You can
teach a child how to ride a bike and hope that someday he wins the Tour De
France. You can show a teenager to throw
a perfect spiral to help him achieve his dreams of winning a Super Bowl. You can even train a young pianist flawless technique
when they aspire to one day become part of the American Symphony Orchestra. However,
there are some things you just cannot teach; such as talent, drive,
perseverance and most importantly…passion.
This makes Wade Bowen one unique son of a bitch.
Many years
ago one of our writers (here at LoneStar Outlaw) was having a birthday
celebration at the Firehouse Saloon, and Wade Bowen happened to be the
performer. Besides the group of them
that were there to celebrate a friend’s birthday…there were approximately three
other people in the crowd, including a child up way past its bedtime. Wade had his usual great performance and was
even kind enough to wish our writer Happy Birthday over the microphone. Fast forward to a few nights ago: a sold out
show with a line down the street (just to get in the door), fans chanting his
name, and the look and feel of a big time performer about to hit the
stage. It was then that we remembered…this
was exactly the same guy. The same guy whose debut album we found on a value
rack at a used CD shop…is now giving interviews across this great Nation. The
same guy who used to be the opening act at festivals…is now headlining
them. The same guy who put his heart
and soul into that show at the Firehouse for less than a dozen or so fans…puts exactly
the same effort forth with a full house cheering. These are things you cannot teach.
The songs
have always been there. Go back to his
debut album, Try Not to Listen, and point out a bad song. Didn’t think so. And we’d really love to hear the argument
that you could find something not worth your time on his subsequent albums,
Lost Hotel and If We Ever Make it Home.
The point is Wade has always been an incredibly gifted craftsman of words;
it is actually a shame that a gem like him is only just now getting his voice
out to a bigger platform. The live
albums, Blue Light Live and Live at Billy Bob’s, only further validate his
all-around repertoire of not only being an excellent singer/songwriter, but help
to convey the deep emotions that go into his songs. (Editor’s note: About damn time they gave you the Billy Bob’s
album.)
His live
shows are great. Remembering his shows
of yesterday and seeing him more recently remind us of seeing a young man sent
off to boarding school. When the boy leaves he might look a certain way, dress and/or act a certain way, but upon
his arrival back home…you notice changes.
Maybe he dresses better, is in better shape, and looks sharper all the
way around. This is not to say Wade
needed any changes, but he carries himself as if he belongs among the upper
echelon of the Texas/Red Dirt scene. And
with good reason, because he does belong there; and his stature is only
growing.
Wade
Bowen has been one of our favorites for many years now, both in and out of Texas Texas
WADE BOWEN ~ LIVE @ BIG TEXAS (SPRING)
MARCH 30TH, 2012
SETLIST
To check out the rest of the images from this show, check out our Facebook page.
For a copy of the complete/full setlist, email us at: lonestaroutlawreview@gmail.com
AWESOME ARTICLE, LoneStar! Makes us want to meet Bowen personally. But in the meantime, we'll just keep cheering for him from the floor! And we'll keep waiting for more LoneStar Reviews, too.You guys have what it takes. EVERYONE is waiting for the next read.
ReplyDeleteHey LONESTAR! We LOVE the photos of Wade. Up close and personal, catching him at his fine moments, and giving us a glimpse of his stardom. THANK YOU, LONESTAR OUTLAW REVIEW.
ReplyDelete