Bowden, Richard (30 September 1945

Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Linden, Texas, who was childhood friends with Don Henley, Freddie Neese, and Jerry Surratt. They started a band called The Four Speeds in 1963 and caught the attention of Kenny Rogers, who encouraged them to relocated to Los Angeles, California, and record an album. The Four Speeds changed their name to Shiloh and released one, self-titled LP, then broke up at the beginning of the new decade.

Don and Richard joined Linda Ronstadt’s band, along with Glenn Frey. It was not long thereafter that Don and Glenn would co-form the Eagles. Richard and his cousin, Mike Bowden, stayed on with Linda until she decided to take a break in the middle of a recording session in 1973.

Sneaky Pete Kleinow invited Richard to help him start another band, Cold Steel, with cousin Mike in tow. In 1974, they became known as Lone Star, and then evolved into a new version of The Flying Burrito Brothers. Many of these musicians, including Richard, joined The Roger McGuinn Band, releasing one self-titled album and touring together until 1976. The band broke up, but Richard was not out of a job for long, as Dan Fogelberg plucked him up for a short stint with his band. Then Richard broke his wrist and was out of commission for a year. In 1978, he re-emerged with a new band, Blue Steel, and they recorded a pair of albums and were the opening act for The Eagles on the Long Run tour at the turn of the decade.

Richard joined The Burrito Brothers for a short time—they had dropped the “Flying” from their name—and then moved to Nashville, Tennessee. It was here that Jim Ed Norman put him in touch with Sandy Pinkard. Richard and Sandy hit it off right away. It was their intention to form a serious band, but their sense of humor was so in synch, they decided to write funny songs and parodies. These included “Blue Hairs Drivin’ in My Lane”, “Help Me Make it Through the Yard”, and “Somebody Done Somebody’s Song Wrong”. The duo stayed together for sixteen years, recorded albums, performed in comedy clubs, appeared on radio and TV programs. In 1998, they decided to call it quits.

The Bowdens moved back to Linden, Texas, and took care of Richard’s mom and got involved in the community, in an effort to attract tourists to their town. Music City Texas Inc. was already in full flight, and they appointed Richard Chairman of the Board. The goal was to build a concert venue, and after a couple of efforts fell through, they decided to renovate the American Legion Hall. It became a magnet for artists such as Jackson Browne, Don Henley, and Kenny Rogers.

In his copious free time, he started up another band, Moon and the Starz, and they recorded an album called Rising Over Texas. Richard has worn many hats during his return to his home town: He has served as a city councilman, Director of the Linden Economic Development Corporation, and President of Music City Texas, Inc.

Sources:

Bowden, Richard (30 September 1945 – Present)

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