Wade Bowen’s been a star in the Texas Music scene for nearly a decade now and what’s surprising is that the right opportunity to cross into mainstream Nashville hasn’t hit before now. What’s interesting here is that Wade has had the more ‘marketable’ sound of his fellow Red Dirt/Texas Music artists and with the style of the genre more fitting of his rootsy rock sound like Eli Young Band, the time is now ripe for him to break through in a big way. He’s most certainly the most experienced artist on this list but that experience should do him well as he breaks through with Brad Paisley’s Sea Gayle label, the very same label who broke Jerrod Niemann with Sony Nashville’s Arista brand.

From TasteofCountry.com

Things have been going pretty well for Wade Bowen as of late. Not only did the Texas country king dominate Taste of Country’s Red Dirt Rumble last week, but he’s since reached No. 1 on the Texas music chart — perhaps directly thanks to our competition (we kid). ‘Saturday Night’ is clearly a hit with country music fans all over the country, and especially in his home state, so it’s no surprise that the song is reigning over the rest.

Behind Bowen, Cody Canada and the Departed are flying high at No. 2 with ‘Skyline Radio,’ while Kevin Fowler, Aaron Watson and Casey Donahew Band round out the Top 5 with their two-steppin’ singles.

Both Rosehill and Kyle Park are holding strong to their spots, as they have been for several weeks. New to the Top 10 this week is Ryan Beaver, who waltzed right into No. 9 — up from No. 15 — with his anti-love song, ‘Hate.’ Jason Boland and the Stragglers top it all off with ‘Mary Ellen’s Greenhouse.’

It’s anybody’s game as we inch closer to the new year, so click back next week to see which of Texas country’s greatest got their holiday wish … to be No. 1, of course.

Wade Bowen is no stranger to the music scene. Bowen got his start in country music by coming up the Texas country/red dirt path. Now, with his hot new single, ‘Saturday Night,’ Bowen is gearing up for the release of his first album with new label home Sea Gayle/BNA Records. The new collection of tunes is Bowen’s seventh album to date, but it’s this selection of songs in which the singer-songwriter has found happiness in music. Taste of Country recently visited with Bowen to discuss his music, life on the road and what keeps it all fresh in his heart after many years in the business.

Your new single, ‘Saturday Night,’ just hit radio. How has the feedback been so far from your fans when you play it live every night?

We’ve been playing it for probably six months, I guess. It’s been going over really well. I kind of ride the edge of country and rock ‘n’ roll, but my words are heavy in country music. I love the fact that this song is as country to me as it gets. I just love the feel of it … It has the two-step kind of thing, it has the heartbreak emotion, it has the feel of going out and partying on Saturday night. Even the melody and the arrangement itself has a twist.

What can we expect this go around with the next album?

I think this album has energy and it has dynamics, way more than any of the independent stuff that I’ve done in the past. As a songwriter, I feel like I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I think that comes across in the energy that’s captured on this record. I’m very proud of my band and proud of what we do out live, being the fact that we play 200 shows a year. I think that is captured really well, more than anything else I’ve ever done, on this record.

You mentioned you’ve been doing this for 14 years now. How have you evolved as a songwriter and/or artist during that time since making that first album 10 years ago?

I’ve always tried to grow, and I hope I never stop growing – that’s the goal for me as an artist and as a songwriter. I’ve just really tried over the last three years, since being with Sea Gayle Publishing and writing with them and getting the opportunity to sit in a room with better songwriters and being around better musicians over the years — just everything. It’s really helped me grow. I’m a sponge. I like to really soak it all in and try to learn from every little thing that comes around. I feel like I’ve done a really good job over those years, especially the last two [years]. I’m just trying to get better in anything I do. It’s really cool because I think it all works out.

Right now, it’s been 14 years and people say, “Why would you do a major label deal now?” I’ve just never had the opportunity before [laughs]! Now that I finally do, I’m jumping on it because it’s exciting and it’s fun. I think everything I’ve done for those 14 years is definitely going to help me and prepare me for all of this that is yet to come.

You’re obviously a very passionate songwriter, as you write all your own material. Is that something that is important to you to pen all your songs that go on each of your albums?

I love to write. That’s probably the biggest reason why I’m in this [business], because I love to write songs. I feel like, as an artist, it’s my requirement to write songs and say something … have something to say. That’s really why I go into the studio and make an album … because I do have things that I like to say and I like to write songs. So I really want that to come across.

What kind of advice would you give to a young, aspiring singer-songwriter trying to break into the business today?

I would say if you’re interested in making money, you’re not making the right decision [laughs]! No, I would say the biggest thing is not giving up. That’s really it. Everyone has their own timetable as far as what their success is going to be, and it’s all relative. I think the biggest thing is to not give up … to stick it out and keep learning and just try to be a sponge about everything, always. Every second of every day you can learn something.

Do you have any big tour plans in the works for 2012?

Not as of now. We’re ending the year strong and doing our normal touring. We’re trying to work on some stuff for next year, but as of now, we’re just kind of finish the year strong. Then we’ll go into our Steamboat Music Fest  [in Steamboat, Colo. on Jan. 5-10, 2012] that we do every year. We’ll be celebrating 10 years in a row out there next year. That’s pretty crazy! We’re just doing our normal thing as of now, and I’m just working like crazy, seven days a week, to get people familiar with me around the rest of the country and try to get this song played. It’s a lot of fun … I’m having a blast!

See the full article from Taste Of Country.

Check out Billboard Magazine’s Single review of “Saturday Night”!

BILLBOARD
Wade Bowen, Saturday Night (3:29)
“Wade Bowen, one of Texas’ brightest stars, has released a single that sounds a bit more akin to mainstream country than a lot of music coming out of the Lone Star State. That’s not exactly a bad thing, as “Saturday Night” has a natural flow that could pay off on country radio. His vocals sound reminiscent of Richie McDonald of Lonestar and invite the listener in, while the tempo of the song and earthy feel ring true. “Why does everybody love Saturday night/Stale smell of beer and the smoke in your eyes,” he sings. After many years of success in the Texas scene, Bowen seems ready to take things to another level, and “Saturday Night,” the first single from his forthcoming album, appears to have all the ingredients for a breakout hit.”

13th ANNUAL “WADE BOWEN CLASSIC” RAISES RECORD AMOUNT FOR POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL

NASHVILLE, TENN (May 26, 2011) – Country star Wade Bowen raised over $127,500 for Postpartum Support International (PSI) in his 13th annual “Wade Bowen Classic” celebrity concert and golf tournament in Waco, TX on May 15,16.  The successful two-day event saw a record turnout and raised more money than any year previous.  Over the last three years, the “Bowen Classic” has raised approximately $350,000.00  for PSI.

Bowen, with the help of friends Cody Canada & The Departed, Randy Rogers, Casey Donahew Band, Stoney LaRue, Kyle Park, Roger Creager, Ryan Beaver, Walt Wilkins, Ben Danaher, Willy Braun, Micky Braun, Gary Braun, No Justice, Josh Grider, Rich O’Toole and Angaleena Presley played to a crowd of over 2000 at Hog Creek Ice House in Waco, TX.  The following day 193 golfers joined him at beautiful Cottonwood Creek Golf Course for a round of golf and dinner to cap off the record-breaking event.

Bowen says, “I am blessed with great friends and a supportive hometown. Amazing things happen when the music community comes together to help those in need – music truly heals.”

Postpartum Support International (PSI) is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing. PSI works tirelessly to support, educate, research and advocate for women who experience emotional changes and mental illness during pregnancy and postpartum.