Ep. 41: Myths and Misunderstandings in the Music Business with Kevin Bowe

The music business is a realm filled with anecdotes and half-remembered stories that often get mistaken for gospel truths. We've all encountered strong opinions and tales about "the way things should be done." But what do these notions really mean? How can we separate fact from fiction?
In this episode, I'm joined by the renowned Kevin Bowe to debunk some of the most pervasive myths, misunderstandings, and outright lies that circulate in the industry.
Kevin Bowe is a multifaceted writer, producer, mixer, and musician, boasting credits on multi-platinum, Grammy-winning albums. His impressive roster includes collaborations with legends like Johnny Lang, The Replacements, Etta James, Joe Cocker, Paul Westerberg, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, 3 Dog Night, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Little Steven Van Zandt, Communist Daughter, and many more. His songs have even been performed by icons such as Lucinda Williams and Bruce Springsteen!
Tune in to hear our take on common myths like:
"The music industry is dead."
"You can't make any money in music!"
"I just need..."
"Cover songs are selling out."
and more.
Kevin is an incredibly talented, kind, and funny guy, and I can't think of a better industry veteran to learn from. Enjoy!
Full transcript and show notes: secretsfromthescene.com/41
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:33 Kevin Bow's Impressive Career Highlights
03:55 Kevin's Early Years and Musical Journey
09:13 Meeting Johnny Lang and Breakthroughs
11:48 Producing and Engineering Journey
22:36 Current Projects and Exciting Collaborations
30:59 Myths and Misunderstandings in the Music Business
43:47 Music as an Advertisement for Identity
45:27 The Evolution of Music Preferences
48:42 The Changing Music Industry Landscape
53:24 The Myth of 'I Just Need...'
57:15 Talent vs. Hard Work in Music
01:01:52 The Joy of Making Music
01:11:51 The Value of Covers and Tribute Bands
01:19:16 Secrets to Success in the Music Scene
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🔗 kevinbowe.com/
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[@Rythymace]

I'm so glad Courtney (Hadwin) got hooked up with Kevin. She was boxed in for too long and now she has someone to work with that frees her up to be herself and record the way she needs to record. I'm one of her millions of fans that first saw her on AGT and has follwed her closely ever since. She is an amazing one in a lifetime talent and a great down to earth young lady. She started a Go Fund Me account to support her endeavors and expenses to which I made a small contribution. I get emai from Courtney two or three times a week that she sends out to all her donors keeping us up to date on how she is progressing and how grateful she is for the support. I mean who does that? She is an amazing person and Kevin is exactly who she needed and will need for future projects. I'm praying she stays the humble down to earth person she's been up to now and avoids the pitfalls of the music business so many fall into ie drugs and other bad habits. And finally a huge thanks to Clive Davis for insisting on having Courtney do the Carnagie Hall gig. That was a huge deal!

[@edwarddevogelear4432]

Super Interview. Incredibly informative. But I can't lie. My favorite part was the 8-9 minutes when Kevin was talking about his work with Courtney Hadwin. She's the most incredible artist I've ever heard. A true generational level talent and the voice of a lifetime. Based on the snippets that Courtney and Kevin have shared, this album is going to be epic. The music world won't know what hit it.

[@givingin2G4Courtz]

