Bryan McDowell

Bryan McDowell hails from western North Carolina, where he gained his skills as a fiddle player by studying under the wing of Arvil Freeman. Growing up, McDowell also enhanced his art by learning the mandolin and guitar. He also became quite an adept songwriter. Over the years, he has picked up a number of fiddler awards, as well as spending time performing with artists to include Claire Lynch, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, and John McEuen. 

Now McDowell offers this self-titled release which features not only his songwriting skills but includes his lead vocals and his very talented playing on guitar, fiddle, and mandolin. To back him up on most tracks, he is joined by Cory Walker (banjo), Jake Stargel (guitar and harmony), and Jeff Partin (resophonic guitar and harmony). He has a number of guest bass players in the studio that include Daniel Kimbro, Jeff Picker, Mike Bub, and Mark Schatz. Other guests are fiddlers Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Christian Ward, and there is Gavin Largent (resophonic guitar) as well as Jarrod Walker (mandolin), Isaac Eicher (mandolin), and Shawn Lane (vocals).    

McDowell’s originals include “Garden Gate,” “Winter Comin’ In,” “Cement Shoes,” “Anymore,” and “Hear My Name.” Others are Jesse Well’s “Hold Me Like I’m Leaving” and Bill Monroe’s “Toy Heart.” The instrumentals include McDowell’s “Blue Backpack” and “Free Consultation,” and the traditional “American Native.” The project shows McDowell’s vocals out front, as is his instrumental work, and the recording sessions must have been enjoyable with all the talent. The arrangements are tight and allow the other musicians lots of room to show their skills. This is a very nice project from Bryan McDowell.