January 16, 2018 • 36 mins
Imagine being in charge of Jake's life on the road. This is the guy who's done just that for the last 13 years! God Love Greg Fowler.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, this is Jake Owen and this is Good Company.
Good Company. Welcome to Good Company, a podcast where we
talk about everything under the sun, friends, good times, and company.
Now here's your host. What's up, Y'all's Jake and I
(00:23):
am back with Good Company. I can't even begin to
tell you, guys just the response that we've already got
from this podcast starting a few weeks back. I mean,
it is unbelievably overwhelming to hear the positive response we're
getting from y'all. And I'm so excited to share these
small little stories, my friendships with people, family members. I mean,
the possibilities are endless where we're going with this, and
(00:45):
after the first few weeks, it just feels so great,
uh to know that you guys are enjoying what we're doing.
So with that said, this week is really special for
me because I'm really looking forward to introducing you all.
Just someone that some of you all that are fans
of mine might have seen throughout all the years I've
been on the road. My tour manager, Mr. Greg Fowler.
He uh is is not just a tour manager. He
(01:07):
is almost like a father to me on the road. Um.
He's actually the same age as my dad and he's
been out there on the road with me going on
thirteen years. And Um, Greg has been driving back and
forth from Fort Payne, Alabama for thirteen years. Every time
we leave, every time we load up the bus to
head out of town, Greg gets in his car from
Fort Paine, Alabama and drives, drives up to Nashville and
(01:31):
hops on the bus and heads out. And I thought
it would just be really special to talk to Greg
not only about his relationship with myself and what we've
gone through in our thirteen years and what he's seen
me do and accomplished and what we've accomplished together, um,
but also talk to him about his previous life, which,
by the way, he was the guy the same guy
is for me out with the band you might have
(01:52):
heard of before, called Alabama. He was with Alabama for
twenty five years. He tells a great story about how
he met Alabama when they were playing at the Bowery
in South Carolina and Myrtle Beach, and he was with
them from the time they were at the Bowery to
the time they went to the Hall of Fame. And UM,
you can need a lot of people in your life,
and I have definitely met a lot of folks, but
(02:13):
I've never met anybody quite like Greg Fowler. So, uh,
we're gonna go ahead and get an old Greg Fowler
on the phone down to Fort Payne, Alabama, to see
what's going on. Hey Greg Fowler, Yes, sir Ah, there
he is. There's that voice. Oh man, what's up, dude,
Oh Man, just trying to stay warm, No kidding, Alabama,
(02:34):
budd War Eagle, War Eagle. Happy New Year, by the way,
Happy New Year to you, man. I was telling everybody's
funny you mentioned down there in Alabama. I was just
introing this this talk today and I was telling everybody
how for thirteen years since I've known you, you've been
packing up that that car um, the old old Brownie,
(02:55):
that all those mobile and and every time when we
leave on the bus and head out of town, you
drive all the way up, you know, across the mountain
there and Chattaneer you and make your way up period
in Nashville. And uh, we've seen a lot of road together,
haven't we. Yes, we have. And it's it's been well
worth the drive. To my friend, all the years that
we've been doing this, from the early early days with
(03:17):
the with the one bus and the trailer and twelve
of us on there, you know, packed in like sardines
and living together on the road a month or two
at a time and sharing each other's um everything, Yeah,
good and bad, but it's it's been quite a ride
at your half. Well, I can't even tell you how
excited I am to talk to you today. I've been
(03:38):
so fortunate man to um not only spend my time
in my life with you over these last thirteen years,
but um, I've also been really fortunate over the last
few few weeks since I started this podcast to talk
to people in my life that just means so much
to me. I started talking to my twin brother on
the first podcast, and we piped in my best friend
Marty Fish, you know, and then follow that up with
(04:00):
my grandmother and grandfather talking about their love for each
other and how they've been married for seventy years. And
then uh, our last podcast, we caught up with my
buddy Larry Fleet, who's a great singer songwriter that um
we're trying to help out and get the word out
for him. But UM, I've been really excited to at
some point get you on the phone. So when I
called you and asked you if you'd be a part
(04:21):
of this, and you said yes. I think there's probably
nobody more excited than than me it to just kind
of pick your brain and talk to you for a
little bit, So I hope you don't mind. Man, we
get to sink kicked off and intro you to everybody
out there. Hey, my pleasure and and likewise, my friend
has been quite an honor and a ride to have
been with you these past you know, thirteen years, and
(04:42):
I look forward to too many more. Sir, Well, you're
you're a good man, Gregg Fowler, and I I want
to start off by saying, I'm in the studio right
now with UM, with our buddy Keith Kaufman, who helps
us put this thing together each and every week. And
UM he mentioned something that I think is very important
to start off with. Outside of all the you know,
I'd already in my intro I mentioned how you worked
(05:02):
with Alabama, you worked with me, But aside from all
that and what you've done musically, I think what's so
special about you, Greg is the heart that you have
inside of you and the way you treat people and
the way that for years and years everyone that comes
in contact with you just absolutely thinks of you as
a as a buddy. You're everybody's buddy. More importantly, it's
what you've done over the last thirty five years for St.
