Press Release
May 28, 2009
For immediate release
Contact:  Bob Bowman (207) 244-7429 or music@potterslake.net

Bob Bowman, 54, has played guitar since he was 10 years old.  After a long and very interesting life on the sea working as a boat builder and ferry captain, and traveling around the world as a whale researcher and rescuer, Bowman recently picked up his guitar and hit the road.  He is performing somewhere in eastern Maine most nights of the week - since April playing every Tuesday and Wednesday at McKays Public House in Bar Harbor, and weekends at Solos Coffee House and Fine Dining in Calais.  This summer he will also be performing in New Brunswick.

Bowman plays solo fingerstyle guitar reminiscent ‘60’s British Isles musicians like Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, and Davy Graham, with influences from a diverse lot of American guitarists such as John Fahey, Guy Van Duser, and Eric Schoenberg.  He performs intricate arrangements of fiddle and Irish harp music from the past 300 years interspersed with familiar jazz and pop standards, tunes by friends, and his own original music composed over the past 35 years.
In the 1970’s and 80’s Bowman was known for his banjo, mandolin, and guitar work with various folksingers, contra dance bands, and with the Mount Desert Island-based Celtic group, Kitchen Junket.  As a soloist he composed several soundtracks for documentary films.  Born in Ohio, Bowman mostly grew up on Islesford (Little Cranberry Island), and for the past 28 years, when not at sea, has lived in a barely restored 150 year old cabin in Somesville.  He and his wife, Cate, a teacher, now live half-time in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

During the past two decades Bowman never stopped playing, but rarely performed.  So, to many local music fans it’s as if this guitar man with the big white beard has dropped in from nowhere.  It’s partly a matter of context.  Bowman is well known locally and internationally for his whale research and conservation work.   He is a former director of field research at College of the Atlantic’s marine mammal research lab, Allied Whale; and more recently was the coordinator of the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network.  Between sets at a recent performance in Bar Harbor, he was approached by an older gentleman.  “You seem very familiar,” said the man.  “Oh," replied Bowman, "I used to be ‘The Whale Guy’, perhaps that's it; but tonight I’m ‘The Guitar Guy’.”  “Yes you are,” recognized the man.

For Bowman, finding places to perform in the Maine off-season has been enjoyable.  His melodic solo guitar style is well-suited to accompany fine-dining.  He doesn't put on a show – he just plays music.  And while restaurants that were not originally designed for live music sometimes face issues from poor acoustics to a lack of space, Bowman offers simple solutions.  He walks in the door with everything he needs, including a small, discreet, high-quality sound system if required, and is playing in minutes.  “I’m just one guy sitting on a stool, I don’t make a lot of noise, and I’m pretty well-behaved.  I understand that the quality of my sound and presentation not only reflect on me, but on the places I perform.  I take that very seriously and venue owners appreciate it,” he said.  In early April he had his first audition in more than 20 years.  He arrived at 3:00, played one tune, and was hired on the spot for that very night – he’s been there ever since.

He doesn't know where this will lead, but it’s a happy exploration.  He’s available for restaurant bookings and would like to play more gallery openings, receptions, weddings, and perhaps some festivals.  “My job is simply to create an interesting and pleasant atmosphere while, hopefully, attracting customers for the businesses that hire me," said Bowman.  He continued, "I play because I love to play, I love the music, and I need to make a living.  Since I was very young I’ve always admired the guitar player sitting on a stool in the corner of the restaurant playing great instrumental music night after night.  For now, luckily enough, that’s me.  I’m grateful to be playing the music that means the most to me in some wonderful rooms, and I’m pleased that people are enjoying it.  What teenage boy hasn’t dreamt of being a professional guitar player touring around the countryside in a tricked out van?  Mine’s a 20 year old Ford, and I’m living my dream.”

Bob Bowman is available for both public and private engagements in Maine and New Brunswick.
He can be reached at (207) 244-7429, or at music@potterslake.net.
Go to www.potterslake.net/music for more information, images, and downloadable music.

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