Artist: BB Bowness
Hometown: Somerville, Massachusetts
Latest Album: Goodtime Revival (released November 1, 2025)
Personal Nickname (or rejected band names): BB (short for Catherine)
Which artist has influenced you the most – and how?
It’s tough to choose just one person, but I’d have to say Béla Fleck. He has expanded what’s possible on the banjo for all of us banjo nerds. Hearing him play classical, jazz, bluegrass and so many other styles, all with stunning fluency, is such an inspiration to me. And his tune writing is masterful, tunes like “Sunset Road,” “The Overgrown Waltz,” and “Big Country” feel so beautiful and singable to me. It’s really hard to write tunes that come anywhere close to that level of completeness.
What was the first moment that you knew you wanted to be a musician?
I’ve always been drawn to music, since growing up in a traveling New Zealand craft market. There was a stage manager in the fair, Ralph Bennett-Eades, who played guitar and sang really great. His boys played guitar and drums so I always saw the cool, older kids playing music. Then after learning banjo for a few years, I headed to the states for the first time and got to attend some festivals and camps including Telluride and Rockygrass in Colorado. Seeing the amazing musicians perform on stage at those festivals made me really want to try music for a living. Fifteen-year-old me thought, “Wow, people do this for a job?!” Turns out it’s not that easy to get those jobs, but it’s been an incredible journey so far.
What has been the best advice you’ve received in your career so far?
The great Tony Trischka once told me it’s great if you can learn to sing. I’ve thought back on that comment frequently through the years, being primarily an instrumentalist. But it really rings true! Being able to sing in a band and contribute to the show as a vocalist by singing harmonies is a big plus. It’s also so great in general for your musicianship to learn to sing so that your ears are more connected to your hands. Having a decent ear is a must for singers and I’ve found it very helpful for my banjo playing to work on developing my ear.
If you didn’t work in music, what would you do instead?
I’ve always fantasized running a New Zealand coffee shop that sells baked goods. It’s got to be a waterfront cafe so that I can wake up early, go for a surf, and then make coffee and baked goods for people.
What would a perfect day as an artist and creator look like to you?
I love the days where you’re not sitting in a van for 10 hours. Any day where the drive is short and you get to play music with your friends for people who’re listening is a very good day! Throw in some vegetables with dinner and a little private spot to practice some before the show and I’m positively delighted.
Photo Credit: Louise Bichan