Following his recent collaborations with Randy Rogers (duets album Hold My Beer Vol. 1 and the live release Watch This), Wade Bowen will be joining forces with another respected singer/songwriter from the Lone Star State, Willy Braun of Reckless Kelly, to bring their hard-edged country sound to the United Kingdom.
The tour featuring these two ‘big-hitters’ who proudly exist outside the mainstream begins at the Borderline in London on November 10 and runs for a total of nine dates, finishing up in Glasgow on November 18.
I believe there is a real appreciation in Britain for the less commercial style of country and began by asking the hardworking entertainer (he’s currently writing songs for two new records) to tell me if he felt that was the case. “I have heard that the audiences there are amazing, attentive and appreciative,” he replied. “I can’t wait to see for myself.”
Asked for his thoughts on whether there’s a bit of a traditional country revival happening at the present time, Bowen mused: “To be honest I don’t listen to a lot of country radio, but I’m excited about things like my friend Chris Stapleton exploding in popularity.
“I sure hope there’s a traditional revival happening, then maybe I’ll start listening more. My friend Cody Johnson is a true cowboy from Texas and his independent record just came out and sold a ton.”
Would Bowen like to emulate Aaron Watson’s success and have a number one album on the country charts (Watson’s most recent effort, The Underdog, hit the top spot amid much fanfare in 2015)? “Of course it’d be nice, but I don’t really think about it that much,” he insisted. “I just try to put together albums that paint honest pictures of where I am in life.”
“The new record I’m recording when I get back from the U.K., with Keith Gattis producing,” he revealed. “Then Randy and I are going back in the studio in January to make another record together.”
For more on Wade Bowen and to check on tour dates, visit his official website.
