Django Reinhardt, Tony Rice, Oscar Aleman, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Norman Blake, Charlie Christian, Martin Taylor, Borelli LeGrene, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Jerry Reed, Julian Bream, John Williams, Christopher Parkening, David Russell, John Hartford, Kate Rusby, Wil Maring, Maura O'Connell, Paul Brady, The Bothy Band, Jascha Heifitz, Itzhak Perlman, Grady Martin, George Barnes, Joe Pass, Johnny Smith, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ennio Morricone, Albert Collins, BB King, Doc Watson
Above: Robert playing fiddle with Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys
Above: Robert playing guitar with Jeannie Kendall ("Heaven's Just a Sin Away")
Above: Robert with Hank Thompson
Above: Brad Davis, Wil Maring, and Robert (on mandolin)
Above: Robert with Wil Maring on the Grand Ole Opry
Sounds Like
Mostly sounds like Robert Bowlin, but could compare to: David Grier, Tony Rice, Tommy Emmanuel, Pete Hutlinger, Jim Hurst, Martin Taylor, Django Reinhardt
Robert Bowlin started at age 1 and a half playing the ukelele, graduated to his dad's guitar at age 5, and has been creating unique and beautiful guitar music ever since. He won the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship in Winfield, KS in 1979 and got 2nd in the Flatpicking Guitar Contest in 1978. His professional career has included stints with artists such as Maura O' Connell, Kathy Mattea, Tom T. Hall, the Osborne Brothers, Bill Monroe, Ray Price, Bobby Bare, Faron Young, Ricky Van Shelton. He was a session guitarist and fiddler in Nashville for countless recordings. He has played onstage with artists such as BB King and Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, and Vassar Clements. He has performed his original music on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
He has a new cd of solo guitar instrumentals entitled "Six String Soliloquy". Here is what experts have to say:
"This recording is wonderful! It's mostly original instrumentals, a few traditional tunes and a Stephen Foster medley.Robert has a real gift for melody. You hear the original tunes and you feel like you've heard them before (but you haven't). When he plays a standard, like "Whisky Before Breakfast," he really makes it his own. His solo style doesn't sound like anyone elses. Robert blends Bluegrass, Jazz and other influences in a way that sounds natural and unforced. I would describe his phrasing as vocal. Many guitarists sound mechanical. He's just the opposite, milking every phrase for maximum feeling. And the tone he gets out of his 1930 Larson is just beautiful. He's not afraid of space and never adds unecessary notes that get in the way of hearing the melody. There are lots of guitarists these days who have great technique and can generate excitement with hot picking. Robert can certainly do the same. But there are few who work with the full range of emotion that is possible in music. These are medium and slow paced solos intended to move the listener. Though they'll appeal to any guitar playing person with an ear, they'll also appeal to others who don't care what kind of guitar he plays or whether or not he uses a custom made bevelled pick. Do you have a spouse who's tired of hearing your flatpicking CDs? Get this one and you'll both enjoy it!This is really one of the finest guitar recordings I've heard in years. It's only fault is that it's too short. I could listen to Roberts picking all day."
- Dan Mozell
"His playing is really incredible - tasteful,passionate, and unique. He is a virtuoso flatpicker who is well-versed inmany styles. It's incredible that he's known primarily as a fiddler, havingbeen Monroe's "last" fiddle player.I recently judged him in a contest (Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesboro,TN - www.uncledavemacondays.com), and he played an absolutely jaw-dropping"Waltz for Django" on that old Larson. Tone from now on!"