(05:26):
Jude Children's Hospital. And Keith Kaufman mentioned when I told
him I was getting you on the phone today that
he just ran into you at Memphis at St. Jude,
And I just want everybody else to know out there,
and if you don't mind, kind of explain your association
with St. Jude Children's Hospital over over the last thirty
five years and how you started that with Randy and
the Country Cares program, and I think that's super important
(05:47):
to kick it off that way. Well, thank you, Jake,
and and also the Keys who's been very instrumental and
being a part of the of the Country Cares program
as well, and spearheaded by Terry Watson, who years back
was the music director at kz L A and in
Los Angeles, and she came involved became part of this
(06:08):
wonderful program that we have which celebrates, you know, the
hope of of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Methis, Tennessee,
through the efforts of Country Radio all across America, and
it's just the most phenomenal thing that I've ever been
a part of and hope to continue to be a
part of. I think if if I'm ever remembered for anything, uh,
(06:30):
and in my life, I want to be remembered as
being a part of developing and helping to develop along
with Randyo and of course the Country carest program and
and to touch on it as you said, we Randy
and myself saw Danny Thomas speak in Atlanta, Georgia at
the invitation of the late Rubarb Jones, who many people
in radio no was wonderful man and and very He
(06:53):
was an icon as far as I'm concerned, and in
country radio, Rubarb is no longer with us, but we
were in fighter to Atlanta, we saw and heard Danny
Thomas's inspirational speech. Uh, and Randy on the way back said, Greg,
we need to get involved somehow and help the kids
to St. Jude and what should we do? And I said, well,
I really don't know, and he said, well let's try
(07:14):
to figure it out. Um. Danny Thomas was scheduled to
speak to the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, which those
of you out there that aren't familiar with how country
radio's seminar works, I'll tell you it's the biggest country
um event there is. And it's the gathering of programmers
and broadcasters and so forth and country radio from all
(07:36):
over the all over the nation. In Nashville anyway, Danny
Thomas was supposed to speak, he got sick, he wasn't
able to do it, and asked Randy if he would
to speak on behalf of the hospital and and and
hopefully it's something that could be done through the efforts
of country radio to help the kids of St. Jude.
And he did, and from there we took it on
(07:56):
as a as a real cause, if you will. Country
radio responded beautifully. It took a while. The first year
was not so great. We had to kind of put
it together hurriedly. We did a satellite broadcast, which quite
honestly didn't work that well. But we went back to
the drawing board the following year, and and that was
we determined that the only way to make this really
really work was to get the country radio involved at
(08:19):
the grassroots level and every market that uh that we're
sick kids were and the kids that needed help, and
and and we did, and from that point on it grew,
and as of today there's over I think there's been
over seven hundred and fifty million dollars raised for the
Country Cares for St. Drew Kids program, and that is
absolutely phenomenally done with the efforts of not only country
(08:42):
radio and radiothons, which is a word that didn't even
exist a radiothon. There was telethons, but this was done
exclusively with country radio. From from that point on until today,
over seven fifty million dollars has been raised. And also
not only with the radio, but also through the efforts
of the record labels, which has been we couldn't have
(09:03):
done it without that, and also as well with artists,
artists such as yourself, young artists who have have come
long since the program was started to embrace the cause
as well. And and again I speak specifically as as
of you too, because you have donated generously from your
efforts with the J. Cohen Foundation. You have generated and
(09:25):
and and contributed quite a few thousands of dollars to
the to the St. Jud program and also the St.
