Peter Rowan Shows
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About Peter Rowan
A chameleon of musical genres, Peter Rowan’s original songwriting is the driving force of his musical diversity. One engaging musician. Multiple choices.
Peter Rowan has been performing since 1963, and today he is still making waves in the music world. Not one to pigeonhole himself into any particular genre, Peter is considered a renaissance musician. A solo Peter Rowan performance is one for the true music lover. An audience that loves the magic of beautiful melody paired with thoughtful, original songs and insightful storytelling will be captivated by Peter’s performance.
Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band
Peter Rowan’s bluegrass career started as a Blue Grass Boy in 1964. By Bill Monroe’s own admission, Peter sounded a lot like him. When the two harmonized together, they were said to have reached “heavenly heights.” Monroe & Rowan co-wrote what has already become a bluegrass standard, Walls Of Time. Peter’s touring bluegrass band consists of outstanding players Keith Little, banjo; Paul Knight, bass; and Mike Witcher, dobro. The band features original songs written by Rowan along with Carter Family and Bill Monroe favorites. This is a winning combination for an audience that knows and loves this music!
Peter Rowan’s Big Twang Theory
Peter Rowan’s newest musical configuration, Big Twang Theory, grew from his new songs and musical collaborations with dobroist Michael Witcher and bassist Paul Knight, both members of the current Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, electric guitarist Nina Gerber and Peter’s son, guitarist-singer Michael Carter Rowan (Chartz). Drummers Larry Attamanuik (Alison Krauss, Emmy Lou Harris) Ken Owen (Ten Gallon Cats) and banjo player, Jeff Mosier (Mosier Bros, Blueground Undergrass) also appear with Peter Rowan’s Big Twang Theory when their schedule permits. Says Rowan, “I have always wanted a band that was rooted in bluegrass, but could add the twang of Hank Williams, Carl Perkins and Buddy Holly. They all absorbed Bill Monroe’s bluegrass into honky-tonk and rockabilly. I grew up dancing to that music.”
Peter Rowan’s Twang an’ Groove
Comprised of Peter Rowan (electric guitar and vocals) guitarist Carter Arrington, Darrell Commander on piano, bassist Mike Morgan and drummer extraordinaire Jamie Oldaker, Twang n’ Groove is where Rhythm and Blues meets Reggae at an all day Bluegrass pickin’ party.
Peter Rowan & Crucial Reggae
Peter Rowan’s diversity and sensitivity shine through in this jammin’ reggae configuration. Some of Peter’s most soulful original music comes from these performances. Reggae greats Tony Chin; guitar and Fully Fullwood; bass, when available, add to the excitement of a Crucial Reggae performance. Buyers have the option here of presenting either a five- or six-piece band, or the nine-piece band with the Burning Spear horn section. Whatever the configuration, the audience that hears this concert will dance into the night!
The Free Mexican Airforce
The Free Mexican Airforce is flying again! This is a four-piece band that often features Cindy Cashdollar on pedal steel guitar, in addition to bass and drums. This is Peter Rowan plugged in and includes some of his most loved songs–Come Back to Old Santa Fe, Ride the Wild Mustang, Midnight Moonlight and, of course, Free Mexican Airforce!
“I go for the heights with my voice and melodies; I paint the landscape with my words.”
-Peter Rowan
Peter Rowan was one of the major cult bluegrass artists of the ’80s, winning a devoted, international fan base through his independent records and constant touring. A skilled singer/songwriter, Rowan also yodeled, and played numerous stringed instruments and the saxophone. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts; his parents and many of his relatives were musicians, and it seemed only natural that Rowan too would become one. When he was a teenager, he frequently hung out at the Hillbilly Ranch, where he heard such bluegrass and old-time bands as the Lilly Brothers. He also enjoyed listening to the blues.
Rowan formed the Tex-Mex band the Cupids while he was in high school. The group became a popular New England attraction and independently released a single. After college, he decided to become a professional musician, and in 1963 joined the Cambridge-based Mother Bay State Entertainers as a mandolin player and singer, appearing on their LP The String Band Project. In 1964, after performing with Jim Rooney and Bill Keith, Rowan became a rhythm guitarist and lead singer with Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys. He remained with them through 1967, leaving to join mandolinist David Grisman in the folk-rock band Earth Opera. The group recorded a couple of albums and toured (frequently opening for the Doors) until the early ’70s. One of their albums, The Great Eagle Tragedy (1969) produced a minor hit single, “Home to You.”
While with Monroe and Earth Opera, Rowan began to write and co-write songs, some of which were used in both bands. After leaving Earth Opera, he became a part of Seatrain, a rock-fusion unit whose records were produced by George Martin. Rowan left the band in 1972 to form the Rowan Brothers with siblings Chris and Lorin, and recorded one eponymous album. After the group disbanded, Rowan then recorded ÒOld & In The WayÓ with Grisman, Jerry Garcia, Vassar Clements and John Kahn. In 1974, Rowan, Grisman, Clarence White and Richard Greene formed Muleskinner, a bluegrass band. Muleskinner released one album and then disbanded. He then reunited the Rowan Brothers, who this time played together until the early ’80s. Meanwhile, Rowan also began playing rock and bluegrass with Mexican Airforce, which featured accordion player Flaco Jimenez. In the mid- ’80s, he and Jiminez again reteamed to record Flaco Jiminez and Peter Rowan: Live Rockin’ Tex-Mex. He founded the Nashville-based Wild Stallions in 1983, and throughout the ’80s and ’90s continued to work with a variety of musicians and tour as a solo act. -Sandra Brennan, Pollstar
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