How was Westfest?
Bowen: Westfest was amazing. I had a lot of family there. Obviously, it was a hometown show for me. It was so much fun. The [crowd] hung in there and were rowdy and wild and we had a great time.
You’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of your second album, which got rave reviews. What do you think made that album so good?
Bowen: I think that album really represents me as an artist. I was struggling in the early days of trying to make it all make sense and figure out my music. That record took me three years to make because I was broke and trying to figure it all out. I’d spend a little and be broke again. Record a little and be broke again. That all combined with trying to prove myself as a writer and as an artist to people and to the world. I’d made records before “Lost Hotel,” but that one really set the tone and got my career launched and started. I don’t know if it’s my favorite record ever, but it’s definitely 1A or 1B as far as the one that means the most to me. I think it’s because of all of those reasons. It really got everything started.
What’s going to be on the anniversary re-release of the album?
Bowen: Because we recorded so much, we found nine extra studio tracks. There’s probably a reason they didn’t make the record, but I don’t care. I’m putting them on there anyway because I believe in just kind of showing it. To me, this has become a time capsule. I didn’t re-sing anything. I didn’t touch it. I just brushed the dust off of those songs and threw them on there. There were also some acoustic versions of those songs on the hard drive as well. And then we have some live tracks that are more modern versions with the band. All of that combined, there’s 30 songs total in this deluxe anniversary package.
Your new album, “The Version of Me You Get,” was recorded during a challenging time in your life and career. How did those circumstances help shape the album?
Bowen: For one, 2020 kind of shaped us all, right? It was a rough time for all of us. I also had my own personal problems. I lost my nephew, who was also a crew member, and had my vocal problems. All of that combined, I was trying to find a way to write about it all. I think with this record, we didn’t really plan anything. We just kind of holed up in the studio and figured it out as we went — and wrote songs as we went. We played every instrument and built every song instrument by instrument, one at a time. I’ve never done a record like that and haven’t done one since. It’s just an incredible way to do things and something that I’d never done before. I think that’s why you get this version of this record. It really hit home for me. It’s something that hopefully anyone that’s listening to this will hear a different version of Wade Bowen [slightly] and hopefully enjoy it.
How did the golf tournament and concert do this year?
Goss: Oh, my goodness. It was our best one yet. Before the event this weekend, we were at about $8.1 million for the foundation that we have raised since we’ve been a 501 C 3 and this event put us just shy of $10 million, which was incredible. So we did well over $1 million, and we’re still counting. We’re very, very excited.
Why is the Bowen Family Foundation important to you and your family?
Goss: We were raised to give back. It’s simple as that. Our dad did a lot when we were growing up for the Salvation Army. We would always adopt families at Christmas time. All we know is doing volunteer work and giving to those in need and we were able to use music with Wade’s success and his career to be an outlet to do that. Bring us all together with music and raise money and give back to Waco where we grew up. It’s really special for us to be able to give back to the community, especially running into people that have said, ‘Oh, my goodness, you helped my daughter who’s a new teacher get school supplies.’ We used to be really involved with the Boys and Girls Club, even though they’re no longer the Boys and Girls club. We did a ton for them; pretty much helped keep their doors open for years. It’s just special to be able to have that impact on the community that we live in.
Bowen: I was raised by my mom and dad (Glenda and Jim Bowen) who still to this day give more than they take. That’s very important to us. It’s important to our family. It’s the way we were raised: The importance of giving back. The importance of family and friends. Treating people with kindness and love. We had great examples and still do to this day from my parents. We’re very lucky to have that. That’s why we named it the Bowen Family Foundation and not the Wade Bowen Family Foundation. It’s important to know that our entire family really tries hard to give back and to be good people in the community and within our friendships and families. This foundation is important to us for all of those reasons. Being able to work with many, many different organizations every single year and not just have to work with one is something we take a lot of pride in. Being able to help as many as possible, those out there in the trenches doing the real work, we’re glad to raise the money to give them the ability to go do their jobs.
When Wade Bowen released his second album, “Lost Hotel,” on February 21, 2006, the reviews were overwhelmingly positive:
“This album is perfect.”
“Absolute brilliance.”
“Lyrically spectacular.”
Bowen, a Red Dirt country artist and Waco native, had a busy September. He played the closing night at the 50th annual Westfest; released his latest record, “The Version Of Me You Get”; and hosted the annual Bowen Invitational golf tournament and concert benefitting the Bowen Family Foundation. He’s the president of the foundation and his sister, Jill Goss, is the vice president. Goss and her husband Cameron bought Bowen Electric, the family business, from Jill and Wade’s father, Jim Bowen, in 2015. And a 20th anniversary edition of “Lost Hotel” will be released next month.
