The “Voice of Newgrass” and Doobie Brothers bassist shares details on the band’s new album
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
July 7, 2025
John Cowan is a celebrated bassist and vocalist best known as the “Voice of Newgrass” and for his bass playing with the Doobie Brothers. A member of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, he has collaborated with many of the biggest names in music including Victor Wooten, Zac Brown, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, The Moody Blues, Alison Kraus, Bela Fleck, and Garth Brooks. John’s career took off in Louisville, KY, in the early ‘70s as a member of the progressive bluegrass ensemble New Grass Revival. In the ‘90s, he briefly joined the Doobie Brothers for three years before making several critically acclaimed solo albums throughout the 2000s and into the present day, the most recent being 2024’s Fiction. After rejoining the Doobies in 2010, John has since maintained his successful solo career alongside their global touring schedule, written his 2024 memoir titled Hold to a Dream, and released a debut album with The HercuLeons in March 2025.
Watch our interview with John!
