Biography

"It won’t take long for Fowler’s third solo release to move you. His songs are sharply written bursts of swampy blues that never overstay their welcomes while leaving space for sincere talk-sung vocals and liquid-metal guitar lines.

Fowler is a well-established figure in his hometown of Athens, Georgia, gigging with dozens of talented neighbors, including ex-R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry, who contributes to one track here, and members of Randall Bramblett’s band, who play on several cuts. There’s a sense of restraint, unusual for blues-rockers, that brings a noir-soaked atmosphere to songs such as the dark,brooding “Feel So Much Better” and, especially, a remarkable 10-minute cover of Savoy Brown’s “Hellbound Train” that rides an ominous groove.

Songwriting is generally where adherents to this cluttered genre fail. But with cutting-edge lyrics on songs such as “Infected With the Blues” and “Preacher” (the latter a scathing indictment of clergymen who use funerals to push their religious agendas), Fowler brings maturity and intelligence to his craft. “Running From the Truth” comments on the political climate but still finds room for a scorching guitar solo. The disc’s sound is defined, clean, and muscular without being simply loud; every instrument blends into the mix, resulting in an aggressive but never overwhelming vibe best illustrated by the walking bass line of “Road to Nowhere.”

Most of the tunes are originals, but “Hitchhiking,” the disc’s sole acoustic track, is a cover that lends an achingly folky feel to the proceedings as Fowler overdubs guitar lines to riveting effect.

It might have taken some time for Fowler to get back on his good foot, but judging by this release, it was worth the wait."...Hal Horowitz, Blues Revue Magazine, Nov. 2008

"Athens, Georgia's Rick Fowler is a midnight stalker on guitar, steady when called for, but fearless when he rips into the moment. As a vocalist he's spooky-smooth. Randall Bramblett, along with a few others, mixes up tasty blues/rock cocktails behind Fowler on Back On My Good Foot. There's a distinct Brit-invasion vibe to several of the songs, but the production and the deft, exciting performances root the album firmly in the here and now. “You've got skeletons in your closet; well mine's out walkin' 'round; and when that jawbone starts to rattle; it spreads the news all over town.” That line alone, on top of a stomping beat, distinguishes Fowler as one hell of a writer. The timely political outrage in “Running from the Truth” and the chic blues in “Walk Softly” are two more cases in point. As a perfect conclusion to the album, the band all but one-ups Savoy Brown in ten agile minutes of sheer “Hellbound Train.” ...Hittin' the Note magazine, June, 2008

"As a writer, Rick Fowler pens songs that reach out and literally grab the listener by the lapels. Add to that his stinging guitar attack and a red-hot backing band, and Back On My Good Foot makes for a highly-recommended listen!!!" ... Don Crow - The Music City Blues Society

"With so many blues guitarists aping the Vaughns, it's refreshing to hear somebody wear his British blues influences on his sleeve. . . Fowler achieving a fat sound that would do Kim Simmonds proud. . . Road to Nowhere and the Strat-y Walk Softly are good, old-fashioned, unadorned blues." ... Dan Forte - Vintage Guitar Magazine

“Fowler sings with an understated intensity and his playing isn't showy, but brims over with a dark soulful power. Fowler's also a superior songwriter, and while his scenarios are unremittingly bleak they're also imbued with a self-effacing humor that keeps things from getting too grim. The opener, "Infected With the Blues", likens the blues to a fatal disease. Fowler's observations on his condition here mirror the lives of many as he sings "I'm worried 'bout the future, I'm haunted by the past, ain't crazy 'bout the present, I pray that it can't last" His solo is full of fire and brimstone that belies his protestation of helplessness.” ... j.poet – Billboard.com, All Music Guide. May, 2008

Rick Fowler: Bio:

Rick Fowler has been playing guitar in bands since the age of twelve. He learned to play primarily by listening to early British blues/rock guitarists and American blues and rock players. He has performed with some of the world's top musicians and toured much of Europe and The Mediterranean. Although he has enjoyed playing a number of musical styles with various artists, his deep blues roots can always be clearly heard.

Here are a few moments in his history:

1975: Rick was on the road much of the time with his band Ziggurat. This was a very prolific group, producing a large catalog of original material. When the band became too heavily orchestrated with its classical rock material, Rick left in order to change back to a more stripped-down blues/rock style.

