Initially a product of his local 'youth club and church hall', scene with groups RICK & THE BAD BOYS, THE SECT, and PAPER GRAPE Kim finally moved into what he perceived to be 'the real music world' with the EMI signed HOT COTTAGE before playing in backing groups for TED MULRY , JOHNNY FARNHAM , RAY BURGESS, DUTCH TILDERS and JEFF ST JOHN .   During this time also came STUMBLE, KIM HUMPHREYS BAND and GREAT DANE, all attempts to create something original, all meeting with what Kim describes a “varying degrees of failure“.   

Always fascinated by the early 60’s instrumental sound (particularly those of Australian bands such as The Atlantics , Denvermen , Aztecs , Midnighters and Telstars) Kim first came to the attention of the global instro community in the 80’s with his tribute album to Oz surf music, BRAVE NEW WAVE . Recorded as a side project during his tenure with Jeff St John’s band, Kim recalls,  "At that point in time, this was the most satisfying and rewarding musical experience of my guitar playing career, which till then till had been a frustrating blur of group hopping, as I constantly sought something that was never there".

Until the late 80’s, the primary focus was his day gig, as a multi award winning animation filmmaker. This all changed after the BRAVE NEW WAVE sessions, the catalyst finally being the witnessing of an Emmanuel Brothers Duo performance. He decided then and there then and there that his weekend guitar-playing sideline was going to become a full time instrumental pursuit.

In 1989 Kim formed the club and pub 'covers' duo, NOW HEAR THIS with a variety of vocalists, eventually forming a productive partnership with CRAIG WALSH, who appears on the duo's two albums.  Working 4/5 gigs a week, NOW HEAR THIS provided Kim's first ever regular guitar-playing income and afforded him the time to begin recording instrumental albums in his home studio.

It would take till 2004 for the totally instro live performance concept to finally become a reality, which at this point is financially supported by guitar teaching, freelance gigs and session work.

Kim has a reputation for being totally dedicated to his craft and is involved in many diverse areas, promoting and maintaining the legacy of 'vintage' instrumental guitar music. As a performer and organiser, Kim is part of Melbourne’s biggest retro guitar event SHADOZ, Canberra’s DAY OF THE BIG GUITAR and the force behind Sydney’s RETURN OF THE SURF GUITAR. He is also a regular contributor to publications and fanzines covering this genre.   In June 2006 he was presented with the prestigious Victorian based "Stewie Award" for services to the instro cause. Kim is also one of the very few Australian independent guitar instrumental recording artists to have his work played on mainstream radio, managing to weave his fretboard capabilities into original, commercially appealing music. 

"One of the finest exponents of the vintage guitar instrumental style in the world to day"
20th CENTURY GUITAR MAGAZINE - (USA 2005)

"I have now heard what all the fuss is about"
DAVIE ALLEN (pioneering icon of American instrumental guitar)

"Fresh, original, creative & imaginative"
NEW GANDY DANCER MAGAZINE (U.K.-2006)

"Three times Tamworth Instrumental finalist since 2001"

"The future of rock instrumental guitar is in the hands of a precious few. Kim Humphreys is one of them."
Davy Pecket (U.K Music Journalist. - 2006)

"Kim Humphreys has the widest range of techniques we have ever heard from an Australian guitar instrumentalist, Tommy Emmanuel included!"
NEW GANDY DANCER MAGAZINE (U.K.-2006)

"The feeling this Aussie fretboard whiz manages to inject into his playing is amazing. Must be fabulous to witness live."
PIPELINE MAGAZINE (UK -2006)