Jude Children's Research Hospital, and and it just continues to grow,
and I'm very excited about it. I really am, and
it will continue to grow and and Randy Allen, who
spearheaded the whole program, if you will, has continues to
do that. It's a it's a wonderful event. We just
(09:47):
have the annual seminar which was attended by I think
almost I think it was almost seven hundred people there
Saturday night at the Peabody Hotel and Brad Paisley was there.
He performed, Randy performed. We bring in songwriters to perform.
You've been there. You've been a big part of this,
continue to be a big part of it. And my
hat saw to you too, Jake Oh for what you've
done to help not only the St. Jude calls, but
(10:10):
others as well. And I'm proud of it. I'm proud
of that, and I'm proud of you, sir well. I
appreciate that. Greg. I uh, you know, one of the
reasons we call the show good company is um it's
I like talking to people that are good company. And
that's exactly what you are. And that's so special. How
you speak of uh St Jude not for those out
there quickly as since we're on that point of St. Jude,
(10:32):
you know, almost as you said, seven d fifty million,
almost close to a billion dollars has been raised. And
it's not I think for those out there to know
as well when they hear on these radio stations each
year that the St. Jude Radio the on calling and
be a partner and hope be a partner and hope
you hear that over and over and over and for
those out there that might not understand fully what that is.
First off, as you know, Greg, and we can share
this that the few times that we that I've been
(10:53):
over there to the hospital and and learning knowledge of
how they run that place, it's run completely off of
the nations a million dollars a day it costs to
run that hospital. It might be more now since the
last couple of years that I've been there. You know.
It's not just the children that are getting the help
and from the doctors and things. It's the families as
(11:14):
well that that aren't understanding why their their daughter son
has this or where the brothers and sisters you know,
are getting counseling through counselors that will teach them to
understand why their little brother is sick, you know, and
they cover every every possible corner that you can cover
in order to make sure that these families can get
back to live in a normal life. With that said, Greg,
(11:36):
I just I'm glad you spoke on on on that
because I think it's important out there for everybody to
know how important St. Jude is, but also to know
the kind of heart that you have and and uh
what you've done with your extracurricular time, because Lord knows
I keep you busy. Well well, I thank you, Jake.
I appreciate that. I think if anybody can speak of
being busy, that would have to be you, because you
(11:59):
you're on fire all the time, my friend and and
and I take uh, I take great pride. And I've
told you this many times, I said, Man, I have
sometimes I don't know how you do it either, because
you're always involved in something and you and you're you're
on You're on fire doing uh, doing whatever it needs
to be done, whether it's your career or as as
you said, involved with charitable causes through the foundation, the
(12:22):
Jake go And Foundation, UM, whether it's a golf tournaments, concerts,
helping others, working uh with other artists, entertainers, UM, people
in in our industry, people not in the industry, to
do things that that count as well. And I take
great pride in saying that on h on your behalf
(12:42):
as well, because you, too, sir, are a champion. Well,
what you said is correct, Greg when you said if
you could be remembered for anything, you want to be
remembered for doing things like you know, being a part
of St. Jude and charitable causes. And that's exactly how
I feel. You know, we do stay busy with this
music career, but at the end of the day, you know,
nobody's gonna remember how many number one songs we had,
(13:02):
or how many um, nobody's gonna remember how many C
M A or a C M A words we want,
or anybody's one for that matter. They remember you for
the kind of character you have. And none of us
are perfect. You know that. You know that about me, man,
I ain't no perfect gentleman, but uh, I wake up
every day and strive to be and I surround myself
with people like you and um. And when you surround
(13:22):
yourself with good people in good company, that's that's that's
the best you can do and strive to be the
best human being you can be. So I, UM, I'm
proud to have you in my life and I wanted
to to touch on your life and how I really
got to know you. And um, we we met each
other in a studio in two thousand and six, so
(13:44):
a lot a lot of years ago. I was recording
my first album and I wrote a song called you
Can Thank Dixie, and um, it's a great song I
wrote with my friend Jimmy Richie and Kendall Marvel and uh,
I've always been such a huge fan of Alabama. UM.
