Homegrown Music Fest is returning to the fairgrounds with a talented lineup of performers, including the “good-time party and dance band,” the Nomads Band. Their repertoire features music from various genres, including old soul, R&B, beach, funk and rock. They will perform on the Waterfall Stage, presented by Curtis Media, on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Don’t miss this Nomads Band performance, as they are celebrating their 60th anniversary of performing at the N.C. State Fair. Their first appearance was at the State Fair Geodesic Pavilion in 1964 for “The Very Best in Musical Sounds,” presented by Macalsha. The Nomads Band, a group of 16-year-olds at the time, played 45-minute sets from noon to 5 p.m. and continued to play at the fair for another four or five years. It only cost 50 cents to see the show!
The Nomads Band currently consists of six members: guitarist David Hackney, drummer Herb Shelly, bassist Mike Damren, lead singer Herman Civils and keyboardist and trumpet player Matthew Koch (also known as “The Wizard” for his ability to play keyboard with his left hand and trumpet with his right).
Saxophone player Robert Humphreys is the only founding member still playing in the band, meaning he was present for the Nomads’ N.C. State Fair debut! He has remained in Chapel Hill all his life, despite opportunities to go elsewhere, and wouldn’t change his North Carolina roots for anything because of all they have contributed to his life and musical passions.
In the sixth grade, Robert received his first alto saxophone and joined the school band. Unfortunately, the school board decided they didn’t have enough funding to keep the band program going, and Robert was left without a group musical outlet. Luckily, there were a couple of talented brothers who lived across the street — guitarist Bobby Scott and drummer Bill Scott.
Many of Robert’s fond childhood memories include sitting around the yard swing with the Scotts and other neighborhood friends, playing guitar, singing and enjoying the summer weather. In eighth grade, Bobby suggested they put together a band, and the Nomads Band was born. They’ve impressively been sharing their fun-loving artistry with fans since 1962 and have no plans to stop.
The Nomads’ first gig was for Chapel Hill’s former mayor, Roland “Sandy” McClamroch, and his daughter, Jenny. Being a group of 14-year-olds, it was the first time any of Robert’s friends outside the band had heard live music. The Nomads knew 10 songs and played for three hours. By the end of the night, they received high praise and a $20 tip from the mayor.
“When that happened, we thought we’d died and gone to heaven,” said Robert. “But then the mayor said, ‘Robert, what I never told you was if you had quit two hours earlier, I would’ve given you $50!’”
They continued gigging for school dances, their friends’ birthdays and fraternity parties on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus.
“None of us were old enough to perform at fraternity parties, but we still did it,” said Robert.
The Nomads Band eventually caught their big break with Charlie Brown, the hit WKIX DJ they all listened to as teens. Bobby Scott wrote a theme song for Brown’s show and the Nomads recorded it at Jimmy Capps Studios in Raleigh, their only studio recording session.
This connection led to performances for KIX Record Hops at Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium (now the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts). Marianne Curtis, the organizer of those dances, provided the Nomads with gig opportunities like events at the YWCA and the N.C. State Fair.
“We got the offer to play at the fair and we said, ‘There’s no way in the world Mother May Marshbanks, our principal, will let us out of school in time to get over to the fairgrounds and play this gig,’” said Robert. “We met with her in her office and pitched the idea. She goes, ‘What a wonderful opportunity! I’d love for you guys to do this.’ We were sure we would have to pretend to be sick that day.”
Playing at the N.C. State Fair introduced the Nomads to a whole new crowd of people, and their fan base grew. In the ’70s and early ’80s, they were playing one or two gigs every weekend — country clubs, bar mitzvahs, weddings, store openings and even parking lots. Currently, the Nomads average one gig a month with a loyal local following.
“During all that traveling, we discovered where all the good hot dog stands and barbecue places were,” said Robert.
One memory that particularly stands out to Robert is when the Nomads played a New Year’s Eve party at the Greensboro Country Club.
“Everyone was dressed to the nines in tuxedos and gowns,” said Robert. “We came out to do our rock and roll set, and here were these people sitting on the floor in their nicest clothing just to watch us perform.”
Additionally, back in the Nomads’ early days, they were classmates with famous singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor. The Nomads would compete in Battle of the Bands against The Corsayers — James Taylor’s first band (started by his brother Alex) — now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“I can’t even imagine the thousands of people whose lives we made a little bit better in three or four-hour performances, and that’s what has kept us going,” said Robert. “We want to make people happy and provide an outlet where they can forget their troubles and have a good time. It’s just about entertainment— we may not be the greatest band in the world, but we’re very good entertainers!”
Having been with the Nomads for so long, Robert has a deep emotional connection with both the craft and the wonderful band members he’s been able to call friends along the way.
“The band is the only thing that’s been constant in my life,” he said. “I’ve had loved ones pass away, my children have grown up, and at one point, I even lost a business of mine. However, the band has always been here. I don’t know if I can ever quit because it’s one of those things that gets in your blood.”
Robert is not only looking forward to performing at the 2024 N.C. State Fair, but he’s excited to revisit his favorite attractions. He and his wife, Carol, enjoy checking out the Village of Yesteryear, the Flower & Garden Show and the winners of the art, canning and baking competitions. They make sure to grab a free hush puppy at the Grist Mill and an apple cider from the booth at Heritage Circle, staying to listen to whatever musical artist is playing there.
“It’s not a trip to the State Fair if I don’t go get my official weight at the Standards Division booth,” said Robert. “I collected the weight cards they gave me for the longest time.”
During those few years when Robert was at the fair with the Nomads, they would live on Italian sausages with onions and peppers and laugh at the barkers at the sideshows.
“Our go-to now is the Pittsboro Kiwanis Club ham biscuit booth,” said Robert. “We always have to stop to get one or two of those. We’re so ecstatic to be coming back to the N.C. State Fair!”
Make sure to follow @NOMADSBAND on Facebook to keep up with their gigs and be a part of N.C. State Fair history by attending their 60th anniversary performance.
Bob Scott, was a Rho Chapter Sigma Pi Fraternity brother at NC State and very good friend until he passed, way too early in life. We had the Nomads play at many of our fraternity parties between 1969 and 1971, when Bob graduated and left school. I believe all, or most, we’re the original band member at that time. I certainly remember Robert Humphries and Bill Scott. We called Bob, “Slack” as he didn’t fill out a pair of pants very much in the rear end. He married Pat Paschal, who was at Meredith College, and who became one of our fraternity sweethearts. Many. at Rho Chapter still keep in touch with Pat, whom Slack nicknamed Peetie! Seeing these pictures of the Nomads bring back wonderful memories of my college years at NC State!