Jimmy Bowen and The Goodwin Brothers both won big in last month’s Josie Music Awards, the largest and most prestigious celebration of independent music in the world. The Goodwins took the trophy for Bluegrass Group of the Year, and Bowen was awarded as Folk/Americana Artist of the Year.
The Josies were launched in 2015 by the mother/daughter team of Josie and Tinamarie Passantino, who created the awards to honor artists in any genre for their talent, skill, material, and professionalism who work independently. Gala awards show presentations have been held since, including the 2022 show hosted on October 23 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
The Josie Music Awards and The Josie Network remain the privately held brand property of the Passantinos. But unlike some similar efforts, there is no fee to enter an artist into consideration for a nomination, and both nominations in the many genre categories and the eventual winners are reviewed and decided by a panel of music industry professionals.
The Goodwin Brothers consist of Jonathan and William Goodwin, along with childhood friend and longtime singing partner Chase Bush. Their sound reflects both their eastern Kentucky upbringing and first love of bluegrass music, interpreted through their many years of experience in the country, pop, and rock music worlds.
Jonathan accepted the award, saying…
“We never did this to become famous. We just wanted to be effective and make people feel something when they heard our music. Some nostalgia, happiness, or maybe just remembering some good times when you were young; that’s the first reason. The second reason was to have fun. I think we have accomplished that at some point. Thanks to our team and our friends.”
Jimmy Bowen has had a long career in bluegrass music, with memorable stints with both The Country Gentlemen and David Parmley & Continental Divide. In more recent years he has expanded into acting, appearing in a number of film and television projects, as well as commercial and training films. Bowen also hosts his own Jimmy Bowen & Friends television series, filmed live in Nashville with his band and a guest artist each week.
Missing his bluegrass days, Bowen is looking to expand his availability with a grass band next year and beyond.
A full list of Josie Music Award winners will be posted soon online. The delay is in respect to the Passantinos wanting to have the awards staff contact all winners directly before it is announced online. With categories representing so many genres all over the world, that can be a lengthy process.
Congratulations all!
Submissions for the 2023 awards will be accepted starting on January 15, 2023.
Jimmy Bowen has worn a number of hats in his career as an entertainer and performer. He played mandolin with The Country Gentlemen for almost a decade starting in the early ’80s, then worked with David Parmley, Scott Vestal & Continental Divide for several more years. His country music creds were earned playing with Earl Thomas Conley, and he’s fronted his own band, Santa Fe, in both a bluegrass and a country setting.
In more recent times he’s also found film and television work as an actor, trading on his rugged appearance and versatile voice.
But this year he’s tackling a new role, that of television producer and host for his latest venture, The Jimmy Bowen Show. The goal is to create a bluegrass and country music-themed talk show for a television network, who have viewed his pilot and expressed enthusiasm about adding it to their schedule. Much like the old Nashville Now program that aired on TNN from 1983-’93, Jimmy envisions a program that will highlight musical performances and interviews with top bluegrass acts and traditional country artists who rarely have opportunities on TV.
He’s seeing the usual format: a desk, chairs for guests, and a stage for live music. If talks with RFD go as planned, you could be seeing the show as early as next year.
He’s been testing the concept with a series of live concerts, starting earlier this year at The Capitol Theater in Lebanon, TN where Bowen lives, and now hosted at The Nashville Palace near The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. A bluegrass show is held the first Thursday of each month at the Palace, with a classic country concert on the second Thursday. At this point, he is recording them for YouTube broadcast, but has a production company and videographer on board for when he gets a green light.
So far he has had Marty Raybon, Daryle Singletary, Flashback, and Mountain Faith on the shows, with Band Of Ruhks scheduled for August 3, and David Parmley on September 7.
Bowen says the idea for the show came to him in a flash, with an unexpected inspiration.
“I’ve always wanted to do this, and it’s a passion project for me. I was watching Forrest Gump late one night after a frustrating day making calls trying to book the band, and heard the line where Forrest’s Mama tells him he would have to figure out his own destiny. It hit me all at once… I’ll make my own way – do my own thing!”
