The video for Wade Bowen‘s “A Guitar, A Singer And A Song” is out, featuring Vince Gill, and tributing numerous other country artists as well. Bowen grew up with a deep love of country music, and a lot of respect for Gill, which is why the collaboration feels full circle for him.
“I can’t say enough great things about him,” Bowen boasts to CMT. “Not only about his talent, but as a person. He is just very open to younger artists. When you say, ‘You really believe in this? What do you think?,’ he kind of jumps on and believes it too. His songwriting and the way he sings is so passionate, so intense, and believable.
“He has such an incredible sense of humor to go with it, and I love that,” Bowen adds. “He’s a special kind of person.”
Bowen had already finished writing “A Guitar, A Singer And A Song,” which he penned with hit tunesmith Lori McKenna, when he reached out to Gill about joining him on the track, never imagining that the Country Music Hall of Fame member would even respond, let alone agree to sing with him.
“I kind of had this song done, and then I thought of the idea of having him come and sing on it,” Bowen recalls. “It was kind of a shot in the dark. I was like, ‘Take a listen and tell me what you think. You’re one of the biggest inspirations behind this song. Hopefully, you hear that.’ He agreed to be a part of it. It was just a magical experience all around and still is.”
Bowen has had a deep appreciation of country music from an early age, which is why the video honors iconic artists like Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark and many more.
“I grew up with sisters and a mom who really loved country music,” the Texas native recounts. “My entire ’80s and ’90s were filled with them dragging me around to concerts. They took me to see Alabama and George Strai. Then in the ’90s, it was a lot of Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, and of course Vince Gill.”
Bowen wrote “A Guitar, A Singer And A Song” as a reflection on his lengthy career, and his hopes for his future, as one of country music’s respected singer-songwriters.
“I tried really hard with this song to show the good and the bad of what we do, and why we do it… At the end of the day, when I lay my head down, it’s just me, my guitar, the songs I write, and the songs I sing,” Bowen says. “That’s really all it comes down to, and no matter how long or short your career is, that’s what you’re gonna end up with. I thought to myself, ‘man, I hope that I do enough in my career, however long it may be – I hope I do enough where people don’t forget me.”
“A Guitar, A Singer And A Song” is one of a dozen tracks on Bowen’s latest Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth album, released in August. Find “A Guitar, A Singer And A Song,” and all of Bowen’s music by visiting his website.