We were lucky to catch up with Annie Humphrey recently and have shared our conversation below.
Annie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
In the early 90’s I had two small children. We were on welfare. We got $395..00 a month and food stamps. I took good care of my babies. Then talks of welfare reform became a popular issue and women were going to be sanctioned for not looking aggressively enough form employment. I had to do something. I asked a local coffee house if I could sing some songs. They said I could sing for 2 hours and they would let me keep tips and pay me $40.00. I accepted. I became a regular there and played some other coffee houses. I had my little ones with me always. Then I got a gig at the university in town and they paid me $150.00! I was elated. During the following months I got little engagements here and there. One day I prayed to Creator and promised that if I could earn more than $395.00 in a month playing music, I would close my case at social services. Not long after, I got asked to perform at a theater for $400.00. I closed my welfare case. I didn’t make $400.00 the following month, but I hustled and next thing I know a record label calls asking me to travel to their studio to record a couple songs. The rest is history.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I grew up on an Indian Reservation in Northern MInnesota. My father played guitar and my mother was a poet. I play piano by ear and write from my own observations. I served in the United States Marine Corp from 1990-1994. I always loved singing. I had dreams of fame. I am now 56 years old and have no ambitions like that anymore. I still write and perform and make a livng. I am also a carpenter and am able eto supplement my income with that work. I am a tattoo artist. I am a certified yoga instructor. I love doing alot of different things. I can’t imagine holding down a regular job. I serve people by repairing/building homes, singing about social and environmental justice and also about love. I draw people’s stories in their skin. I don’t solve peoples problems, I encourage them to question and be coherant.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I had a friend named John Trudell. He was so intelligent. He encouraged people to be coherant and remember where we come from and that we have spirit. He has talks on you tube. John Trudell. Look him up.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
There is a kind of freedom I have as an artist. I do what I want, express what I want, I am free to plan my own days and be inspired.
Contact Info:
- Website: anniehumphreymusic.com
- Facebook: anniehumphreymusic
- Youtube: Annie Humphrey
Image Credits
Image credit: Neh-dah-ness Rose Greene