Django Reinhardt, Tony Rice, Oscar Aleman, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Norman Blake, Charlie Christian, Martin Taylor, Borelli LeGrene, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Jerry Reed, Julian Bream, John Williams, Christopher Parkening, David Russell, John Hartford, Kate Rusby, Wil Maring, Maura O'Connell, Paul Brady, The Bothy Band, Jascha Heifitz, Itzhak Perlman, Grady Martin, George Barnes, Joe Pass, Johnny Smith, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ennio Morricone, Albert Collins, BB King, Doc Watson
Above: Robert playing fiddle with Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys
Above: Robert playing guitar with Jeannie Kendall ("Heaven's Just a Sin Away")
Above: Robert with Hank Thompson
Above: Brad Davis, Wil Maring, and Robert (on mandolin)
Above: Robert with Wil Maring on the Grand Ole Opry
Sounds Like
Mostly sounds like Robert Bowlin, but could compare to: David Grier, Tony Rice, Tommy Emmanuel, Pete Hutlinger, Jim Hurst, Martin Taylor, Django Reinhardt
Robert Bowlin started at age 1 and a half playing the ukelele, graduated to his dad's guitar at age 5, and has been creating unique and beautiful guitar music ever since. He won the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship in Winfield, KS in 1979 and got 2nd in the Flatpicking Guitar Contest in 1978. His professional career has included stints with artists such as Maura O' Connell, Kathy Mattea, Tom T. Hall, the Osborne Brothers, Bill Monroe, Ray Price, Bobby Bare, Faron Young, Ricky Van Shelton. He was a session guitarist and fiddler in Nashville for countless recordings. He has played onstage with artists such as BB King and Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, and Vassar Clements. He has performed his original music on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
He has a new cd of solo guitar instrumentals entitled "Six String Soliloquy". Here is what experts have to say:
"This recording is wonderful! It's mostly original instrumentals, a few traditional tunes and a Stephen Foster medley.Robert has a real gift for melody. You hear the original tunes and you feel like you've heard them before (but you haven't). When he plays a standard, like "Whisky Before Breakfast," he really makes it his own. His solo style doesn't sound like anyone elses. Robert blends Bluegrass, Jazz and other influences in a way that sounds natural and unforced. I would describe his phrasing as vocal. Many guitarists sound mechanical. He's just the opposite, milking every phrase for maximum feeling. And the tone he gets out of his 1930 Larson is just beautiful. He's not afraid of space and never adds unecessary notes that get in the way of hearing the melody. There are lots of guitarists these days who have great technique and can generate excitement with hot picking. Robert can certainly do the same. But there are few who work with the full range of emotion that is possible in music. These are medium and slow paced solos intended to move the listener. Though they'll appeal to any guitar playing person with an ear, they'll also appeal to others who don't care what kind of guitar he plays or whether or not he uses a custom made bevelled pick. Do you have a spouse who's tired of hearing your flatpicking CDs? Get this one and you'll both enjoy it!This is really one of the finest guitar recordings I've heard in years. It's only fault is that it's too short. I could listen to Roberts picking all day."
- Dan Mozell
"His playing is really incredible - tasteful,passionate, and unique. He is a virtuoso flatpicker who is well-versed inmany styles. It's incredible that he's known primarily as a fiddler, havingbeen Monroe's "last" fiddle player.I recently judged him in a contest (Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesboro,TN - www.uncledavemacondays.com), and he played an absolutely jaw-dropping"Waltz for Django" on that old Larson. Tone from now on!"
- Boge Quinn
Robert, So glad both you and Wil came and stayed. It was a nice visit/company. The Music Review on you turned out really nice printed in the Bluegrass Magazine. Glad Wil got to come to my Plein Air Painting Group outdoor class at Stone Haven Mansion. Keep up the Talent..come again.
Hi Robert, It was so nice having you & Wil Maring over for several days here on old hickory lake area. The house came alive hearing you both play my piano & hearing your really cool 1930's vintage guitar. (the sound is awesome) It was fun with both of you here.
Hi Robert. Maybe you remember … we got some of the same roots. Today’s a very special day for me. My album “Dreams and Shadows” is out now and available at cdbaby.com. 14 Songs … each of them is telling its own story. With influences of great songwriters like Kristofferson, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot or Jim Croce … but most of all it’s my own thing. I’ve just posted the title song and another new song. Maybe you got some minutes to listen, maybe give me a feedback … Have a great day and keep on dreaming… your friend Shiregreen
Hi Robert, thanks a lot for the friendship. Great to be added to such a great singer and songwriter ... and such a unique guitar player. There are wonderful songs on your page, my personal favourite is "New freedom" - full of rhythm and feelings. In some ways we got the same roots. Maybe you got the time to listen to some of my songs. For example “Freedom fighter” which won the worldwide songwriter contest “Comprosers" (Los Angeles /Maastricht 2008). Think you like it. Hope to meet you some day in Germany or in Illinois... who knows. All the best for you and all your friends ... Shiregreen from Germany
Robert, It was nice having ya over here & visiting. Interesting story on you in the part-scene on the series Dallas TV show. You & Wil Maring are always welcomed here anytime, doors open. Come back to Nashville to perform. Keep riding them horses it is a good place to be.
I'll be in Evanston/Wilmette for LilFest (myspace.com/lilfest) in a couple of weeks. I start the whole thing off with a show at Bills Blues on 9/11. Chicago's Michi will be my violin. Hope to see you and your friends there.
