Singer/songwriter Wade Bowen
For more than two decades, singer/songwriter Wade Bowen has built a strong country music following from his home state of Texas. He’s charted dozens of country hits on radio and released a collection of studio albums that have garnered him a strong following and recently saw him named Texas Male Vocalist of the Year.
His newest album Flyin, features his most diverse work yet, with songs ranging from old fashioned country ballads to country rock and classic rock. Influences range from Merle Haggard and George Jones to Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, ZZ Top, and more.
“I really feel like there’s something special about this album and can’t wait for people to hear it,” Bowen says. “There’s an energy to this record I feel I’ve never had before.”
Cover of Wade Bowen's latest album "Flyin"
It’s the second album he’s produced. He says the title track sets the tone for that new energy he mentioned.
“As soon as I wrote the song ‘Flyin’ I knew this is going to be the name of the record. It’s been a crazy ride for me the last three to five years of my career and my life, and this song really hits home as far as the way I feel right now. When I walk on stage, I feel like I’m flying, and I feel like that with everything I’m doing right now.”
Songs include the fast-paced “The Hardest Part,” the slower, cleverly written” Two Hurts, One Stoned,” the Springsteen/Eagles inspired “Rainin On Me,” then the more vulnerable “Hidin Behind This Microphone.”
“I think that’s a really cool side of the story to show people it’s not always drinking beer, partying, and having fun on the road,” he says. “This song reminds me of Merle Haggard and George Jones. We all have dark days every now and then, and there are days when we struggle.”
Others include “Mary Jane,” then there’s the rousing “Nothin But Texas,” a song B debuted after singing the National Anthem earlier this year on opening day for the Texas Rangers.
There’s also a Texas-influence at the beginning of the song “Friday Night,” which pays homage to the importance of Friday night high school football across America. Bowen got his friend and hero, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman to play the role of football announcer at the start of the song.
Troy Aikman #8, Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys during the National Football League Super Bowl ... [+]
“He’s been a hero and a friend,” Bowen says. “And I had posters of this guy on my wall as a kid, so why not shoot for the stars and see if he’d do it. He’s a big country music fan and didn’t even hesitate. He said he’d love to be a part of it.”
Bowen says he wrote a short script and Aikman aced it. There’s no video yet for the song, but if they do one, Aikman will definitely be featured.
With the release of the new album, Bowen will be busy touring across the country to promote it, but he’s excited about several shows coming up with Miranda Lambert close to home over Memorial Day Weekend. All three will take place in New Braunfels.
“She’s one of my best friends,” he says. “So, I can’t imagine sitting there, playing at an amphitheater right on the river, underneath the summer stars three nights in a row, just hanging out, drinking and playing music. It’s going to be so much fun.”
As he’s built his music career, Bowen has remained dedicated to giving back. He spends a lot of time raising money for the Bowen Foundation.
“This is a family affair, and we love doing it,” he explains. “My little sister runs it, my mom and dad are heavily involved, and I have two other sisters who help out, as well. We do everything from huge festivals to tiny events and our motto is anything involving children or families, we try to help.”
So far, Bowen says, they’ve raised more than $6 million dollars to fund over 20 different organizations.
He’s grateful to be in a position to help others overcome difficult times.
Singer/songwriter Wade Bowen
Bowen has had some challenges of his own and is grateful to be on the other side. Just six years ago, he began having trouble with his vocal cords and at first, doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. He ended up having surgery and got a doctor who was able to figure out and correct what was wrong. Then COVID shuttered things musically for him, just as it did for everyone else.
Now, though, things are back on track, and he’s excited about the new album.
“I’m really, really proud of it and think if people take a chance and listen to it, they’ll hear something really special.”
