Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe coming to Bluegrass Monday | Arts & Culture

Jimmy Bowen and Santa Fe will perform a concert of bluegrass music on Monday, February 25, at 7 p.m. at the Collins Theatre, 120 West Emerson Street, in downtown Paragould, Arkansas. 

The concert is part of the Bluegrass Monday concert series presented by KASU 91.9 FM.  KASU will literally “pass the hat” to collect money to pay the group.  The suggested donation is $5 per person.

Bowen is known as one of the best high-tenor singers in bluegrass music today.  A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, he began performing onstage at the age of eight, and at age ten, he played regularly as part of his father’s bluegrass band.  After graduating college, Bowen chose to pursue a career in music.

Bowen spent seven years as part of the legendary Country Gentlemen, one of the top bands in the history of bluegrass music.  While in that group, Bowen performed at the Grand Ole Opry, at the White House, and on the Nashville Now television program.

After leaving the Country Gentlemen, Bowen became a founding member of David Parmley’s group Continental Divide.  That band was recognized as Emerging Artist Of The Year in 1995 by the International Bluegrass Music Association.  Bowen spent almost four years as part of that band.

In 1998, Bowen founded his own group, Santa Fe, with whom he still records and tours today.  That group has recorded four CDs and tours the United States, Canada and Europe.  The band mixes bluegrass with a classic country sound and Americana influences.

Admission is free.  KASU will literally “pass the hat” to collect money to pay the group.  The suggested donation is $5 per person.

Bluegrass Monday concerts are held on the fourth Monday night of each month, except in December.  These concerts are presented with support from Backbeat Music, Bibb Chiropractic, the Posey Peddler, the Northeast Arkansas Bluegrass Association and KASU.

KASU, 91.9 FM, is the 100,000 watt public broadcasting service of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.  For more information, contact KASU Program Director Marty Scarbrough at mscarbro@astate.edu or 870-972-2367.  Bluegrass Monday is also on Facebook (search “Bluegrass Monday”).

Story and photo provided by Marty Scarbrough, KASU