Owen Temple























Owen Temple
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Mountain Home, the sixth studio record from Austin, Texas-based songwriter Owen Temple, is a collection of songs and stories about eccentric characters set in small towns and on the fringes of big cities. The characters are all on edge- on the verge of freedom, catastrophe, and hope- and the songs tell of strange happenings in rural landscapes both past and present.

Recorded with producer Gabe Rhodes, the album has the feel of a live performance with stellar contributions from Charlie Sexton on bass and baritone guitar, Bukka Allen on keyboards, Tommy Spurlock on pedal steel and drummer Rick Richards.

The project includes songs written by Temple and co-writes with Adam Carroll, Scott Nolan, and Gordy Quist (of The Band of Heathens). Temple’s love of folk, blues, and bluegrass shines through in the arrangements and the playing of his compadres.

“I love traditional music- old songs that cross time and space to tell you what the people cared about,” Temple says. “With my songs I'm trying to get down some of the stories of this place.”

Temple’s last album, Dollars and Dimes, went to #5 on the Freeform American Roots chart and #1 on the Euro Americana chart and earned raves for its uncompromising vision of the American dream’s darker side. On Mountain Home, Temple narrows his focus, honing in on the small towns and colorful characters of his home state. The basic tracks were cut live with minimal overdubs. Temple’s emotive singing brings the songs to vibrant life.

Mountain Home explores the lives of small time hustlers, politicians, hard scrabble farmers, wildcatters, and ne’er do wells that contributed to the colorful history of Southwest Texas. Tracks include the bluesy “Medicine Man,” the story of the mad conquistador Cabeza de Vaca; “Small Town,” a talking blues that captures the claustrophobia one feels in a community where everyone knows your business; “Desdemona,” a moody eulogy to an oil rush boomtown; “Old Sam,” a salute to Sam Houston that blends the facts and fiction that gave birth to Texas mythology; and the title track, a bluegrass shuffle that tells the story of a jailbird returning home after a 20 year stretch in the pen.

The songs on Mountain Home are vignettes of real life. Temple’s singing gives them a sense of time and place that makes you feel the hot dusty sun and the cold chill of the unforgiving night. The album captures the feel of the desperate dreamers who want to believe in their latest scheme, even as they feel reality breathing down their neck.

Owen Temple won the B. W. Stevenson Songwriting Competition sponsored by Poor David’s Club in Dallas and became a finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk competition in 2007. He’s known throughout Texas, the Midwest, and the Eastern US as a first-class songwriter, compelling performer and fine singer. Three of his previous albums, General Store, Passing Through, and Two Thousand Miles, were produced by Lloyd Maines and became regional best sellers.

Temple met multi-instrumentalist and producer Gabe Rhodes, son of singer/songwriter Kimmie Rhodes, in 2006. Rhodes became part of Temple’s touring band and produced Dollars and Dimes and Mountain Home. Temple and Rhodes will be touring to support the album. “I’m a songwriter out of the narrative folk tradition,” Temple says. “The songs I remember hearing years afterward, that stick with me longest, are songs that have taken me places, that allow you to travel with the story. I hope to continue that tradition, to pass that experience on.”

Date Venue City State Note
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05/26/2008 - Owen Temple "Two Thousand Miles" - Read More
12/06/2007 - Owen Temple Appearing @ Cypress Saloon Dec. 21st - Read More
09/06/2007 - From Madison to Austin: Owen Temple returns for a show - Read More
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Average Rating : 0              Total Reviews: 43


Owen Temple  07/17/2007            
txgirl485
Owen's got a new CD out (its called Two Thousand Miles) and its really good! You can get it as a digital download on LoneStarTunes.com before it is officially released as a CD in September. Just thought you guys would want to know...
Owen Temple  06/12/2007            
Emily
I heard Owen live in the acustic tent for the first time this weekend down at the Rowdy Ride Float Trip. He was AMAZING! I loved his music, his style, and he was extrememly easy to talk to and very humble about his music. Good luck Owen and I was soo disappointed that your CD with Red Wine and Tequila wasn't out yet! I WANT IT!!!
Owen Temple  10/20/2006            
hunter
owen is a badass artist who needs to come back to texas. why go up north for school when you write about san antone. the audience is here i assure you, you have to get the venues and put out your new songs.
Owen Temple  08/16/2006            
Next Project
A new record from Owen will be out in early 2007 and it looks like he will be touring thoughout Texas and the Midwest around the release. His website news section just posted this info. Hope this helps.
Owen Temple  08/01/2006            
Tex
Actually spoke with Owen last night in Dallas. He is working with Lloyd on some new material and will be back in Texas this spring playing again. Rock on Owen!!
Owen Temple  04/03/2006            
A
Owen has moved to Wisconsin to go back to school. I am a huge fan and wish he was still down here playing. but, it looks like he wont be in the near future, if not ever again
Owen Temple  02/22/2006            
Jason
Anyone heard when Owen is going to make his way back to the Texas music scene. Been awhile sense I hear anything from him.
Owen Temple  06/02/2005            
texas frat
by far owen's best album
Owen Temple  10/03/2003            
BUTLER
ONE OF THE ALL TIME BEST CDS I'VE HEARD. EVERY SONG IS A JEWEL.
Owen Temple  09/26/2003            
brent hamilton
Truly a gifted singer-songwriter. The tune Little Sweet Loss is by far better than any of the drivel heard on country radio today. Owen writes and plays from the heart from beginning to end. Buy this CD and throw away the jewel case cuz you will not want to quit listening anytime soon. Really deserves 10 stars!
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