Band Member Biographies

Thomas L. Bowman Sr. :

Where were you born?
I was born in Elizabethton, Tennessee.  Pronounced - Uh-liz-uh-bath-ton

How did you wind up in Minnesota?
Chased a skirt.

What kind of music do you like?
I can truthfully say I like all types of music and I have favorites in every genre.  I'm currently on a Reggae kick.  Terry Linen, Richie Spice, Garnett Silk, Third World, and a new band on the reggae scene, Live Wyya, and Robert Nesta of course.

What kind of guitars do you play?
Fenders mainly.  My main three are a American Standard Telecaster, a Roadhouse Stratocaster, and a Telecaster HH.  All are hot rodded.  I can't leave anything alone.  I'm always doing something to them...  Well any equipment for that matter.  My motto is, "Anything worth doing is worth over doing!"

How did you get started in music?
I have a music history deeply rooted on both my father's and mother's side of the family.  My Mother's maiden name was Smith.  She was on of 11 sisters and three brothers born to Preston Smith brother of Hobart Smith and Texas Gladden.

Who was your biggest influence?
That's an easy one!  John R, way down south in Dixie.   He played the REAL soul.  Main stream radio would play Funky Broadway by Wilson Pickett.  John R. played the original by Dyke and the Blazers.  Main stream would play Knock on Wood Wilson Pickett style while John R would play the Eddie Floyd way.  I couldn't get WLAC from Nashville until late at night so I would keep myself awake to catch John R!  All these cool tunes that could not be found in Bristol. Tennessee.

Where do you like to perform, any special venues?
Anywhere that will have me!

Who is your favorite band?
Locally...  I like Soul Tight Committee a lot.  I love Ipso Facto's attitude.  CBO may be the be most rehearsed band, I really enjoy them.  High and Mighty also!  Very good.  I have to say Austin Healy too, being a Southern man held captive in Minnesota. 
I have discovered another local band called the Rule that I like quite a bit.  Definitely check them out!
As far as big time bands, I don't know anymore.  Steely Dan, Little River Band (LONG ago), Earth Wind and Fire, some Commodores,  The Nevilles, Third World, Aswad, and I liked the Dixie Dregs, Wet Willie, Mose Jones, and ARS.

Favorite Restaurant?
Mediterranean Cruise in Eagan!  Well...  Al Baker's in Eagan also.  That's where I met my sweetie.

Favorite Football team?
You have to remember where I'm from.  Tennessee.  If you ask people in Tennessee what their favorite football team is 99% will say some college team.  It's SEC baby,  the way football should be played. Volunteers of  Tennessee. For the pros...  Atlanta Falcons.

Favorite Baseball Team?
The Minnesota Twins.  The greatest World Series of all time?  Twins vs. Braves in '91.

Boxers or briefs?
Boxers.

Favorite Vacation spot?
Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica WI.  Different Reggae show every night.

Musical Heroes?
I have so many.  This is a tough one.  Going back as far as I can remember in chronological order:
The Ventures, The Kingsman, The Young Rascals, Charlie Byrd, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Booker T. and the MGs, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Sly and the Family Stone, Van Morrison, Crosby - Stills - Nash and Young, Firefall, The Burrito Brothers, Jimmy Bryant, The Allman Brothers, Larry Gatlin, Charlie Daniels, ZZ Top, Freddie King, Mose Jones, Steely Dan, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Mother's Finest, Wet Willie, Delbert McClinton, Rodney Crowell, Huey Lewis, Restless Heart, Lee Roy Parnell, Robert Nesta Marley, Third World.

Do you have any brothers or sisters?
One brother.  I learned a hell of a lot from him about life and music.  He died February 26th, 2005 at the damn too young age of 61.  This man could party like no one you have ever met! Remembering a brother: Edwin MacNider Bowman Jr .

What CD is in your car right now?
Strictly the Best #36 Reggae Hits of 2007.

Who is the person you'd like to meet most?
Carl Gerbschmidt.

Who helped you with this website?
Pat Callies from CDS. He did OK, once I went in and cleaned up his code it looks pretty nice. I need to teach him a little about the audio part though! We'll got there.