Side story, we found out, you know, I took my
girlfriend in Tallahassee in two thousand when I was back
in college, two thousand and one at Florida State University,
(14:06):
Leon County Civic Center, and I'll never forget saving my
money to go take her. Her name was jin and
uh we went and I had seats almost up to
the top. That's the only ones I could afford. And uh,
I could not wait to go see Alabama on the
farewell to her. I remember that night, and we've chatted
about this. This is before I ever knew you, but
I I was up there watching the show and all
(14:28):
of a sudden, Randy just almost fell over. He couldn't
even he couldn't move and next thing I know, this
big dude and and and a littleer guy came came
out and kind of got up under his arm pits
and walked him off stage. And for the next twenty
or thirty minutes, Jeff Cook and Teddy and they kind
of took over and just played some songs. And come
(14:49):
to find out, after we got to know each other,
that was you on stage. You were there. You you
you took him off. Randy was suffering from vertigo at
the time, and you took him off, and so we
we got to talk about that years later. But when
I met you there at the studio on that song,
I think Dixie I had asked Randy Owen. I mean,
(15:09):
I couldn't believe it here. I was a kid, never
even put a song out on the radio. I was
just making my first album. I don't even knew who
I was. And we sent that song to Randy and said,
would you mind singing on this? And sure enough Randy
Own and the good old Greg Fowler showed up at
the studio that day. If you remember, I had a
kidney stone, you did, I do remember, And we drove
up in Brown Mr Brown, Yeah, old Brown. But I
(15:34):
sure do remember it. And uh, I got some cuts
of your Forthcoming CD from Mr Keith Gayle, who is
now Jake Owen's manager. Standing right here shout out kg KG.
He sent me a copy of it, and I listened
to all these songs and I thought, Wow, this guy
is really, really good, and you had some some great
(15:56):
stuff on. They're already starting with me and some of
the other cuts. But I thought, I don't forget yeehaw Greg. Oh,
nobody can forget. And that's another story, but yeah, I do,
and I remember that. And Randy heard it too, and
he said he was he loved your voice and and
just the whole idea of it all. And he said, well, sure,
(16:17):
I'd be happy to go up there and sing but
old Jake, and he did and it never met you either.
And so we got in the old those mobile and
drove it up to National and went in the studio
and and I remember you guys were in the booth together.
You were that was the coolest day. We had a
microphone set up in front of each other, and he
was looking at me and I was looking at him.
I'd sing a line, He'd sing a line for those
(16:37):
out there. You can check that song out on my
first album, Starting with Me. It's called You Can Thank Dixie.
I believe it's the last song on the record, but uh,
I gotta tell you know being a fan, I mean,
come on, Randy Owen and Alabama were the rock stars
of country music from the eighties all the way up
until when was the farewell to our two thousand I mean,
(16:58):
you guys had how many number one songs? I think
forty three number ones? And I believe we're I think Alabama.
I was told by Tony Conaway. It was also at
the seminar this weekend that I think Alabama is among
the top five artists in country music with the most
number ones all time forever. Wow wow, Well, speaking of
(17:21):
number ones in Alabama songs, Greg, that's another thing that
people might not know about you, is all the years
that you rode the bus and and we're with those guys.
You actually were a part of writing quite a few
of those number one songs, weren't you. We had a
good run. Yeah. Well, and the great thing and for
those of you out there listening, you may not know
about bus life and and and and so forth. When
(17:43):
you're on a tour bus and these are those beautiful
machines that run up and down the road. And basically
it's a submarine on wheels, is what it is. Bavarino
on wheels, and they are your home, as you it's
fifty two ft long with a hundred and thirty ft
of ego inside of it. Well well said. But anyway,
when you're on there after a show, and usually between shows,
(18:04):
you truly don't have a whole lot to do. I mean,
you can, you can watch you know, TV and which
I mean they're well equipped and I mean unbelievable um
vehicles on homes on wheels, But there's a lot of
time when you're just you're just bored. You don't really
have a lot going on between shows, and and you
have time to maybe get pull out on acoustic guitar
(18:26):
and sit there and go through songs and ideas and
write and so forth. And we did a lot of that.
We did. We had times when we were pretty much
just out rolling away and and we we came up
with some with some the song titles and ideas. And
I was fortunate enough to be around some guys that
were master craftsman and writing and and so forth and
(18:47):
performing and I was able to jump in on a
few things and and we had some success to it,
which You're did well you you you're you're quite humble Greg.
