front Range region, eventually settling in Cheyenne, Wyoming. First joined Spontaneous Combustion in the late nineties, followed by forming the short-lived, but well-received Step On It. That band led to the formation of Nasty Habits in 2000, which worked tirelessly throughout the region for the next five years, developing a large following, and highlighted by shows during Bike Week in Sturgis, and opening for Molly Hatchet. The next three years were spent with Michael DeGreve and Nightfire, and then a couple of years in longtime regional favorites Black, White, Rhythm & Blues. In 2010 Bob formed, and still appears with the classic rock band Moe Diggin. Later in 2011, Bob replaced his good friend Brian Leneschmidt in the regional blues powerhouse Another Perfect Circus. When APC came to an end in 2016, Bob stayed on for the transition into Travelin’ Hoem Band.