My first and foremost influence is my father; "Little Donnie Bowshier" ..... now other influences include; Garth Brooks, Montgomery Gentry, Brook & Dunn, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney.
Here's an early picture of my dad, "Little Donnie Bowshier" and the original "Stonehart Band." Thanks Mystic (Jennifer) for sharing!
Born and raised in Springfield, Ohio to Donnie & Ann Bowshier, Gene came from a big family of five brothers and four sisters. After graduating high school Gene took a job working in the automotive industry for Honda of America building cars and marrying his high school sweetheart Jennifer. Today Gene and Jennifer are the proud parents of four children that they raise in the Springfield area, where they call home.
Gene has been around country music his whole life, being inspired by his father (best known as "Little Donnie Bowshier") who back in the late 50's wrote a couple songs to chart on country music radio, "Stoneheart" and "I Love You Baby." The song "Stoneheart" is what he is best remembered for writing. Gene remembers his fathers legacy as a man that at the age of two was afflicted with polio and was to never walk again. Seeing how his father dealt with his handicap that he suffered, striving to put that aside and become a great singer and songwriter inspired Gene. "I never looked at my father as a handicap, I didn't see his wheel chair when I looked at him. What I saw was my hero, a man that I wanted to be when I grew up." When Gene was very young, his father used to take him to his shows, of course having five brothers, they would have to take turns. At age nine, Gene would go to night clubs taking it all in, watching his father entertain and show off his god given talents. "This is when I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up!" Unfortunately, Gene's father passed away in 2002. "He may be gone, but his legacy will live on forever."
"Most people don't believe me, when I tell them I was very shy at a younger age," because of his his high energy shows today. Considering himself not only shy but very awkward, staying home most of the time until he was sixteen, then all of a sudden he came out of his shell and lost his shyness. While out with some friends, they encouraged Gene to get up and sing, and the response he recieved reminded him of how people responded to his father. That same feeling keeps Gene performing still today!
Gene formed his own band "The Stoneharts" (In memory of his father) that has created much attention among fans, packing clubs and venues everywhere they play. They have had the opportunity to open for such acts as; Blake Shelton, Jessica Andrews, Pam Tillis to name a few, along with singing on stage with the lead singer of Yankee Grey and country music legend David Frizzell. Besides Gene's father being one of his biggest influences, other major influences include; Montgomery Gentry, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Gene through his management and producer was able to record a song "Thank You" (To The American Soldier) with former Statler Brother and Hall of Fame member Jimmy Fortune, which was picked up by "Troop Talk Radio" where he participated in a very special show where he and other national artist such as Montgomery Gentry talked to our soldiers on the ground in Iraq to thank them and wish them holiday wishes. There is current plans to use this song in an effort to raise much needed awareness and funds for our Veterans. More to be released soon.
Gene also appeared on a national compilation that featured his song "Good Year for the Outlaw" with the likes of legendary and current national artists Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, Montgomery Gentry and others with distribution through Universal to Walmart, K-mart and BestBuy. This was quite an accomplishment considering he is unsigned to a major label.
Gene is a powerhouse entertainer that even set a record for a new artist at the venue in Blue Ash, Ohio when he appeared with Billy Currington. According to Chuck Funk (Exec. Director for Parks & Recreation), he said it was the first time in his tenure to witness such a turn out for a meet & greet with an opening act! Even Richard Lustig the national talent buyer for the venue expressed the same sentiments that a virtually unknown artist could attract such a huge crowd.
The future is looking bright for 2009 as Gene will be heading back to Nashville with his management to record and work on some new projects!
Good Thursday afternoon, I sure hope that this day, has been Good to you..and you will have one great afternoon.and the upcoming Weekend will be just has great. Sorry I have not been on much be so glad when all the holidays is over so it can get back to normal. And things can Settel down.But I sure hope that you have been enjoying all your holidays and your getting all your shopping done, I haven't even started am going to be sorry lol. Have a great Night hugs and kisses to you my friend..Always a friend Sassie
THANK U...had to go look at ur profile to see ur new music sessions and hey well be listening to ur sounds ..and give some out for christmas...peace be with u this holiday season...GOD KEEP U SAFE AND BLESSED..
hey gene, im just stopping by to say hello and to say that i miss you so much. i hope things are going good for you. i still listen to your music everyday so i can hear your voice. well hey i hope to see you soon. luv ya gene... hugs and kisses from chris ann....
hello gene. hope everything is going well.im doing ok. i sure do miss you and hope to see you soon. its been a crazy month so far. jacy decided to cut his pinky finger off right down the middle at menards. but hes doing ok which is good. well hey i hope to make it to a show soon. hugs and kissed from chris ann
This Okie girl wanted to stop By and say good morning to You. I sure hope that your up. And looking foreword to this day, And you have a smile on that handsome Face for yours.Have one of your best Days ever,God Bless you and yours. Hugs and kisses to you my friend. Always a friend. Sassie
Good morning to you..hope that your up And your having a great cup of coffee. And looking foreword to your week end. Its Friday the thirteenth,but I wish you No bad luck on this day, and any day That follows.Have a awesome week end.. Sing and dance and have a little romance. Hugs and kisses to you, GOD Bless you And yours..always a friend Sassie
Good afternoon to you my awesome friend. I sure hope that your having a great day. And your week has been just has great. Hugs and kisses to you, always a friend Sassie Happy Veteran's day,lets never forget our troops.
Good morning sorry I have not been here Leaving you, your comments I had to go back into HOS. To have More Polyps in my throat lazed off. GOD sure has been there for Me.. I hope that your week end got off to one hell Of a start and its going to be a great one for you. Hugs and kisses to you .. Always a friend.SASSIE
Good morning to you my wonderful friend.I sure hope that you had one great night,And your week has been a very good one. I want you to have one fun and safe Halloween week end, get lots of sweet treats, even if there not has sweet has you.Have one great Thursday, Hugs and sweet Candy kisses to you from me. Always a friend Sassie
hello gene. how are ya. i just wanted to stop by and say hello and to say that i miss ya and hopefully i get to see you soon. hugs and kissed from chris....
Good morning I sure hope that this morning has started out to be one beautiful Day. And your night will be a very fun and Spooky night, don't let the Ghost get you, And take all the kisses from the witches you can get,for there kisses can be as sweet as candy, and a lot more fun. HA,HA, Trick-or-treat to you my friend. Hugs and kisses to you from this witch, Always a friend Sassie