He is looking initially at a half hour format for The Jimmy Bowen Show, and believes that they can get three recorded each Thursday night concert. He could produce one a week for TV, plus there is interest in shooting a matinee at the Nashville Palace before the Friday Night Opry across the street.
These are ambitious plans, but what a great shot in the arm for bluegrass and traditional country music if he can pull this off.
Good luck Jimmy, and let’s hope to hear good news about this project soon.
UPDATE 7/27 – Since we published this story, Jimmy shared this good news.
The Jimmy Bowen Show will be aired on Saturday mornings from 9-10:00 a.m. and again at 12 midnight – 1:00 a.m., Saturday nights. Aired on WUXP My30 Nashville. Station is available on cable, direct, and dish networks. Production is set to begin soon, with broadcasts hopefully beginning in October.
This is fun series in which we ask bluegrass music personalities, some famous, some not so famous, about some of their interests as well as about the music that they love.
There’s more to former mandolin player and tenor vocalist for the Country Gentlemen Jimmy Bowen than meets the eye. While it is his musical talents on which we tend to focus, Bowen is a very talented actor … and a qualified accountant.
From Charlotte, North Carolina, Bowen got his first guitar at the age of six. As his father was an avid Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and Reno & Smiley fan he grew up listening to those pioneers. However, at the age of eight Bowen became attracted to contemporary groups such as JD Crowe, Tony Rice, Seldom Scene, Bluegrass Cardinals but, particularly, the Country Gentlemen and the voice of Charlie Waller.
At the age of 12 or 13 he started learning how to sing tenor and practicing songs from the Country Gentlemen repertoire. While in one of the later years of high school, Bowen realized a dream when he got to sing with Waller when the Country Gentlemen were making an appearance in Statesville, North Carolina.
On graduating from school he moved on to study accounting at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, graduating with a degree in 1985.
Bowen had a seven-year tenure (late 1987 – November 1994) with the Country Gentlemen, helping with the recording of two albums – New Horizon and Souvenirs – before going on to play with Continental Divide, with whom he stayed for almost four years.
In 1998 he formed his own band, Santa Fe, and released three bluegrass albums, two of which were on Bowen’s own label, Santa Fe. Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe also released Single Down in San Antone, “a new sound combining Country/Bluegrass and Pop music,” according to CDBaby.
Lately, he has travelled with the Country music icon Earl Thomas Conley and doing Americana and bluegrass dates with his band, Santa Fe.
In 2011 Bowen made his acting debut in the FX TV drama, Outlaw Country; he says “I was cast as a henchman, really cool part, I got to kill people and blow up stuff.”
Since then he has done several Toby Keith’s videos and commercials for a few trucking companies. In the television drama, Nashville, he was cast in a speaking part, leading to him becoming a member of the Screen Actors’ Guild.
Since Nashville he has had all-speaking parts with castings and auditions with Robert Redford and Woody Harrelson. He has been called back, and he has had several auditions with Billy Ray Cyrus on a new sitcom he is trying to get going.
What would you like to drink?
“I mostly drink water now.”
Do you want anything to eat as well?
“I love fruit. Pineapple, apples, strawberries, almonds…”
What’s your favorite food?
“My favorite food is Mexican. I love authentic Mexican food. Chips and salsa go a long way with me.”
And what would you have to drink with that?
“I love margarita’s with my Mexican.”
What’s the nicest meal that you have ever had?
“The nicest meat I have ever had was aged filet mignon.”
Let’s talk bluegrass….. Where/when did you first hear bluegrass music?
“I first heard bluegrass music at home when I was a child. My father was a huge Reno/Smiley, Monroe, and Flatt/Scruggs fan. So, was I. Still am, but when I heard the Country Gentlemen at the age of eight, I knew that was it. I always wanted to learn and be a member of that great band. In 1987 I had my chance and I became of member of the Country Gentlemen for eight years. Won several awards singing with Charlie Waller and traveled the country and aboard. Then David Parmley and I hooked up and I became a member of Continental Divide along with him, Scott Vestal, Ricky Simpkins, and Mike Anglin.
Which song do you have a particular liking for?
