In 1974, Humphries decided he needed a change of scenery and relocated to Northern California where he continued to play music informally. In 1976, he teamed up with dobro player Tut Taylor and the two traveled briefly together. Don's original song "Flat Pickin Dobro Man" was written for Taylor. Following their performance at the National Flatpicking Festival in Winfield, Kansas (which resulted in their inclusion on an album featuring event headliners), Don returned to California and formed "The Done Gone Band". This band featured an all star line up of West Coast musicians that included Ed Neff (fiddle and vocals), Tom Bekeny (mandolin and vocals), Mark Hogan (banjo and vocals), Steve Pottier (bass) and Humphries (guitar, vocals and "front man"). The Done Gone Band stayed together for four years. During this time they were mainstays at the famous San Francisco bluegrass venue Paul's Saloon. Don's writing really progressed when he was with The Done Gone Band and five of his original songs were included on their lone album. Some of the songs written during this time include; "Carolina Bound", "Idaho Sands", "Red", "Answer The Call", "Take Me With You To The Mountains" and "New Angel Band" (a poignant tribute to Carter Stanley). Don has particularly fond memories of The Done Gone Band. "We worked extremely hard during that period and developed a nice, tight sound. That was the hardest, but most enjoyable four years of my life."