But Greg was a part of songs like there's a
sad little getting moon shining down on me and you
you did uh We'll go dancing shagging on the bull
(19:09):
lou bar. But my my one of my favorites I
think that you were a part of, Greg was how
do you fall in Love? Yeah? That's thank you? How
do you see? I do? So give us a little
backstory quickly on on how you how you guys came
up with that idea and that one came about. I
had written lyrics. It was really for my daughter Jordan's,
(19:30):
and uh, I thought, you know, she was almost a
teenager at the time, and I felt, one day she's
gonna get married, and I'm thinking, you know, how would it?
How would it? How do you? How do you say that?
How do you feel? You know? I mean everyone feels
love in different ways? And I thought, I'm gonna just
come up with some some lines and my ideas of
(19:52):
of how that would be best portrayed. And I did,
and I wrote pretty much, I guess of the lyrics
of the song itself. And then Teddy had had this
melody I mean, and we hadn't even talked about any
song or anything. I had just written it down, almost
like a poem. And he had this mentally with no lyrics.
(20:14):
And we were in the back of the bus what
days we said, traveling, you know, rolling along, and I said, man,
I've got an idea, and Teddy had this mentally and
the lyrics absolutely fit. I mean, it was unbelievable how
the lyrics fit. That's how things work out. Special songs
work that way. And then Randy got involved and really
made it. I mean, he took it to another level
(20:35):
when Randy Owen got involved in it, and he had
some of the coolest lines you know, of all as
we perfect. As you know, as a songwriter, you you
start off in one direction and you may take it
totally in another realm and or changed you know, lyrics
as you go, and so you feel like you've gotten
it right before you actually recorded. So that's how that's
how it went down. And ironically enough and and fittingly,
(20:58):
I guess um, when Jordan eventually did get married, Um,
that song was part of our The Father Daughter dance.
That is great. It was kind of cool that it
all worked out. You know, speaking of how it worked out,
did you would you ever thought you would have spent
twenty five years on the road with a guy named
Randy Owen and then the next fifteen on the road
(21:20):
with a guy named Jake Owen. How where is that that?
Well know? And what's ironic about that too, is you're
Owen O W E N And everybody wants to put
an ass on the I'm sure you know about this
forever with Randy Owen. It was Randy Owens. Yeah, Jake Owens.
I've been Jack Owens too. I remember we played that
(21:40):
show in Baltimore and uh I was on It was
I was with Brad Paisley. We showed up and uh
I looked up at the marquee. It said Brad Paisley
was special guest Jack Owen and oh yeah, we took
a picture. Oh Jack Owens. Well, Jackie done, well, sir,
thank you your greg. Uh I kind of I kind
(22:02):
of briefly told um everybody in my intro how you
you started in radio and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. You're
also a Radio Hall of Famer, by the way for
those out there. Yeah you didn't know that, did you,
John Anthony? Uh Hall of Shamer. Yeah, and uh, during
that time is when you kind of you got involved
(22:22):
in knowing the boys in Alabama they were playing the
Bowery and then about that time they were they were
got signed and they put out that first album which
had songs like what uh my homes in Alabama to have?
Uh you know, uh, why lady, why all those big
hit songs, and um, they needed a guy to go
(22:43):
out on the road with them and help them with
with what You're great at radio and so uh you
have a had a wife and and and children. I
think you had j at the time, and your beautiful
wife Shirley UM that not only said yeah to you
then and supported you, but you uh, you guys made
made the move and um and you you you went
(23:03):
out on the road with Alabama and started that career
with them. And I mean, shoot, we could talk for
hours about everything you know you you did with Alabama.
But I think what was special is when you told
me how you you said, I went with I was
there from the Bowery to the Hall of Fame, and yeah, yeah,
you know there's so many accolades that we could sit
(23:24):
here in highlight that you've done. But I think, to me, man,
what I really wanted to talk to you about in
the next you know, eight or ten minutes that we've
got left here is we could see here, like I said,
talk about everything you've done with Alabama, talk about everything
that you've done with me. But what's important to me
about you, Greg is the kind of person you are.
And I think that's what we tend to talk about
here on Good Company, is that you've been married for
how long to Shirley now? Two years? Forty two years?
(23:48):
You know. We talked to my grandparents. We talked to
my grandparents. Yeah, I talked to my grandparents about their
marriage of seventy years and asked them how they did it,
you know, and they gave us their insight on that.
