John Cowan in Charleston

John Cowan is an American singer and electric bassist, born in Minerva, Ohio, whose music draws on bluegrass, country, rock and soul. He is best known as a lead vocalist and bassist of New Grass Revival, which he joined in 1974 and stayed with until the group disbanded in 1989. His recordings with the band include the albums On the Boulevard, Hold to a Dream and Friday Night in America, as well as its version of “Callin' Baton Rouge.” New Grass Revival appeared repeatedly at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival during John Cowan's tenure and gave its final performance on New Year's Eve 1989 at Oakland Coliseum Arena, opening for the Grateful Dead. After that farewell, he toured with the John Cowan Band and later worked as a touring bassist and vocalist for The Doobie Brothers.