John Cowan

John Cowan grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, where his father's gospel singing and the local bluegrass and country sounds shaped his early musical direction. He learned guitar and banjo before finding his place as a vocalist and bassist.

In the early 1970s, Cowan joined Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, and Courtney Johnson to form New Grass Revival. The band recorded eight albums together, including 1975's self-titled debut and 1977's 'Fly Through the Country,' mixing bluegrass with jazz, rock, and folk elements. They toured regularly until disbanding in 1989.

After New Grass Revival ended, Cowan began releasing solo material that continued to draw from bluegrass, country, folk, and gospel. Songs like 'A Train Left for Memphis' and 'Crazy Love' reflect that range. In 1994, he was diagnosed with a rare cancer and underwent treatment while continuing to work.