This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(March 2014) |
James van Buren Fowler(June 29, 1959 – March 8, 2014) was an American rock and roll andbluesguitar player fromAtlanta, Georgia.He was the lead guitarist forSouthern rockbandDrivin' n' Cryin'from 1988 to 1993, and had previously toured withR.E.M.[1]
Buren Fowler | |
|---|---|
 Fowler withDrivin N Cryinin 1991 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Van Buren Fowler |
| Born | June 29, 1959 Decatur, Georgia,U.S. |
| Origin | Decatur, Georgia |
| Died | March 8, 2014(aged 54) Athens, Georgia,U.S. |
| Genres | Southern rock |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, guitar technician |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Formerly of | Drivin N Cryin |
Biography
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Fowler toured withR.E.M.in the mid-1980s, as a guitar technician forPeter Buck,and later as a featured rhythm guitarist on the band's tours in 1986 and 1987.
Fowler subsequently joinedDrivin N Cryin,a band that had frequently opened for and toured with R.E.M. Fowler stayed with Drivin' n' Cryin' until 1994, releasing three records and touring internationally. Fowler departed from the main lineup of Drivin' n' Cryin' when leaderKevn Kinneydecided to scale down the group'sSouthern rocksound.
Fowler, a lifelong, avid baseball fan, relocated toLouisville, Kentuckyto work with sports clients, includingLouisville Slugger.Repairing, teaching "rock school" at Mom's Music, and building custom guitars, there, he began perfecting his trade craft. After nearly a decade, Fowler returned to Georgia. Back in the peach state he resumed guitar tech work and repair, while playing regionally in his own projects and also with other bands. In addition to teaching guitar. Fowler was succeeded by his children, Ian Fowler and Van Fowler, in 1992 and 1987 respectively.
Fowler briefly reunited with his former bandmates when a 2012 documentary,Scarred but Smarter: Life 'n Times of Driving' n' Cryin',was filmed about the band. Fowler joined them in being honored by theGeorgia General Assemblywho publicly recognized the band for its contribution to the state's music heritage and community in 2011 with House Resolution 387.[2]He also reunited, most recently, with R.E.M.'sPeter Buckfor some live dates when Buck returned to Georgia with his own band, late in 2013.
After experiencing health problems stemming from multiple physical issues in the past two years, Fowler died in his sleep in the early hours of March 8, 2014.[3]
Discography
editWithDrivin' n' Cryin':
- Whisper Tames the Lion(Jan 1988) U.S. No. 130
- Mystery Road(March 1989)
- Fly Me Courageous(Jan 1991) U.S. No. 90
- Live on Fire(EP) (1991; live tracks fromSix Flags Over GeorgiaMarch 1991)
- Smoke(Feb 1993) U.S. No. 95
- Wrapped in Sky(Aug 1995)
- Ultimate Collection(Aug 2000)
WithKevn Kinney:
- MacDougal Blues(1990)
References
edit- ^van Buren Fowler."van Buren Fowler obituary".Wagesfuneralhome.com.Retrieved2014-03-17.
- ^"House Resolution 387"(PDF).March 11, 2014. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2014-03-11.
- ^"Buren Fowler, former Drivin' N Cryin' guitarist, dies | The Music Scene".www.accessatlanta.com. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-03-14.Retrieved2014-03-17.
External links
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