Hailing from Waco, Texas, U.S., Wade Bowen’s earliest musical success came with the band West 84, which introduced the Texan to songwriting and performing life. By 2001 the band had changed direction leaving Bowen, who had graduated from college with a degree in public relations, with an important decision whether he would continue to pursue music. That decision was made clear with the release of his debut album “Try Not to Listen”, which made waves across Waco, Texas upon release in 2002. Spawning the regional hit “Try Not to Listen”, Bowen supported the record by playing anywhere up to 250 concerts, strengthening the singer’s live performance skills.
Showcasing his energetic, emotive and crowd-pleasing live show, Bowen issued the live album “The Blue Light Live” in September 2004, marking the singer’s first exposure outside of Texas. The full-length “Lost Hotel” subsequently arrived in February 2006 on Sustain Records spawning the single/music video “God Bless This Town”. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came two years later in September 2008 with his third studio album “If We Ever Make It Home”. The record was his first to land on any national chart, peaking at No. 29 on the U.S. Country, and was led by the singles “Daddy and the Devil” and “Trouble”.
The concert CD “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” followed in April 2010, peaking at No. 41 on the U.S. Country Music Chart, after which Bowen signed with BNA Records who issued his fourth full-length “The Given” in May 2012. Far surpassing the success of its predecessors, “The Given” landed at No. 9 on the U.S Country Chart, and No. 44 on the Billboard 200. The popular singles “Saturday Night” and “To Live Is to Fly” were subsequently released in time for Bowen to embark on a relentless national tour. In 2013 Bowen issued the single “Songs About Trucks”, before issuing his self-titled, fourth album in October 2014. Once again peaking at No. 9 on the U.S. Country Charts, the record spawned the single “When I Woke Up Today”, and was followed by the split album “Hold My Beer, Vol. 1” alongside Randy Rogers.
Wade Bowen is a Texas boy, born and bred, but thank goodness his music has made its way out of the Lone Star State and started to spread around the rest of the US. His big sound, tight production and appealing lyrics will always be definitively Texan in that, just like the state, Wade will always do things his own way. Wade’s musical assertiveness and his commendable work ethic – he self released his first single, and has been known to play hundreds of shows per year - are the reason his music has gained such a strong following.
Go to a Wade Bowen concert and you’ll see hordes of beer-drinking fans excitedly waiting for him to show them a good time. And boy does he deliver. Bringing out catchy hits like ‘Saturday Night’ and ‘You Had Me At My Best’ Wade sings to the heavens and makes sure everyone is having a good time. Even Wade’s band gets wrapped up in his magic. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a supporting band look more pleased with themselves up on stage. Wade’s band are so happy to be there with him, they could just as easily be fans that won a competition to watch him from the stage. For a good time, definitely get yourself to a Wade Bowen show.