And um, I just I think it's important for those
out there that are listening that might not necessarily be
(24:09):
in the music business, but are that kind of father
that has to travel each week or they they spend
time away from their kids. And um, I've not only
watched you be the utmost professional out on the road
and and help me and in Alabama for that matter,
become the the artists and and do the excuse me,
do the things that we've done. But to me, what
(24:30):
is so just unbelievably appealing about you, greg is is
the kind of father that you've always been and the
kind of husband that you've been to your wife. And
I just thought maybe you could share maybe some thoughts
on how you've maintained that over the years for those
out there that deal with the same thing, that deal with,
you know, maybe being away from their husband or wife,
(24:52):
um for for three or four days a week and
come home and then go back go from work to
insta dad, you know. And I know there's times you've
you've talked talked about how now I bring this up,
not not to break your heart again, but I know
you've told me about how you still hurt your hurts
you sometimes when Jordan, you're your pretty little daughter was
homecoming Queen Fort Payne, Alabama, and you weren't there to
(25:13):
see her be and I wish I could have been
there for yeah, old John Anderson. But I'm talking a
lot here. I'll let you speak, but I just there's
so much that intrigues me about you, Gregg, and the
kind of person you are and why I love being
around you. And I thought you could share some insight
with those out there on how you can always maintain
(25:33):
your job and do the best as you do and
show how you do it, but also be an unbelievable
father figure and a husband. Well you said the bar
really high, Everyboddy, I can probably do that. Oh and I'll,
by the way, after further review, I've been married almost
forty six years. After further review, was Shirley standing right
(25:53):
there with her hands like going four six Gregg four six.
I had to do the quick math on that was no.
First of all, I give creditarily for for so much
of it, because as you know, you're you're a parent.
You know you have a beautiful daughter, earl, and and
when you're on the road you miss a lot of things.
But the reason you're on the road is to be
(26:16):
able to provide for your family and to take care
of the of your children and and your and your
spouse or whomever, and and it just makes it's not
always easy, certainly. I mean, I know, growing up we
had twins at home and I'm on the road. And
when the older Jay, our oldest son was, he was
you know, maybe twelve and the kids were born, and
(26:38):
and it was just it was tough, you know, because
we weren't traveling a lot at the time, and still
do for that matter, but you know, there was and
then as the kids were there getting sick, somebody's got
to take them to the doctor, you know, and or
school events going on. There's homework, there's there's just things
that are part of a family's life as you have
(26:59):
children and they continue to grow. And it's not without
a great deal of sacrifice, certainly on everyone's part. But
I specifically credit that to her and to anyone who's
in that position, whether you're on the road as a
as a in a band, or an artist or a
traveling individual, or especially you know spolks and our folks
(27:20):
in the military. I mean, nothing speaks louder than that
and the sacrifices that have to be done. And I
was very fortunate to have a support group my wife
and sometimes some neighbors would help out, you know, and
she had to do things as well, and and that
enabled me to do my job and to do it
with with good conscience that I was doing the right
(27:43):
thing as far as trying to you know, provide and
take care of my family. And at the same time,
I couldn't have done it. I don't think without the
help that I was getting back home and the support
I was getting back home. And you know what, it
was homework with the kids, you know, p t a
me these things, and I just couldn't be there for
and and you know, and it just it speaks volumes
(28:06):
about having someone to help you, to help you make
dreams come true. Really and uh, as I said, I
couldn't have done it without her. Well, you definitely have
a have a great wife, and surely I've seen throughout
all these years how she supported you. And uh, you
know what, maybe maybe Greg part of the reason you've
been married so long because you have been gone all
(28:26):
the time. No, it's true, Oh trust me, Yeah, amen
to that. By friends. Yeah, we've had that discussion too,
because sometimes when we're not on the road, that you know,
during the holidays or whatever, we're off for a couple
of months, you know, a month or so, it's like
she's going like, uh, you think it's about to go
back out. Everyone, Well, you know, we all have our lives,
(28:50):
you know, collectively and individually, and and regiments and schedules
and and and so forth. Um, so yeah, sometimes you
can get a little you can be the kitchen to mom,
you know. But it's always good to govern. It's great
to come back. You know. Well, I I know she
