Ronnie Bowman
Starting Over

Review By Steven Stone
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CD Number: SugarHill Records SUG-3933

  The first time my wife heard a song from Starting Over she asked me, "Who is that? He's really great." Ronnie Bowman's voice has a special quality that makes you want sit back and listen. Not just the owner of another pretty voice; Ronnie also writes great songs. "East Virginia Night" from his first solo album was an IBMA (International Bluegrass Musicians Association) song of the year, and "Three Rusty Nails" from his second solo release won both IBMA song of the year and gospel recorded performance of the year. At 41 years old, Bowman most definitely qualifies as a major bluegrass talent.

Background history – Ronnie Bowman's career started in 1989 with the band "Lost and Found" as their lead singer and guitarist. In 1990 he joined "The Lonesome River Band" on bass guitar. During the next ten years he and Dan Tyminski, Lonesome River Band's guitarist, developed a powerful and influential dual lead vocal style. In 2001 Bowman left the band and moved to Nashville. Starting Over, his third solo release, begins a new chapter in his musical career.

With only one original composition on the whole CD, Starting Over is a singers' album. Every song features Bowman's ability to make a song, any song, very much his own. Whether a mid-tempo narrative such as Dan Tyminski's "What She Didn't Say" or a plaintive ballad like Craig Market's "Rise Above" Bowman delivers every song on a silver plate.

To accompany him, Ronnie Bowman assembled a worthy supporting cast. Tim Stafford, Craig Market, Mark Casstevens, and Tony Rice contribute guitar parts, Dan Tyminski plays mandolin, Aubrey Haynie and Ron Stewart handle fiddle, Jerry Douglas adds dobro, and Barry Bales plays bass. A heavenly choir of harmonizers including Dan Tyminski, Craig Market, Garnet Imes, Steve Gulley, and Michael Hunt, join Bowman to form some of the tightest and euphonic three-part bluegrass harmonies you'll ever hear.

The production values on Starting Over are as first class as the musical talent. Recording engineers Tim Austin, Scotty Bolen, and Mike Bradley obviously know their way around acoustic instruments. The sound on every cut has a lush natural ambience that is both immediate and very inviting. Starting Over should establish Ronnie Bowman as one of a small elite group of vocalists whose work transcends the small world of bluegrass.

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