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The people of the train.
Picture credit: Mark MacKillop
In Memoriam / Ronnie Bowman (1961 - 2026)
Ronnie Bowman (July 9, 1961 – March 22, 2026) was an American singer and composer of bluegrass music. Besides his solo albums, he was known for his work with the Lonesome River Band. From 1990 until 2001, Bowman was the vocalist and bass player in the Lonesome River Band, with bandmates Sammy Shelor, Dan Tyminski, and Tim Austin. Their 1991 album Carrying the Tradition was named the IBMA 1991…
Singer, Songwriter, Producer and Lonesome River Band Co-founder Ronnie Bowman Killed in Motorcycle Crash
- “One of the best entertainers in bluegrass and country music,” Billy Strings says
Lonesome River Band co-founder Ronnie Bowman, who worked with many of bluegrass’ biggest names and wrote a slew of country songs, has died at 64.
Bowman died March 22 following a motorcycle accident the day before in Tennessee, Bluegrass Today reported.
He was “an amazing singer and songwriter,” Billy Strings said in eulogizing Bowman. “One of the best entertainers in bluegrass and country music.”
Bowman spent more than a decade in the Lonesome River Band, whose members said they were “grateful for Ronnie’s contributions … throughout the years.” During his time in the group, Bowman enjoyed a simultaneous solo career that found him working with members of Alison Krauss and Union Station and musicians who would form the core of the Infamous Stringdusters.
“He was a joy to know,” Krauss said of Bowman.
“He made you feel like you were awesome, and that’s a sweet talent on its own,” the ’Dusters’ Jeremy Garrett said of Bowman. “I was such a huge fan of his and playing in his band was truly a dream come true for me.”
Bowman made five solo albums; collaborated with Del McCoury, Sierra Hull, John Fogerty and others; produced two Steep Canyon Rangers LPs; and saw Chris Stapleton, Ralph Stanley, Brooks & Dunn and others record his songs.
Hull eulogized Bowman as her “friend and hero,” while the Rangers called him “one of the true legends and good guys of the bluegrass world.”
“There’s no way to put into words the tremendous loss we are feeling over our brother Ronnie Bowman,” the Travelin’ McCourys said.
“He was not just our dear sweet friend for many, many years but a genuine member of our family. … We will always love you, Brother.”
3/23/26
Song Review(s): Billy Strings - “John Deere Tractor,” “Put My Little Shoes Away” and “Mother’s Not Dead, She’s Only Sleeping” (Live, March 2, 2025)
In a case of setting impacting music, Billy Strings said this to the audience gathered March 2 at the Ryman:
“We’re gonna strip it down a little bit tonight and play a little bluegrass and stuff for ya.”
The comment came between “John Deere Tractor” and “Put My Little Shoes Away” and Strings wasn’t kidding. Sans effects, long jams, filters, pedals and the like, the guitarist and his band - Jarrod Walker, Royal Masat, Billy Failing and Alex Hargreaves - relied only on unadorned guitar, mando, bass fiddle, banjo, fiddle-fiddle and guest Ronnie Bowman on “Mother’s Not Dead, She’s Only Sleeping,” to make music worthy of the Mother Church’s hallowed stage.
The livestream sampler from his winter-tour finale was Strings digging down to his roots, playing the music he learned as a youngster and transplanting it into the modern bluegrass garden. It was harmony and melody and richness and imperfection and perfection and homage and originality and gratitude and confidence and humility rolled into another something that explains why Strings is both a part of a tradition dating to Bill Monroe and an incipient tradition linked to Strings.
Grade card: Billy Strings - “John Deere Tractor,” “Put My Little Shoes Away” and “Mother’s Not Dead, She’s Only Sleeping” (Live - 3/2/25) - A/A/A
3/3/25
Ronnie Bowman with Chris Stapleton performing “Here I Am”, the Americana version of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy For The Devil”. _________________________ Here I Am Songwriters: Ronnie Bowman and Shawn Lane
If I don't drink rye whiskey, rye whiskey I'll die.
Tennessee Blues - Garnet Bowman
Seriously one of the best songs ever written. Garnet does it justice.
If I had my way/ I'd leave here today/ I'd leave in a hurry
The Lost and Found bluegrass group have always put on solid shows and records as well. This vinyl release came out in 1989 and featured some lead singing by Ronnie Bowman who would go on to be the bass player for the Lonesome River Band. Ronnie also put out this song on his 1994 release "Cold Virginia Night" which to me was a KILLER album, if you don't have that one you need to pick it up.
Back to the Lost and Found. I've seen them many times over the years and can't put my finger on why they never got to be one of the very top named bluegrass groups. They seem to make the musicians conform to a certain sound they go for. I remember Ronald Smith playing banjo with New Classic Grass years ago and his playing seemed to change when he started playing with them.
See if you can pick up a copy of this one at your local record store.
