Kevin McGowan - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Joe Beggy - Guitar
Jon Schneider - Keys and everything that goes with them
Ron Nash - Lead Guitar
Craig Schiavone - Drums and Percussion
Gordon Wells - Pedal Steel
Influences
The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Bread, David Gates, Mike Botts, James Griffin, Larry Knechtel, Sting, Don Henley, James Taylor, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Brian Vander Ark, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John, Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin, The Who, Toby Keith, Clint Black, Brad Paisley, John Mayer, Jim Long, Michael Patrick, Alan Jackson, Daryl Worley, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, AKUS, Dan Fogelberg, Lefty Lucy, all types of Irish Music
For Kevin McGowan, music follows the natural flow of his life. This longtime commitment is revealed in his two full-length CD releases, When I was a Young Man and Our Life. From the crisp downbeat that introduces the bubbly lead-off track "Neurotic," from "When I Was a Young Man," to the last lingering strains of "The Love That I Live," from "Our Life," McGowan's clarion tenor voice, surrounded by crystalline guitars, violin, pedal steel and choruses of shimmering harmonies (performed by McGowan), eloquently renders evocative, captivating narratives of heart, soul and sound.
As a songwriter, Kevin breathes life into his characters. "The title cut, 'When I was a Young Man,' is not my story," he explains. "It's an observation on families -- not my family -- and how hard it is to break the chain of dysfunction through the generations." Similarly, "Wanna Be a Good Man" depicts the rigors of a truck driver's life, but Kevin doesn't drive a big rig. "My wife does all the heavy lifting," he laughs. The title cut from "Our Life," is autobiographical. It is a reflective look at the journey through life so far and a hopeful positive look towards the future. It is dedicated to the "sandwich generation,” the people who have raised children and taken care of aging parents at the same time.
One other song of note is “You Won’t Be Forgotten,” a haunting and determined tribute to the heroes of 9/11/01.
The Bronx-born McGowan's first foray into music was in his teens with a band called Liquid Motion, a group of some repute in the New York area. Later on, the part of Pharaoh in a college production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” followed. “Playing in the orchestra and then dressing and performing as an Elvis impersonator was more fun than I ever imagined it could be,” recalls Kevin. Then, as it is said, life happened, but the music was never far away. Throughout the years he played in local bands in Central Jersey where he moved after getting married.
States McGowan, "Every time in my life when I found time to restart the music, life reared its ugly head. At this stage of my life, with the help and support of family and friends, I have been able to maintain a certain level and at times kick it up a notch.” Most significantly, for a songwriter with a durable history, he is much more in tune with the future; new paths, new music, new songs.
Your set last night at Slowdown was brilliant! I'm glad to have been of help. If your free join me at Green Planet on Aug 9th and/or Starbucks in Warren on the 15th.
Thanks for finding me here in MySpace-land and for sharing your music with me. Keep rockin' and remember that Life Without Music Would Be A Mistake! :-)
Hi Kevin: Thanks, and it was great seeing and hearing you at Caimbridge as well. I love the new song - the guitar intro and chorus are still in my head! All the best, Bob
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