Biography

Through his years as a solo artist and as a member of the multi-award-winning groups, The Isaacs, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and the Grammy-nominated Boxcars, John R. Bowman has become known as a substantial and authentic artist in American roots music for a sound that’s pure, powerful and rooted. Now he’s releasing his newest recording for Mountain Home Music Company — The Hole, a six-song EP of finely-crafted, heartfelt Country and Bluegrass Gospel.

Made with support from a stellar group of musicians, many of whom have shared the stage and studio with him before, Bowman applies his clear, silvery tenor to a set that presents a rich variety of gospel sentiments. The title track is a cautionary Skip Ewing-penned tale, given a compellingly muscular, hard country reading that underlines the grittiness of the story, while “I Didn’t Drive the Nails” is restrained and reflective, perfectly suited to Bowman’s serene vocal. And fans of Bowman’s bluegrass roots will rejoice to hear his driving banjo in numbers like the exuberant story of “You Ought’ve Been There (Johnny Run The Pews)” and the classic “I’ll Talk It All Over With Him.”

“This EP was created with the intention of glorifying God,” says Bowman. “Each track, with the exception of ‘Silverthorn Mountain’ — a song about life — has a focused and pointed message that leads to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is my hope and aim that this music brings comfort, joy, and salvation to all who listen to it.”