1980: Rick constantly performed with his band Deacon Little and recorded as a studio musician with pop singer Bertie Higgins, whose hit single Key Largo reached platinum sales in several countries.

1982: Fowler’s band Deacon Little changed its name to Fortnox and shortly therafter signed with Epic Records.

The song, Storm Inside My Head went to number 44 in US Airplay and the band’s video reached the top 20 on MTV. The band toured the US and Canada non-stop for about a year in support of the record. Fortnox relentlessly traveled, headlining small to medium venues and performing in stadiums and large halls as the supporting act for top rock acts such as Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, George Thorogood, Joan Jett, The Ramones, The Outlaws, Johnny Van Zant, April Wine, Pat Benetar, and dozens of others.

1984: Rick’s band Bombay recorded an album with legendary British producer Eddie Offord (of John Lennon, Yes, and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer fame). The video Rumble Tonight received airplay on MTV and appeared on a number of other rock music television programs.

1986: Rick joined the band Drivin' Blind and returned to his deep blues roots. He also began recording solo blues/rock projects and performing and recording traditional-style blues music with his friend Harl Baggett, a local legend of blues music.

1989: Fowler played guitar with the band Bad Fun, mostly touring Europe and parts of the Middle East. The band was evacuated from Turkey, returning to the US at the end of the Gulf War.

1991: Rick moved to Athens, Georgia. He began performing with a number of Athens-based artists, including Ralph Roddenberry, Redneck Greece, and The Lonely White Boys (a band he formed with Drivin' N' Cryin guitarist Buren Fowler, Dreams So Real drummer Drew Worsham, and Normaltown Flyers bassist Greg Veale).

In addition, he devoted much of the next few years to working as both a studio musician and an engineer and producer. Rick either produced or played on over 75 CD projects during this time. Fowler also regularly played guitar in side band projects with Bill Berry (R.E.M.), Dave Schools (Widespread Panic, Government Mule), Randall Bramblett (Traffic), and a number of other popular musicians.

1996: In addtion to his musical pursuits, Fowler (who has Tourette syndrome) wrote a book titled The Unwelcome Companion, An Insider’s View of Tourette Syndrome. The book was released by a small company (Silver Run Publications) and quickly became a widely-used guide for Tourette syndrome patients, caregivers, and family members.

1997: With a desire to create a musical endeavor to help support his cause, Rick put together a band of well-known musicians to perform the first rock concert benefit for Tourette syndrome awareness. Bill Berry, who was at the time retiring from the mega-star band R.E.M., made the show his farewell performance, allowing his drums to be auctioned off at the end of the night. Randall Bramblett from the band Traffic performed as did many other internationally-known musicians. All funds were donated to the Tourette Syndrome Association, Georgia Chapter. The event received international coverage including MTV, CNN, VH-1, AOL, Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine, and a number of other music news outlets.

Fowler performed three additional benefit concerts for TS awareness, joined by other rock music celebrities including members of Widespread Panic and Drivin’ N ' Cryin.

2000: Welcome Companions, a CD recorded by the benefit concert band, was released by Polyglot Records under the band name Rick Fowler and Friends. The CD received airplay on over 150 radio stations and appeared in major music publications throughout the world, increasing awareness about the disorder. The CD features vocalist Sherry Joyce with ex-R.E.M. member Bill Berry on drums.

2005: Fowler’s band performed in Montreal for the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada and Rick’s film Inside Tourette Syndrome (a documentary about adults with TS) was released. Rick, Grand Rapids-based rocker Leonard Misner, vocalist Sherry Joyce, and bassist Jonathan Dorsey recorded Northern Exposure, a benefit CD for the Canadian Tourette Syndrome Foundation to be released in 2007.

2006: Rick played guitar on over 20 new CD projects in addition to performing regularly as the guitarist for both the soul powerhouse group Rack of Spam and The Wildcats, a popular Georgia-based blues-rock band. In addition, he played a number of southeastern shows with his own band and did some solo appearances in New York and Washington DC, including joining jazz keyboard legend Micheal Wolff for a gig in Alexandria, VA. A highlight of this year for Rick was recording with one of his earliest influences; Roland Janes (guitarist for Jerry Lee Lewis and other 50's hitmakers) in Memphis, TN at Sam Phillips Recording.

2007: Fowler signs with Jammates Records and records the CD Back On My Good Foot, released in March, 2008.