“The best song in which I favor is Casey’s Last Ride. I sang this song so many of times with Charlie Waller, I love the story it tells and I definitely loved the way Charlie sang the lyrics.”
Which particular album do you like best and why?
“I think the best bluegrass album was the Vanguard album, The Country Gentlemen. The music and lyrics on every song had a story to tell. It would make you laugh, cry, or remember some special moment in your life. The songs were new, fresh, original. The whole album appealed to new audiences because you could relate to the songs.”
Of all the instruments that you have owned what’s your favorite instrument?
“I play guitar and mandolin. I play a Martin D-35, 1974 model and I also perform with a 1991 F-5 Gibson mandolin. I perform both bluegrass and Americana with these two instruments. My most favorite is my Martin. I have had it since I was 12.”
What’s your favorite bluegrass memory?
“My most favorite memory is being a apart of the legendary group the Country Gentlemen. Charlie and I had a father/son relationship. He was wonderful to work with and always a pleasure to be with. The memories are endless and other fine artists that I have had the honor of meeting through the Gentlemen are priceless. My dearest friend, John Duffey was my favorite. I have had the pleasure of performing with many of the past members through the years, such as Doyle Lawson, Ed Ferris, John Duffey, Bill Yates, Bill Emerson and the list goes on.”
How do you keep fit and healthy when you spend so much time on the road?
“In my older years, I have started to try to stay fit. I tell my grown kids that I plan to live to be 150 just to make you mad. Here in the last few months I have tried to eat better, watch carbs, fats, and especially sugar. I am a SWEET TEA nut, but I have stopped that. Eat more organic foods and drink lots of water. Since September 2014, I have tried to average about 3 to 4 hours of working out each week. Seems to be working. When I am on the road, I really have to hunt for good/right food. Grilled chicken, greens, and fruits. Most of the time I have them on the bus with me.”
Are you a sports fan? Who do you follow?
“I love hockey. I am a season Nashville Predators pass holder. I go to all the Pred’s hockey games when off the road.”
What hobbies do you have?
“I guess my best hobby is just riding my motorcycle. I love just getting on the bike and riding for hours. Sometimes, I leave the house and it may be days before I return home. Relaxing.
Recently I have started flying. I am working to acquire my pilot’s license and I love getting in my plane and flying.”
What is your favorite film and why?
“My favorite film is a movie called, The Lords of Discipline. It is about the treatment of Citadel Cadets in Charleston South Carolina. I love it because partly I am a Citadel Grad, class of 85, and I love the story it tells of the out of ordinary military life for a college student.”
Do you get much time to watch TV?
“I do watch TV, but I love movies. I mostly analyze them now.”
What would you be doing if you weren’t involved in bluegrass music?
“My agent has me into acting now. If I wasn’t performing bluegrass or Americana, I would act. I have been doing it for two years now along with performing. I have been cast in a TV movie called, Outlaw Country, cast in several videos with Toby Keith, several commercials, a segment the TV Drama, Nashville, which made me SAG member. So I also joined the actor’s union. Just finished a commercial for Dayton Tires, and have a few auditions with Robert Redford and Woody Harroldson. So, never know where it may lead.
At the moment, I will keep performing bluegrass, Americana and acting. I enjoy it all.”
Numerous bluegrass artists performing today got their start in the late 1980s and ’90s, helping to solidify the country-tinged mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass that is so popular these days. One of these artists is Jimmy Bowen, who, after spending time with the Country Gentleman and David Parmley & Continental Divide, formed his own band, Santa Fe, in the late nineties. Bowen has recently released a collection of some of the most enjoyable tunes from his previous four releases, entitled The Sky is Weeping.
While Bowen is currently performing and recording both Americana and country style tunes as well, this collection is solidly bluegrass. Its twelve tracks come from several popular songwriters, including Harley Allen, John Pennell, and Gordon Lightfoot, all given a nice nineties feel, and anchored by Bowen’s smooth, high lead vocals.
