Wade Bowen



































Wade Bowen
Wade Bowen Videos


Across five independent albums and a decade-plus of touring, Wade Bowen has amassed a string of regional hits and awards, 

and also a fan base who is passionate about music. Indeed, in the fourteen years since Bowen launched his career at Stubb’s Barbecue

 in Lubbock, Texas, he’s risen from collegiate

greenhorn to the top of the Texas music and Red Dirt circuit. His colleagues and friends Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Eli Young Band and

others had made the major-label leap, helping to take a vibrant regional sound to the rest of America. Now Bowen is poised to bring

that Red Dirt and independent spirit to country music at large.

 

Wade’s baritone is dense and concentrated, with traces of whisky and smoke and an

autumnal warmth. Bowen takes command of his songs, cutting over the top of producer Justin Niebank’s sculpted guitar-scapes on his latest release "The Given." The

sound is one hundred percent country, rife with pedal steel and vivid emotion, but it’s also music that could easily find a home with fans

of Bowen’s rock idols – folks like Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne. Take a few passes through this project and you’ll hearing a

singer’s singer and a focused songwriter who’s adding layers to his music all the time.

 

On a live circuit where the overwhelming mandate is to stir up a party, Bowen has aimed to leave folks with

a memory. As a writer, even one from a state with some tall literary traditions, he’s not trying to earn a PhD in poetry; he’s trying to

communicate. “My style,” he says, “is more to try to evoke an emotion. I’m more about trying to leave a mark on people.”

Growing up in Waco, Bowen’s exposure to the music of Texas was limited to whatever made it on FM country radio. George Strait

was king. Guy Clark was a name he’d not have recognized before getting to college. But at school, in Lubbock, he discovered the full

spectrum of Texas artistry, starting with Robert Earl Keen. “He was a big changing point in my life,” says Wade. “I realized by listening

to him that there was way more out there than I ever knew. So I started getting into Guy Clark and other great Texas music. But I was

obsessed with Robert Earl. When we started the band we were sort of a Robert Earl cover band.”

That band was called West 84, and they found that with their large posse of friends who’d always show up for a good time, it was easy

to land gigs. Bowen meanwhile began to channel a lifelong love of writing into songs, and when college ended he made two major

decisions. He took on the role of solo artist, and he moved to Austin. By then, about 2001, fellow Waco native Pat Green had busted

out to national prominence and the Texas music phenomenon was the buzz of Nashville. It was part of Wade Bowen’s inspiration to

charge ahead.

Try Not To Listen is the album Wade regards as his true debut, the project that kicked off a life and living made of 200-plus nights a

year on the road and patient grassroots fan development. Then with Lost Hotel in 2006, things really began to click. The opening track

“God Bless This Town” reached No. 1 on the bellwether Texas Music Chart, and to date, 

 Bowen has had a total of 10 Number 1's and 15 Top 5 Singles on the Texas Music Chart. 

He achieved another landmark in 2010, when he was invited to add his name to the roster of great artists

who’ve made a Live At Billy Bob’s CD/DVD combo at the iconic club in Fort Worth. 

Date Venue City State Note
No Tour Dates Available
08/27/2010 - Local Favorite Bowen Returns With New Hit Single From Live CD - Read More
05/30/2010 - Dreams continue for Wade Bowen - Read More
03/31/2010 - Brazos Nights Concert Series Begins Friday  - Read More
02/01/2010 - Wade Bowen makes history in Texas  - Read More
More News
No Blogs Available
02/01/2006 - Wade Bowen Q&A - Read More
More News
Average Rating : 4.4              Total Reviews: 395


