By Kathy Waters

Special to the Beacon

Plymouth’s next First Friday rings in the Christmas season downtown with a December 5 event inside the Riverview Café with musician Eddie Bowen playing the keyboard and providing vocal entertainment from 6 through 8 p.m.

Mr. Bowen will be performing a collage of Christmas music and song plus an array of 60s and 70s big hits. When asked to name his favorite group from that period, he shares, “It is a tossup between The Young Rascals and CCR. My three sons, ages 26 to 34, also truly enjoy the big hits of the 60s and 70s. My overall favorite group is a Christian rock band, Petra. Their original Christian music grabbed the hearts of the young, while also blessing their souls.” I asked if he earns his living with his music, and he replies, “Not in 50 years. It’s pure joy and therapy for me at this point in my life.”

In the summer of 1973, he had a popular 45 record, ‘A Handful of Friends’ which was big in Atlanta.

In the 80s his brothers joined him, and they became ‘The Bowen Brothers Band.’ Eddie says, “We were one of the first rocking Christian groups. I wrote most of the songs we performed. I have some music, three albums that I recorded myself. They can be found on I Tunes and YouTube – Eddie Bowen’s ‘Sacred Sweets,’ ‘Illuminator,’ and ‘Whisper in the Wind,’ all Christian music.”

He continues, “Occasionally my brothers and I get together and play a little music. Our sons sometime join us. We call it Bowen Brothers, 2nd Edition. Music is still my favorite pastime and hobby. My vocal cords seem to have not aged, along with the rest of me – at least so far. I am grateful I get to sing. I am blessed to have my wife, Kathy, of 48 years and three fine sons who live in the area...”