The album kicks off with the midtempo title track, a Randall Hylton composition about a man who seems to be at the end of his rope. The harmonies are well-done, and Bowen and guest Ron Stewart contribute tasteful mandolin and fiddle, respectively. Another enjoyable midtempo piece is Harley Allen’s well-written Wildwood Flower Blues, which speaks of a man who has encountered some hardships in life he didn’t expect.
Like Tony Rice and others, Bowen does a nice job of adapting a Gordon Lightfoot tune to the bluegrass style, this time with Early Morning Rain, which has been previously recorded by artists such as Elvis, Jerry Reed, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Bowen’s version is faster than most others, but the song’s lonesome feeling still comes through. Another cover of a popular tune is Seven Bridges Road, made famous by the Eagles. The sound of this version is fairly similar to the Eagles’ cut of the song, with the addition of an extended instrumental opening and closing.
Bowen also goes to the Eagles for Love Will Keep Us Alive, giving it a full bluegrass makeover. It’s one of the more driving songs here, quite unlike the laidback original version. The same kind of treatment is given to the Little River Band’s Lady, although it has more of a progressive feel. The old standard, Darlin’ Corey, has hints of the Seldom Scene, while Making Plans has more of a classic country sound.
Several different band lineups are featured on The Sky is Weeping, but the instrumental work and harmonies are solid throughout. In addition to Bowen (mandolin and vocals), Stewart (fiddle), John Pennell (bass and vocals), and Gary Reece (banjo and vocals) play on the majority of the tracks. Rick Briggs (banjo and vocals), Daniel Tousley (bass), Daniel Edmonds, Daniel Dingledein, and Ron Lane (guitar and vocals) are also included.
With this album, Bowen reminds listeners that he and his bandmates have a firm grasp on the modern traditional sound. It would certainly be nice to see some new material from the group, but fans of Bowen’s previous albums, as well as those who like the nineties sound, should enjoy this one nonetheless.
For more information on Jimmy Bowen and Santa Fe, visit him online.
This post is a contribution from David Morris, one of our 2010 IBMA correspondents. See his profile here.
A handful of participants in a tax seminar on the opening day of the World of Bluegrass conference in Nashville got an earful today when Jimmy Bowen sounded off on the state of bluegrass music and a critique of the International Bluegrass Music Association.
“Nobody cares about the music anymore,” said Bowen, who played with the Country Gentlemen for seven years and followed up with a stint with Continental Divide, a past winner of IBMA’s emerging artist of the year. Bowen said IBMA needs to pay more attention to younger, less-experienced performers. Instead of seminars dealing with how to promote your band’s DVD, he said breakout sessions should focus on such basics as how a band can afford to make a DVD and other basics.
In a similar vein, Bowen said promoters contribute to the stagnation of the music industry by hiring the same big-name acts to perform the same sets year after year.
“Promoters have to give other people chances,” he said. “It’s the same acts, doing the same shows.”
Instead of paying Ralph Stanley $30,000, he suggested hiring 10 other acts for the same total price. And many of those acts would still be gate draws. He noted that at the time of co-founder Charlie Waller’s death, the Country Gentlemen were still charging just $3,000 a show.
Bowen acknowledged the criticism of IBMA and bluegrass legends might not play well, but noted, “I’ve been in it so long, I just feel I can voice my opinion.”
On one level, the sharp words directed at Stanley shouldn’t be surprising. Stanley used a section of his 2009 autobiography, Man of Constant Sorrow, to criticize the Gentlemen’s late John Duffy, who Bowen called a friend. Other former bandmates of Duffy have also sounded off about Stanley’s book, most notably Tom Gray, who played with Duffy in both the Gentlemen and the Seldom Scene.
In addition to plugging away on the bluegrass circuit, we understand that mandolinist, vocalist and band leader Jimmy Bowen is shopping a country project to record companies in Nashville.
Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe are working with Music Row maven Gary Lamb to land a record deal. Word has it that Big Machine Records is giving Bowen’s new album a spin to see what develops. I’ve listened to the album‚Ķand it’s good.
Bowen’s group, Santa Fe, includes Rick Briggs on banjo, Daniel Dingeldein Ron Lane on guitar and Blake Bowen on bass. All the members play a variety of instruments, and can perform in either a bluegrass or country format.