- Boge Quinn
heyyy right its cuz i have grown up since i seen ya last lol how ya been? things have been okay here.. had a rough fathers day.. first one with out havin a dad.. depressin.. how's the job treatin ya? yeah man i'll text ya some time! oops, almost forgot to tell yah, this weekend was so much, par-tay! finally, i got some extra cash coming in, i started doing this things online where i just give my opinion on diff things, and i get paid for it. its like stupid easy. like, the last one i took, wanted to know which brand of batteries i prefer to use. like seriously, stupid easy! you should def try it out. you'll havef to type this link into internet explorer or firefox ... take care =]
So glad to have you as a friend! I pray my music blesses you. Please stop by my page and sign my guestbook. Feel free to visit often and keep in touch! In His praise, Yvonne "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to God while I have my being." Psalm 146: 1-2
heyyy right its cuz i have grown up since i seen ya last lol how ya been? things have been okay here.. had a rough fathers day.. first one with out havin a dad.. depressin.. how's the job treatin ya? yeah man i'll text ya some time! oops, almost forgot to tell yah, this weekend was so much, par-tay! finally, i got some extra cash coming in, i started doing this things online where i just give my opinion on diff things, and i get paid for it. its like stupid easy. like, the last one i took, wanted to know which brand of batteries i prefer to use. like seriously, stupid easy! you should def try it out. you'll havef to type this link into internet explorer or firefox ... take care =]
Thanks for adding me Robert. I have watched your videos many times and I think you are one helluva guitar, mandolin and violin player. I love the style of your playing and I am a big fan of bluegrass. I guess I'll keep practicing on my guitar and someday maybe I will be half as talented as you are!!
Thank you very much for befriending us! We have found your wonderful music with the help of Flatpicker! It is such a delight to listen to your beautiful playing!
Robert it was so nice meeting you yesturday from Wil Maring. Your both a great pair on stage and so funny to boot. Your a very talented musician. Really enjoyed watching both of you perform on stage. Anytime you and Wil Maring are welcomed to come stay at my house out here on ole Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, TN. You both are such a hoot..and I really luv Wil she is a sweetheart of a gal. Sounds like you both take care of each other on the road and that is so great to know.
Hey Robert, Just wanted to say hi and see how things are going for you.it's been awhile sence i've been on here.hope things are going great for you.have a blessed day.
Hey Robert Great guitar playing. Hoping you enjoyed a good Easter. I just stopped in to say hello. If you get a chance stop by our site and enjoy the sample tracks from our new project. Please leave us some comments on the tracks you enjoyed most! Stop back in any time. Our new CD entitled (Reflection) will be released shortly and will be available online as well as in hard copy.
Dang, so now I read the profile... I love Whiskey before Breakfast and I'd love to hear any stories about Peter Rowan or Vassar Clements... How about the Dirt band?
I enjoyed seeing you and Wil play at Old Town School in Chicago earlier this week... it is pretty amazing to watch you play! I enjoyed all of your songs...
Well, I'm not much of a guitar-player but I hope you like my songs, too! best, Sue
Are you like me? <a href="http://www.rockyou.com/events/track.php?event=ms-lk-c-q1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockyou.com%2Flikeness%2Fquiz.php%3Fq%3D1">Take my "Just for fun!" Quiz to find out!</a>
Robert, hope the rest of your trip (drive to Memphis) is going smoothly... and that the Biofreeze and chocolate chip cookies made the drive more tolerable. What a fabulous and fun weekend! I will always remember the wonderful music (and friendship) you and Wil brought to my home. Your guitar playing is no doubt the best I've ever heard... Sunday night, sitting and listening to you all pickin' away (you and Orrin are both incredible pickers) was a real highlight. I hope we can do it again sometime. Enjoy Folk Alliance, and stay well.
Hey, Robert! Thanks for the add. Saw you with Wil in Milledgeville, and your guitar playing just knocked my socks off! I was so glad you played something in Django's style ... it's hard to come by folks nowadays who know how to play like that or have even heard of Django Reinhardt. I lucked out recently in this respect: the lead guitarist in my "kinda band" (we're kinda having trouble getting it together) is a jazz man and loves Django. (On my site, you can hear him playing lead on the song "Coochee Creek.") Did you really play with Bill Monroe? Come on ... don't pull my leg! :)
Robert I can't tell you enough how much I love your playing. I have been listening to you, and Wil for a while now, you guys are great together,and no matter what you play you are,Just that GREAT !
