Wade Bowen gets adventurous with his music

The common denominator between Wade Bowen’s eponymous album, which was released in 2014, and “Hold My Beer, Vol. 1,” his project with fellow Texas singer-songwriter Randy Rogers, which dropped in April, is that each came about organically.

“Each of those albums were made for selfish reasons,” Bowen said while calling from Wilmington, Del. “I think that’s a good thing. With my self-titled release, it was what I did after I was on a major label (Sony), and it just didn’t work out. The timing wasn’t right. After I left, I decided that I just wanted to make a record for myself. And as far as ‘Hold My Beer,’ Randy I were just working on some songs to tag on to a live record. We thought the songs were too good for that. We booked more studio time, and all of a sudden we had a record. We decided to make an old-school country record.”

Bowen, who will perform Friday at the Cotillion, is as pleased as he’s ever been as a recording artist since he decided to just go with his gut.

“That’s the best way to go,” Bowen said. “I’ve matured a bit and I think I figured a few things out. It’s really best to not worry about the charts or pleasing anyone.”

It’s hardly a surprise that Bowen is a big fan of Robert Earl Keen (who performs at the Orpheum on July 26) and Radney Foster, a pair of underheralded Texas singer-songwriters, each with a strong cult fan base.

“I’ve admired both of those guys for a long time,” Bowen said. “They each do what they want. Robert Earl changed my life. I started listening to his records when I was 16. I saw him when I was a freshman in college, and he had such an impact on me. His music, his energy and his band just inspired me. He made me realize that I didn’t have to go to Nashville. I could stay in Texas and live my dream.

“Radney is another guy that has been inspirational. He is a friend and mentor and such a gifted singer-songwriter. Robert Earl and Radney both do what they want to do, and I’m doing the same now.”

Bowen is an adventurous, hard-working performer, who is often out on the road for 250 dates a year. “I’m passionate about what I do,” Bowen said. “There’s nothing like touring. I love it when I hit the stage. The traveling isn’t my favorite thing, but getting up there onstage makes it all worthwhile. The road is crazy, but I must be all about it since I’ve been out there playing for 17 years. You don’t do something that long if you don’t love it.”

His self-titled release and his project with Rogers are made for the stage. Each song is raw and filled with energy. “My first couple albums were lyrically driven,” Bowen said. “But I’ve gone a different way lately, and it helps with the live show. The newer songs are ideal to play live.”

Expect Bowen to continue to write in the same manner. “I think this style works for me,” he said. “I like it a little edgier and most of all, I like writing for myself. If I can please me, that’s all that should matter. I learned that you can’t get too weird or have too much fun. Go out and take chances and if it doesn’t work out, go try something else.”

Bowen said you have to make music for the right reasons. “It’s a cool thing to go against the grain. Not enough recording artists do that. They do what’s expected, but I decided to go the other way. It took time for me to figure this all out. But now that I have figured it out, there’s no turning back.”

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Wade Bowen gets adventurous with his music."