Bobby Niemi

Bobby Niemi

The energy that Bobby Niemi puts into one of his shows is very likely unmatched by other performers of today. Whether it’s playing a county fair, a private backyard bonfire, or one of his many four-hour-plus solo bar gigs, Bobby works hard to give his audience an experience they won’t soon forget. In a typical four-hour booking, Niemi takes only one fifteen-minute break the entire night. During this time, he performs songs of old, ballads and anthems of today, comedy--all providing something for everyone’s musical tastes.

An admitted rookie songwriter, Niemi writes songs about actual events in his life and tries to stay away from writing about hypothetical situations. Songs like, “Shirley”, “G.O.D. (Good Ol’ Dad)” and “Gone Too Long To Stay” are great examples of the realness of Bobby’s work.

Born and raised in the iron-mining town of Ishpeming, Michigan, Niemi grew up listening to WJPD, “The Country Giant” with his parents, where his early memories are of Ronnie Milsap, George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys and Eddie Rabbitt. Besides being 1st chair trombone from 1984 to 1991, Bobby began piano lessons in the third grade and continued through seventh grade when he began realizing the efficiency of playing by ear, using radio and tapes to learn new songs. Working all through middle school and high school to pay for keyboards and cars, Bobby was a muffler shop custodian, paperboy and sandwich shop employee.

As country music began making its huge comeback in the 1990’s, Niemi was attending Central Michigan University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree (1997) and Master of Arts degree (2004) in secondary education. During this time, Bobby joined the Saginaw-based band, Southern Influence, where he played keyboards and sang for seven years. Some Southern Influence highlights include opening for Blackhawk and John Berry in Bay City and performing before John Conlee in Saginaw.

Bobby quit the band and began performing solo in February of 2000, due to the pressures of finishing his Master’s work on the weekends. Since then, local clubs and taverns have regularly hired him which has enabled him to mature as a singer and performer. Before opening for Robbie Fulks in May of 2007, the Midland County Fair had booked him as a solo act for the
diverse fair-going crowd to enjoy.

Greatly inspired by Sammy Kershaw, Alan Jackson, George Strait and, of course, “The Opossum,” Bobby realizes the challenge and importance of being yourself in this business. “The diversity of artists that have influenced me is obvious in my performances. I am proud, though, that I no longer feel like I am copying or trying to sound like someone else. Over the years I think I’ve become a pretty solid, cool-sounding composite of all my favorites,” Niemi said with that wide-eyed smile.

Whether he’s testing an original on you or playing a favorite cover tune, be ready to enjoy the captivating, heartfelt, boot-stomping, barstool-swiveling style of Bobby Niemi.