Wade Bowen  02/17/2018            
FIFTH.HORSEMAN
TRUE TEXAS GREATNESS Well, you can count on a magnificently designed album cover to encapsulate even more musical greatness! Calexico meets Texas Full On times Wade Bowen Squared. And then some. Pushed further on inside his journey of artistic evolution, my all-time favourite singer-songwriter did it. Does it. Forever will. Yet again. Catch the authentic true-to-life flavour of If We Ever Make It Home's 2008 immortal greatness in one of my favourite new tracks, 'Broken Glass'. Pure middle of the night sincereness that catches an essence of heart-ache overcome by true passion. Or everyday life, for those who are willing to take the time to live in this very moment. Taking the plunge into the river of life that guides you towards Acuña and catapults you down memory lane as gazing into the eyes of a long lost love that never died. True Texan Soul for the free-spirited. Just follow the flow, folks. Celebrate life after death into life revisited, reborn in song & dance, dedicated to Guy Clark, who's immortal songs were recorded by the likes of Harris, Cash & Nelson. Yep. “Death, Dyin’ and Deviled Eggs, "That'll be 12.98 please, ma'am..." "Or better still, make that 7.30 while we're at it... all drinks on me!" Bask in Calexican rays of mellowness ('Day Of The Dead'), written in the sand by the album producer at hand, Keith Garris. "Prrrrrrrrrrr... hahah..."; indeed. Each track created and nurtured within the confines of the studio, immediately followed by the master recording sessions themselves. There's so much more to this book of musical notes than just a pretty cover. If you like true country-music without false pretences, just pick up this album, and shuffle through the layers with each repeated listen. You won't be disappointed... Needless to say you also should take a peek into past works 'Wade Bowen(2014)' which leads up nicely to another source of sheer songwriting beauty to be discovered inside such evergreen album that is 'If We Ever Make It Home' (2008). Three solid albums that stand the test of time... A time of continuous evolution that is the golden songcraft of this superb true music artist. "Oh, just like that... everything is blessed..." What can I say? Just hop in... enjoy. Full tracklist for 'Solid Ground': 01. “Couldn’t Make You Love Me” (Wade Bowen, Keith Gattis, Audley Freed) 02. “Day of the Dead” (Keith Gattis) 03. “So Long 6th Street” (Feat. Jack Ingram and Miranda Lambert) (Bowen, Gattis) 04. “Broken Glass” (Feat. Lucie Silvas) (Bowen) 05. “Death, Dyin’ and Deviled Eggs” (Feat. Jon Randall) (Bowen, Randall) 06. “7:30” (Bowen, Angaleena Presley, Waylon Payne) 07. “Acuña” (Feat. Lucie Silvas) (Bowen, Gattis, Freed) 08. “Compass Rose” (Bowen and Andrew Combs) 09. “Anchor” (Feat. Lucie Silvas) (Bowen and Jeremy Spillman) 10. “Fell in Love on Whiskey” (Bowen and Charlie Worsham) 11. “Calling All Demons” (Bowen and Seth James)
Wade Bowen  11/16/2014            
FIFTH HORSEMAN
SUN SHINES ON THIS DREAMER October 28, 2014 'If We Ever Make It Home' will remain Wade's true masterpiece forever and a day. Wade Bowen, I salute you for making the best album I've ever heard, way back in 2008. Nothing will ever surpass it. This is what authentic music should sound like. This is what authentic music should FEEL like. Heartfelt, warm, like coming home to the one you love. A love that just is, without a doubt. True love, real love, a love that's here to stay. Well, listening to his newest creation for the very first time on a dark day in October is like coming home all over again... Different year, but that very same warm love that started way back when, is still there. Same warmth, same closeness, same authenticity. 'Sun Shines On A Dreamer' is already music to these ears, a classic, after merely three spins. And then it's time to head for 'My California', and what a nice trip it is... Sundrenched, mellow, laidback, words fail me, but they don't fail Wade. 'Watch Her Drive' sounds like kinda 'inbetween' at first, but the beautifully layered harmonic chorus lifts it straight out of the ordinary and Wade's magic goes & does it again. Watch Him Drive ! 'Hungover' tastes like it a genuine sequel track that would fit right in on that dream of an album 'If We Ever Make It Home'. First few seconds take me by surprise: Wade's voice in its purest, most naked form. Husky sadness begging for a wonderful melody, tugging the strings of a heart that beats in anticipation... Melancholic electric guitar sheds a tear that slowly glistens in the moonlight, an empty bottle lies still as the moonshine sits silently in the background, casting tree branch shadows over a puddle of distant memories. So heartfelt, and yet another favorite of mine already. Wow. Not even halfway through this album and I feel I've died and gone to heaven, one way ticket, already. Life is sad, yet oh so beautiful... "I've been a drunk, I've been a dreamer..." and I'm swept off my feet yet again by the wonderful 'West Texas Rain'. Harmonies merge as the sky pours out its little heart. Vince Gill, Sean McConnell (harmonies), Audley Freed (The Black Crowes, guitar) and Fred Eltringham (Wallflowers, drums) all lend a hand. "I've been a lover, I've been a father..." "...choices that I'd like to change..." Don't you change anything about yourself, Wade. You're good to go, just keep on going. Wade Bowen is truly a huge experience in my life, and it feels like I've known him for a lifetime already. His music feels so good, and if I truly had to pick one artist amongst a cast of thousands, there would be no doubt. This is the artist that has made it big time into my world. A world of dreams, a world of emotions, a world of appreciation for the small things in life, the happiness that nature gives you when it engulfs you with its soothing rustle, come rain or shine. 