Arts-Entertainment
John Lowell and his wife Joanne will be performing at the Lone Star Cowboy Gathering in Bastrop, Texas from February19th to the 21st. John was the winner of the International Western Music Association’s Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for his “Snow on the Wineglass” release in 2024. He was recently awarded Western Single of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists for that same song and was named as a Montana Governor’s Arts Award recipient—the highest artistic achievement given in the state of Montana. John and Joanne make their home in Livingston.
The Lowell’s embark in early February for tour stops in Idaho and Arizona before arriving at the prestigious Lone Star Cowboy Gathering, held for the first time this year both in Bastrop and Alpine, Texas. The gathering, second oldest in the country, features western musicians and cowboy poets, as well as fans and music professionals. The Lowell’s will perform at four shows during the weekend and continue their tour through Texas, returning home in early April.
“We love the Lone Star Gathering, “ said Lowell in an interview from his home. “This will be everyone’s first experience in Bastrop and we’re looking forward to seeing some of our favorite musicians and poets. If you’re a fan of Western culture, you should get yourself to a gathering soon.”
John and Joanne Lowell were recently awarded a second prize honor by the International Western Music Association for a song they wrote called, “Ghosts Upon My Back.” That song will be featured on a new recording project, now underway with co-producer Merel Bregante. The album will be a duet project featuring lead vocals by both singers.
“During the pandemic, all performing stopped for so many of us,” said Lowell. “I shut myself into my home studio and set out to make a cowboy music record. I’ve been a historian and lover of all things Western for decades and thought it would be just for me. Instead, we sent it out to Western radio and were completely embraced by the fans, DJ’s and makers of that genre of music and poetry. The first record had a song (Angus Mackenzie) that was awarded “Cowboy Song of the Year,” and they really loved my second release.”
John and Joanne have been touring together for a few years. She’s sung with several performers, including Rodney Crowell, Tracy Nelson, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Marcia Ball, Darrell Scott and Shawn Colvin, and had her own blues band for years in Montana. The couple produce musical events together, including a Songwriter Festival and a Fishing Musician Camp.
Tickets for the event are available, and more information can be found at lonestarcowboypoetry.com. More information on John Lowell is available at www.johnlowell.com.