As a professional musician for 20 years, Jim Bowley wears many hats - multi-instrumental guitarist, singer-songwriter, teacher and producer. He was the creative force behind the critically-acclaimed roots rock duo, Vox Americana, and has won a number of awards for his songs, including a top ten finish in the national Best of Country 2001 Songwriter Showcase. VA enjoyed airplay domestically and abroad in the UK, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark.

From 2004 to 2006, Jim was the singer/guitarist for tropical rock act, Captain Quint. He performed with CQ across the US, including opening for Jimmy Buffett a number of times, and co-produced Quint's sophomore release, "The Swinging Sailor of Perryman".

Jim teaches guitar full-time at his home studio in Maryland. See the Guitar Talk page for schedule, rates, and additional info. Contact Jim at tritonemusic@comcast.net.

Performance

Jim Bowley picked up the guitar at the age of 12, and, as a teenager, played in various church groups and garage bands, performed in musical theater, and won a Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts award. Jim went on to study music on a full scholarship to Towson University, eventually graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor?s degree in Music Education. Upon graduation, he embarked on a performing career and has entertained audiences along the East Coast ever since.

In 2000 Jim formed the roots-rock group, Vox Americana, and in 2001 the band released its self-titled debut CD to critical acclaim. Vox Americana has received airplay both here and abroad, on roots-rock and alt-country stations in Spain, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany.

After a two-year hiatus from performing, Jim joined tropical rock act, Captain Quint, as frontman and guitarist. From 2004-2006, Jim and CQ played to audiences from Cleveland to Key West, including a handful of appearances in Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania as opening act for Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band.

Press and Reviews

About Vox Americana's self-titled debut:

"These 11 country-tinged tunes will appeal to fans of John Hiatt and Mary-Chapin Carpenter" - Baltimore Magazine

"Lush arrangements and tremendous vocals ... the production values are pristine ... Jim Bowley clearly has an ear for a good hook and the talent to push the envelope!" - AltCountryTab.com

"A confident collection ... a solid and wholly contemporary disc of American songwriting" - Splendid E-zine

"Solid and clever songwriting, excellent musicianship and sparkling production!" - Paul Iwancio, former president of Baltimore Songwriters Association

About Captain Quint's "The Swinging Sailor of Perryman":

"Every track is an absolute gem ... this is the best collection I've heard in a long time!" - Art Perry, Radio Margaritaville

"The Swinging Sailor of Perryman" is a total delight! - Thomas Fraser, Program Director, Permanent Vacation, Live365 Radio Network

"What separates Captain Quint from the others are the songs - the original songs - by singer/guitarist Jim Bowley." - Stone Scruggs, Music Monthly

Songwriting

As principal songwriter for the roots rock duo, Vox Americana, Jim's songs won national recognition and critical acclaim. He penned every track on VA's self-titled debut, and "She Talks Like a Sailor" (The Girlfriend Song) and "When the Heart Says Yes" won Noteworthy awards from American Songwriter Magazine and Billboard International Song Contest. Billboard called the songs "exceptionally strong and commercially appealing". "She Talks Like a Sailor" also placed as a top ten finalist in the national Best of Country 2001 Songwriter Showcase in Atlanta, GA.

Jim has most recently penned 7 songs for Captain Quint's sophomore release "The Swinging Sailor of Perryman". He also studies songwriting with award-winning writer Jon Ims in Nashville, TN, and is an active member of the Baltimore Songwriters Association.

In 2007, Jim brought home an Honorable Mention award from the Billboard Song Contest for his folky "Ballad of the Lost and Found". Again, comments from Billboard reviewers included "great narrative, excellent lyric".

Recording

As a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Jim has sung and played a variety of instruments on a number of recording sessions, including both Vox Americana's and Captain Quint's CDs. He recently provided guitar and other stringed things for Jake and the Half Conched Band's debut, "Life on the Gulf".

In addition to 6- and 12-string acoustic and electric guitars, Jim has also recorded tracks with bass, baritone guitar, high-strung guitar, dobro, mandolin, ukelele, banjo and piano.

One of the hallmarks of Jim's productions is the lush background vocal sound. On VA's debut, Jim and partner Tracy Calhoun provided all vocals. On CQ's disc, Jim provides almost every voice, except for those otherwise noted.

Production

Jim co-produced Vox Americana's debut release with Secret Sound's John Grant. He also co-produced Captain Quint's "The Swinging Sailor of Perryman" with Kevin Johnston.