Gene Bowshier.
Born and raised in Springfield, Ohio to Donnie & Ann Bowshier, Gene came from a big family of five brothers and four sisters. After graduating high school Gene took a job working in the automotive industry for Honda of America building cars and marrying his high school sweetheart Jennifer. Today Gene and Jennifer are the proud parents of four children that they raise in the Springfield area, where they call home.
Gene has been around country music his whole life, being inspired by his father (best known as "Little Donnie Bowshier") who back in the late 50's wrote a couple songs to chart on country music radio, "Stoneheart" and "I Love You Baby." The song "Stoneheart" is what he is best remembered for writing. Gene remembers his fathers legacy as a man that at the age of two was afflicted with polio and was to never walk again. Seeing how his father dealt with his handicap that he suffered, striving to put that aside and become a great singer and songwriter inspired Gene. "I never looked at my father as a handicap, I didn't see his wheel chair when I looked at him. What I saw was my hero, a man that I wanted to be when I grew up." When Gene was very young, his father used to take him to his shows, of course having five brothers, they would have to take turns. At age nine, Gene would go to night clubs taking it all in, watching his father entertain and show off his god given talents. "This is when I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up!" Unfortunately, Gene's father passed away in 2002. "He may be gone, but his legacy will live on forever."
"Most people don't believe me, when I tell them I was very shy at a younger age," because of his his high energy shows today. Considering himself not only shy but very awkward, staying home most of the time until he was sixteen, then all of a sudden he came out of his shell and lost his shyness. While out with some friends, they encouraged Gene to get up and sing, and the response he recieved reminded him of how people responded to his father. That same feeling keeps Gene performing still today!
Gene formed his own band "The Stoneharts" (In memory of his father) that has created much attention among fans, packing clubs and venues everywhere they play. They have had the opportunity to open for such acts as; Blake Shelton, Jessica Andrews, Pam Tillis to name a few, along with singing on stage with the lead singer of Yankee Grey and country music legend David Frizzell. Besides Gene's father being one of his biggest influences, other major influences include; Montgomery Gentry, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Gene through his management and producer was able to record a song "Thank You" (To The American Soldier) with former Statler Brother and Hall of Fame member Jimmy Fortune, which was picked up by "Troop Talk Radio" where he participated in a very special show where he and other national artist such as Montgomery Gentry talked to our soldiers on the ground in Iraq to thank them and wish them holiday wishes. There is current plans to use this song in an effort to raise much needed awareness and funds for our Veterans. More to be released soon.
Gene also appeared on a national compilation that featured his song "Good Year for the Outlaw" with the likes of legendary and current national artists Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, Montgomery Gentry and others with distribution through Universal to Walmart, K-mart and BestBuy. This was quite an accomplishment considering he is unsigned to a major label.
Gene is a powerhouse entertainer that even set a record for a new artist at the venue in Blue Ash, Ohio when he appeared with Billy Currington. According to Chuck Funk (Exec. Director for Parks & Recreation), he said it was the first time in his tenure to witness such a turn out for a meet & greet with an opening act! Even Richard Lustig the national talent buyer for the venue expressed the same sentiments that a virtually unknown artist could attract such a huge crowd.
The future is looking bright for 2009 as Gene will be heading back to Nashville with his management to record and work on some new projects!
Management
Jerry Adams
Symons, Adams & Myers
Promotion & Talent Co. LLC
419-619-0555 OH
615-216-6466 TN
775-908-7623 Fax
