For nearly nine years, John Hampson was one of two singer/songwriters for Nine Days. After hitting it big with "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" and other singles, Hampson left to pursue other projects.

With Nine Days, he played in every state except Wyoming and Hawaii. So, when he comes to Casper on Saturday for Fireworks Festival 2009, it will be the first time the New York kid will step into the Cowboy State.

Before the trip, he sat down to talk with the Casper Star-Tribune.

CST: So … what's up with Nine Days?

Hampson: "We're not working on any new music right now, everybody has their own projects. But we still play 10 to 15 shows a year, festivals and things. Right now, Nine Days is more of a really awesome parttime gig."

Why the split?

"Lots of reasons. It was a natural progress, to a certain extent. I was one of two singer-songwriters of the group. All of the Nine Day's records were down the middle as far as material. It was a very difficult compromise for us, from day one. But when we were successful with it, I put it aside. Ten years and seven records later, I jut felt like I really needed to make a record where I wasn't limited with what I could put on it. I couldn't imagine it would take me this long to put it out, but …"

So, how is this record different than a Nine Days album?

"When you are the writer, you are so close you can't even see it. I've been asking myself that question too. Probably the obvious difference, I pretty much play acoustic guitar. In Nine Days, I almost always played electric guitar. It's a little less rock. It's a little more lush in the sense that there's a lot more orchestration to parts. The sonic space that the music takes up is a little different.

I think it has a little more depth. Lyrically, this is completely my voice. It's literally my actual voice singing, but in the narrative sense, it's my voice, writing every word.

"I don't know if it makes it better, but it definitely makes it different."

What can the Casper crowd expect from the show?

"It's an acoustic performance, but I'm bringing another guitar player with me. We get to stretch it out. As far as songs, we'll play a lot of the new record's. And I'll throw in a handful of Nine Days like "Story of a Girl."

What's next?

"I'm playing a bunch of shows. It's a mixed bag of shows with the whole band and a whole lot of acoustic shows. I have a second record written and will start recording probably in late fall. I'm just really excited to play and play these songs and get out there and front my own thing."