I'm repeating a comment here that I made elsewhere about Ms. Courtney Hadwin and her collab with Kevin. So VERY GLAD those two got introduced, even if virtually! This kid reminds me SO MUCH of Tina Turner...that FLOOD of ENERGY that just inundates the audience as the music starts and this youngster steals that stage away from Simon Cowell. Audience on their feet, clapping, cheering, within 30 seconds. And that voice! With and without all the great vocalist skills and tricks...that AMAZING vocal squall you'd swear was coming out of an old 1950's black church choir singing their praises to the Lord. Ms. Courtney didn't grow up outside of Memphis Tennessee, but she sure learned many of the techniques from vocalists who did! Her blues are sublime. Her plain quiet natural voice is sweet and clear and powerful when she wants it to be. But when it's time to BELT and to let the world know this is ROCK'n'ROLL with a perfect Rock Growl or scream, she nails it every time! As for her potential audience, I really think Kevin is severely underestimating. At her SECOND APPEARANCE, first LIVE SHOW on AGT, the host, Tyra Banks, introduced 14yo Ms. Courtney with the fact that since her audition was released, they'd had 200 MILLION VIEWS of her audition. That's from May/June timeframe until Oct/Nov timeframe of 2018. Since, with all the copies and reactions spreading out from those AGT videos, I've seen believable estimates that at least 1 BILLION WORLDWIDE VIEWS (combining KZbin, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook). The potential is there, even if many of those were there for the spectacle of what music does to this young girl's body (especially when she's filled with stress and then just lets go and lets the music she loves take her over). Her performance in January of 2019 on AGT: The Champions was, until this summer, our last, best vision of what she could do on a stage, still only 14yo. If that ill-fated 'Woodstock 50' anniversary extravaganza had taken place, with her on the bill for Saturday on the BIG STAGE, this would be a VERY DIFFERENT STORY. But that festival was cancelled so we never got to see that amazing debut amidst all the remaining greats from that time whose music this kid loves. I can't wait to hear what she comes up with next! Ms. Courtney (aka COURTZ) opens her mouth and starts singing and I'm instantly transported back to a hot summer day, in my '68 Mustang, blasting along the rural roads deep amidst the wheat fields, then the forests, of the Pacific NorthWest in USA, with windows down and 8-track blaring the best of 1950's and 60's rock. Haven't heard a voice like that since the 80's. OUTSTANDING!!

[@raywilliams4293]

loved this like to see additional interviews with Kevin. he mentions Courtney Hadwin and with his help she is turning out exceptional music, hope they work together for many years to come

[@tylermcaninch2019]

Love Kevin Bowe!

[@secretsfromthescene]

agreed!

[@darrenaurand7138]

Awesome Interview! I've only kept tabs on a handful of music producers over the years. Two of them are Ted Perlman and another Kevin Bowe. Ted mainly because of his ties to Bob Dylan... Whitney Houston ,...etc.. Kevin Bowe most definitely because of his work with Jonny Lang. Unbelievably, two of my favorite Artists , Courtney Hadwin and Gabe Schillman are currently working with them. Courtney with Kevin and Gabe with Ted. I don't believe either could of traveled the world and found better matches. Absolutely can't wait for the Album drop of Kevin and Courtney's Originals! Thanks for this super Interview.

[@secretsfromthescene]

Thanks for listening!

[@Loolooette]

Years ago, I had an opportunity to take part in a small singing competition to benefit special Olympics. The prize was to have 2 songs recorded at IPR at the time where Kevin had been teaching. I was able to record 2 covers, and Kevin shared that if I ever wanted to come back and record my own music, I could do so. I took him up on that and recorded a few originals that I had written and a cover of “Thirteen”. His class was able to help with the recording process, which was really neat to see. I’ll forever be grateful for that opportunity and experience and it truly was “the most fun”. He was kind and present. There is so much in this interview that spoke to me personally. I’m a busy mom of 3, working full-time and trying to learn the guitar (late at night when everyone sleeps). I’m the one that you speak of that isn’t as good as the others but has a desire to record my stuff just for the sake of recording it and so that it won’t just live in my head. When I have the money at some point, I have plans to record for those reasons. The songwriting is important to me and it doesn’t have to be heard by others in order for it to remain meaningful to me. My experience with Kevin was that he is a humble down-to-earth person. I remember trying to sell a jingle one time and had no idea what I was doing and he gave me some tips after I reached out. I have a lot of respect for him, and enjoy following all of the things he is doing. Thanks for this great interview and I just subscribed to the channel. 🙌🏼

[@secretsfromthescene]

You are very welcome. Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast!

[@rickallenphoto]

Stephen, excellent interview.

[@secretsfromthescene]

Thanks for listening!