Singer/songwriter/guitarist John Lowell’s new recording, She’s Leaving Cheyenne, presents 12 Western-themed songs – which is nothing new for this accomplished musician.
“I’ve lived in the West since I was three months old,” said Lowell, from his Livingston home. “Like I say on the album package – I have a love affair with the American West – its history, its topography, its culture and its people.”
Lowell has spent years as a well-respected touring and recording musician in the Bluegrass and Americana genres. No matter what it’s called, he’s been writing songs about people he’s met or read about and places he’s been for decades. His trio (the Growling Old Men) has appeared on “Prairie Home Companion” and his instrumental music has been featured in episodic tv shows for several years.
photo by William Campbell
He’ll be performing songs from the record on Saturday, November 13th on KGLT with Cathy Ebelke, and will be performing November 17th on The Local Musicians’ Spotlight – a weekly show, at 7 PM on Wednesday evenings. It will be broadcast live on KGVM, 95.9 FM, which also streams. There’s a link to the stream at kgvm.org. The show is also available via livestream video HERE.
John Lowell is best known lately for his songwriting, earning the Grand Prize in the 2021 Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest. “It’s the first time I ever entered a songwriting contest, guess I’ll do more of that,” Lowell offers with a grin.
He was selected by the International Bluegrass Music Association for the second time to participate in their Songwriter’s Showcase in Raleigh, NC and was slated to teach at the first ever Antlers & Acorns Songwriting Festival in Boone, NC until Covid-19 reared its ugly head again and canceled the September festival.
Lowell’s been playing music all over the West, and the rest of the country, Canada, the UK and Europe for decades as part of Kane’s River, the Growling Old Men and his own John Lowell Band.
“I’ve been writing and singing Western and Cowboy songs for many years but never really considered making a recording of them until the pandemic was upon us and I needed a way to feed my creative side,” added Lowell. “Some of these songs you’ll recognize, and some will be new to you. Four are original, two are classics, and there are some songs I’ve taken a new direction. I’ve included a favorite Dave Stamey song and found some that just seemed to fit.”
Lowell continues, “If I ever had a hit, I guess it would be ‘Sarah Hogan’, and for this record I asked my old friend Randy Rieman if he would give it a go as a cowboy poetry recitation. He did a fine job on it.”
When it was time to record during a pandemic, Lowell worked with musicians all over the world, including Joey Miskulin, on “Carry Me Back to the Lone Prairie.” He also includes former bandmates Ben Winship, Julie Elkins, David Thompson, Jason Thomas, Tom Murphy, Kevin Fabozzi, Phil Round, Ted Wells and Ben Somers and friends Billy Conway, Natalie Padilla, Chris Coole and Ivan Rosenberg. His wife Joanne Gardner Lowell sings backup vocals on two tracks.
In January of 2019, several friends urged John to take some of his Western songs to Elko for the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, but the performance slots were full. John and Joanne took a shot at the Open Mic on the advice of Randy Rieman and won a spot on the Main Stage on Saturday night, where Waddie Mitchell cheered from the sidelines. “Why don’t I know you?” Waddie asked. “I need to know about these songs.”
That was all the encouragement Lowell needed to return home and start collecting material. When the pandemic struck, he spent weeks in the studio on the project, writing several new songs – often based in history and research about the men and women of the West. His biographical song about a madam in Jerome, Arizona (“Belgian Jenny”) and her shocking death comes from hearing a reference to her in a friend’s song.
The title track (and first single) is one of Lowell’s favorite cuts on the recording. “I was trying not to write a cowboy song, and I did. When the hook came into my head, I thought, ‘well, here we go.’ I figured it earned a spot on the record.”
The beautiful cover art is a painting by John’s friend Clyde Aspevig, a giant in landscape art of the West. “Clyde and I looked at several options – one better than the next,” adds Lowell. “This painting, with that amazing lightning bolt – just felt right for this. I am honored he let me feature it.”
The album was quietly released in October of 2021, and Lowell returned last week from a three-week tour in Germany. A short Montana tour in November was canceled due to Covid concerns. “I can’t wait to perform these songs. I dedicate this record to anyone who has ever watched the moon come up over a mountain in the American West, while listening to a coyote sing.” John Lowell’s CDs are available at Cactus Records, or on his website.
Praise for John Lowell’s She’s Leaving Cheyenne:
“Very listenable, seasoned musician and performer, nice vocals, good writing, tasty backup and great stories. All in all, a CD you’ll keep in rotation. I recommend it hole heartedly.” – Waddie Mitchell
“John Lowell plays his music like Casey Tibbs rode broncs—hang on, it’s going to be a great ride. John is a fresh and welcome new voice in Western Music.” – Dave Stamey
“Bluegrass music and cowboy songs grow out of the same tree of old-world folk melodies, traditional ballads, and blues. John Lowell knows this and approaches his western story songs with a bluegrass sensibility that brings the music to life with a fresh edge. This one is worth your time.” – Andy Hedges
For more information on John Lowell, go to www.johnlowell.com. •
