John Cowan is one of bluegrass, country, and rock’s finest tenor vocalist. Fortunately for New Grass Revival, The Doobie Brothers, and many others, he’s a damn fine bass guitarist too!
2020 Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee, vocalist & bass player, John Cowan (Photo credit/Anthony Scarleti)
Along with other New Grass members, he will be officially inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame on October 1 in a previously taped ceremony from the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium. It’s an honor he holds dear to his heart.
Born in Ohio, Cowan first developed his musical talent in Louisville, Kentucky, when he began playing cover tunes in local rock bands.
His first musical break came in the early 1970s when working at a car wash in Louisville and received a call from New Grass Revival member Sam Bush, inviting him to audition. He was offered a spot as the band’s new bassist that very day.
Cowan returned to Louisville long enough to gather his belonging and quit his job. He immediately moved in with another member so the group could begin practicing. They soon discovered just how great a vocal range their new bass player added to the group.
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“Callin’ Baton Rouge,” the highest-charting New Grass Revival tune, was later recorded by Garth Brooks, who also scored a top-five hit on the country charts years later. Cowan also added his tenor vocals to Brook’s version.
When New Grass Revival disbanded around 1990, he joined forces with Pat Simmons of The Doobie Brother’s, Bill Lloyd of Foster & Lloyd, and Rusty Young of Poco to form The Sky Kings.
The Doobie Brother’s decided to reunite in 1992 and needed a bass player. His bandmate and an original Doobie member, Pat Simmons, suggested Cowan would be a wonderful addition to the band.
John Cowan, bass player & tenor vocalist for New Grass Revival & The Doobie Brothers, is a recent inductee into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame (Photo credit/Anthony Scarleti)
A few years later, Cowan left the Doobie’s to explore a solo career. The John Cowan Band still tours, giving audiences a taste of Cowan’s expansive bluegrass vocals.
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As great an instrumentalist and vocalist Cowan is, he still gets star-struck when he encountered close friends like Emmylou Harris or the late Leon Russell. “Both are two of the greatest artists I have ever been associated with.”
With his soft gray hair and engaging smile, the Nashville area resident enjoys touring and looks forward to playing for live audiences. Besides playing with his own band, The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour will hopefully happen in 2021. John Cowan will certainly remain a force in popular music for many years.
Please enjoy this episode with Hall of Famer John Cowan and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.