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Ralston Bowles

Rank #4 Grand Rapids, MI Singer Songwriter / Americana / Folk

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About

Members: Ralston Bowles

Sounds Like: James McMurtry, Marvin Etzioni, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen

Label: Wildflower

Bio: Singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles, Considered the Ambassador of Acoustic Music in West Michigan, Ralston signed on with Judy Collins' record label, Wildflower Records in 2007. This placed his 2004 debut release, "Carwreck Conversations and his sophomore 2008 recording project, "Rally at the Texas ... See Full Bio

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Status

Singer?Songwriter

Press

"masterful songwriter who touches places other writers can't get to....with soul..... "

— Barry Marshall-Everitt, House of Mercy

“Ralston Bowles interest in music started with the Biltmore Diana, his acoustic guitar. “It was around my house growing up,” he said. “My dad was a steel worker and a musician. My dad played that guitar. It was a good memory.” The 1940 catalog listed the guitar for $23.50. “It has a lot of character,” Ralston said. “It was the first musical instrument I played.” He became serious about playing by the time he was in high school, growing up in northwest Indiana. ”

— Dianne Caroll Burdick, On The Town

“Singer/songwriter Ralston Bowles is an Americana troubadour born one of two children in Gary, Indiana. The Grand Rapids-based Bowles, a former creative director at Citadel Broadcasting, followed his dream at the age of 50 and made his first record. With two albums in the ether on Judy Collins's Wildflower Records, Bowles has already garnered five Jammy Awards. He's most recently opened for luminaries Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. This Midwestern minstrel has a sincere sound. Get "You Already Knew That," from Bowles's 2004 debut release Carwreck Conversations, produced by Marvin Etzioni. Currently touring.”

— Phil Ramone and Danielle, Huffington Post

“Ralston Bowles Little Miracles 2010 album produciton profiled in Mix ”

— Peter Cooper, MIX Magazine

“Ralston Bowles, a musician and songwriter who often is called the godfather of West Michigan's acoustic music scene, has been making music since he was a child growing up in Gary, Ind. "The stories are out there," he says. "It's about finding the stories and telling them. That's what Woody Guthrie did. That's what Bob Dylan does." After years of promoting and encouraging other local musicians, he finds himself on the receiving end of a groundswell of support”

— TH Hamilton, GR Press

“After a grass-roots campaign by fans and local musicians who championed his cause, organizers of the Rothbury music festival at the Double JJ Ranch north of Muskegon have scheduled Bowles to perform at the event, playing the same stage as Dylan on Sunday, the festival's closing day.”

— John Sinkevics, GR Press

“The final Tuesday Evening Music Club concert of the summer at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, featuring Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles "and friends," had it all: Perfect weather, a huge and diverse crowd, stellar live music and, of course, plenty of gleeful dancing children.”

— John SInkevics

“Ralston's New CD "Rally at the Texas Hotel" is a Three Star Hotel”

— Philip Verhaege , Keys & Chords (Netherlands)

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New Mobile App for Ralston
Dec 5, 2011
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Songs

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Play "Norman Blake's Guitar ArtPrize Entry #52972"

Norman Blake's Guit…

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Play "Joy"

Joy

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Play "Paper Moon"

Paper Moon

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Play "Remember"

Remember

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Play "Utah"

Utah

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Sun
Jun 30

Ann Arbor SummerFest To…
Ann Arbor, MI, US | 5:00pm
Ann Arbor SummerFest Top ...
Ann Arbor, MI, US
Sun Jun 30 5:00pm
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Comments

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Chapa
You are amazing Ralston. Much respect.
Wade Braines
Great voice and song writing! I really enjoyed your music, greetings from NZ.
Sock Puppet Monkeys
Man,this is some great stuff here.You're a master of the songwritng craft. and you own this sound.As good as anybody anywhere.
Cemo Mus!ck
Got some fresh & cool sound here! Hats off and respect, a fantastic job! ;0) Keep it up! Sunny greets from Cheeseland! ;0) http://www.facebook.com/cemomusick
LOST CITY BAND
Congratulations on your song "Wish I Knew" placing at the Great Lakes Songwriters !!! Listening to "Weep With You" today, sweet track Ralston !!!
Susan Buchanan
I love your songs and voice so much!