John R. Bowman has a long and impressive list of credentials as a musician, singer, and preacher. John started his career in 1991 with bluegrass legend, Doyle Lawson, as his tenor singer and guitarist. After recording four cds and touring with Quicksilver for nearly two years, CMA female vocalist of the year, Alison Krauss, hired John, as her guitarist, for her now infamous band, Union Station. Bowman toured extensively over a year with Krauss until 1994 when he joined gospel legends, The Isaacs. John spent 12 years traveling all over the world with the Isaacs. During this time in 1997, Bowman answered the call to preach. He earned an exhorter’s license through the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee. He has preached in numerous services and revivals over the last 15 years.
In addition to his role as guitarist, banjoist, and fiddle player with the Isaacs, Bowman was commissioned as guitarist/instrumentalist for the Gaither Vocal Band and the Gaither Homecoming tour in 2005. He, along with the Isaacs, are regulars on the Gaither Homecoming videos. In 2006 Bowman left the road to teach at a local Christian School in La Follette, Tennessee. He taught there for 5 years. During this period, 2007-2009, Bowman worked with banjo great, J.D. Crowe, as his bass player and vocalist. John worked with Crowe and the New South for nearly two years.
In November of 2009, Bowman along with Adam Steffey, Ronnie Stewart, Harold Nixon, and Keith Garrett formed the IBMA award winning group, The Boxcars. The group has enjoyed much success in their 3 years of touring, recording 3 cds for the Mountain Home label.
In 2010, Bowman released a tribute cd to his father-in-law, Joe Isaacs. The project entitled, “Family Chain: The Songs of Joe Isaacs,” was nominated for a Dove award. Kyle Cantrell of Sirius XM’s, “Bluegrass Junction,” said that the project was one of the most requested and played cds on the channel’s “Gospel Train.” The project still remains one of the top “spins” on the channel.
Another highlight of 2010, was when Bowman earned a degree in Christian ministries through Oakland City University in Oakland City, Indiana through the Hopper Foundation.
Bowman has recorded 7 solo projects over the span of 24 years. His newest cd, “The Hole,” is now available through this website and on iTunes. It is a 6 song ep which features 5 Gospel songs and 1 bluegrass style song. It also features some of the finest pickers and singers on the planet: Kelly Back, Aubrey Haynie, Ben Isaacs, Gordon Mote, Mike Rogers, and Josh Swift.
After 22 years of traveling with some of the world’s greatest bluegrass and bluegrass gospel bands, Dove Nominations and awards, and a Grammy nomination, Bowman will be booking dates as a solo artist and evangelist. Please contact him on this website to schedule an appointment.