'When It's Reckless' sounds like the single that kicks off this album, but then at tripled speed. Just keep on hitting that good ol' road and watch that Wade go. Nice slice of electric guitar carves that dried up asphalt right open. "Girl I got to have you now... set me on fire!" A little rough around the edges, indeed. Time to hit those brakes and chill to those nice rhytmic acoustic sun beaten strums... gathering swirling dust crumbs scattered by that previous tune that pulled every punch there was to pull, only to settle down gently upon that smooth and grainy voice timbre that is so uniquely Wade. 'Long Enough To Be A Memory'... and then some. 'Sweet Leona' tiptoes through the back door, as a passionate harmonica sweeps up those stairs, covering the steps with rose petals that gently pulsate to the rhythm of love's embedded heartbeat... No red carpets necessary, a mere 'Welcome Mat' will suffice. Wipe your feet, buckle up: more wonderful music on its way, folks. Roaring Americana style electric guitar moves to the fore, as the song breaks down only to leave this listener yearning for... more. "Miles & miles of this ol' van, things don't always go the way we plan..." Isn't that a fact, Wade! Randy Rogers, Cody Canada, and Sean McConnell (who co-wrote two songs on the 2008 'If We Ever Make It Home' album) join in on this road trip towards freedom. 'Honky Tonk Road' (originally written by Nashville producer slash studio musician Ray Stevenson) sounds like four buddies having a whale of a time, outlaw style. "Where the lights are hot but the beer is cold..." Last call, folks! Yes, Wade Bowen has finally freed himself from the shackles of commitments, breaks the restraints of ability and courage... Just watch that 'Yankee' yank his chains to shreds! This is Wade at his very best: no holds barred, return to innocence, soul/sole resurrection or to put it more simply, reset mode. No more fitting exit than 'I'm Gonna Go' (a old track written by Wade a couple of years back). Sturdy drums set the tone for a spectacular exit, and we're not talking fire escape, here. Six minutes of perseverance and one of two longest Wade tracks to date, only beaten by twenty seconds on 'Watch Her Drive'... 'I'm Gonna Go' also reveils a darker, more threatening Wade, like we've never heard before. Lowering his guard with much promise to a brandnew future, and a fitting end to a more than exciting eponymous adventure. Experimental cover artwork, bordering on both mysterious and minimalist design: a clear break with the past but in keeping with authentic tradition and timeless quality. In these throwaway times, marked by cramped styles and overblown hypes created by music media moguls spending money like it's going out of fashion, Wade Bowen proves to be a big exception to the rule. A unique, heartfelt artist maintaining his very own personality and strength throughout. If 'If We Ever Make It Home' ever were to get knocked off its pedestal, this album could very possibly be the one to do so. Until then, it's the best versatile hi-octane piece of contemporary country music I've heard in a pretty long time. Welcome back, Wade.
Wade Bowen  07/17/2010            
Keith
I love Wades stuff.I sure wish he would come to Phoenix
Wade Bowen  05/16/2010            
Jay
Wade as usual delivers a wonderful CD. You get a little taste of what wades shows are like. But if your hungry for more check out a show and you won't be dissapointed.
Wade Bowen  05/11/2010            
westtexas
I like the billy bobs cd but the one you can download from i-tunes has 2 extra songs "who i am" and "keep hangin on" but they are not on the regular cd from the lonestar web site
Wade Bowen  04/28/2010            
texasmusic1880
At first spin I question the sound quality, the songs are great, however the songs taken from blue light should have been left on that record, overall its still a solid live at billy bobs album
Wade Bowen  04/28/2010            
Jake
Double-live, bitches!
Wade Bowen  04/26/2010            
Meagan
I have been a fan of Wade Bowen for a while now and cannot get enough of his tunes. He always puts on a good show and I try to see him every chance I get. He was amazing at LJT this past weekend. Keep up the good work Wade! I have to get the live at billy bobs cd!
Wade Bowen  04/17/2010            
Ajfontenot
I was at Bob's for this recording and it was amazing! Best concert I've ever been to.
Wade Bowen  03/19/2010            
Eager
From what he has released already, this is going to be constantly in my cd player. I love me some "Matches".
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