probably loves loves seeing you man when you come home
as much as I like sien you. When you hop
(29:10):
on the bus and we head out of town. It
reminds me of that old song. Ironically enough that I
sat here my last podcast with my good old buddy
Larry Fleet, and we sang that song called the Conversation
and uh, and he says, um about whole Hank, He's like,
you know, he'd be the first one on the bus
and ready to ride. And so that's like you, Greg Man,
(29:32):
You're you're you're like old Hank, the first one on
the bus and ready to ride every time. Yeah, like
straight at old Troubadour. You know, I'm that guy too,
you know. But but I gotta say something to man
if I could, Um, and I can because I got
the phone. But you also and and I mean this,
as I said, we were saying, Jude this weekend, and
(29:54):
there are a lot of artists or that have come
along since you've gotten your record deal. And and they
look up to you too, man. They look they looked
at Jake Owen for advice and want to know what
what can I do? How can I do this? And uh,
I think sometimes we forget our place in the in
the in the royal order of life. And you are
very well respected in this industry man, and and and
(30:17):
people I know. I spoke with Drake Quiet, I spoke
with him and Lance and some of these guys that
that are have been you know, on the scene much
less than you have. And and do they want to
how does Jake Owen do it? And uh? And do
your credit? Man? You you're well respected in this industry
as well, sir, Well thanks man. Like I said earlier,
(30:39):
it's a good company. I've got good people around me
that helped me each and every day, and you and
my friend are are one of those folks that's right
there beside me along the way. And I can't thank
you enough for all the years that you've given me.
And we've got a lot ahead of us, that's for
sure too. And it's funny to think after all these years,
thirteen years on the road together, I've I've seen your
(31:00):
hair get a little bit more gray. And uh, and
I've earned a couple in my chin. I'm starting to
get a couple coming in every now and then in
the Chin region. Uh A lab yeah, like a black
lab man. But I I started this this podcast. UM,
I was very thankful when my friend, um Mr Bobby
(31:22):
Bones asked me, Um. He said, man, I think you've
got a lot to say, and I think you've got
things you can share with people. And when he said that,
it really flattered. It was really flattering for me because
I thought to myself, you know what, I do have
a lot to share that I'd love for people out
there to hear about more than what they get to
see us do on a daily basis on the road.
Just get out of a tour bus, walk on stage
(31:43):
sound check saying wave to the crowd, see you later.
You know that there's a lot about our lives. They're
so special, UM, and I have been able to spend
a bunch of special moments with you. You've helped me
earn a lot of those special moments. And UM, I
can't thank you and no for the time that you've
given me today to talk to me. I can't thank
you enough for the time that you've given me throughout
(32:05):
my career. And uh, I hope you uh tell Shirley
back down home there in Alabama. I hope you're getting
some good home cooking witer down there. We're back at
it on the road here shortly. So I I love you, man,
and uh, Like I said, we could have talked for
hours on everything that you've accomplished in your life. But
I thought it was just gonna be fun to chat
with you and connect people out there that have seen
(32:26):
you side stage, they've seen me pull you up on
stage and sing Alabama songs throughout the years. But um,
there's nobody man on this earth. It's this that's more
proud to have you as a friend than I am.
And uh, and I love you man. You're like a
second dad to me, and I appreciate everything you've ever
given me. Well, man, I appreciate you saying that too,
and and I really do and it likewise, my friend,
(32:49):
I wanted to say one thing too. I was thinking
about it and I missed it earlier when I left,
I mightn't leave Alabama lead fairwell that we were pretty
much done and had the opportunity to go to work
with you and Keith Gail who's your current manager? Who
is the manager or was the guy that I spoke with?
You just played in Portland's You've done a guitar the
(33:12):
poll I think the radio of it in Portland, Oregon
and Keiths. I asked Keith and said, Keith, do you think, um,
what do you think of Jake Man? I mean, there's
an opportunity there, but I don't really know him. He
doesn't know me. And kie said, I think it would
be a big mistake if you didn't take the opportunity,
if you'd have the opportunity to go to work with
Jake Howen. And so that's seal the deal for me Man.
(33:33):
And then, as it would luck would have it, Parker
Fowler worked under Keith. That's at Sonys. He was his guy,
my son who's now with Triple Tigers and in Nashville
and they've got a Russell Dickerson song that there's they're
moving up the charts pretty well, but shout out Russell Dickerson,
Shout out Russell. And now it's funny how things weren't
(33:55):
Because Keith Gail was also one of those gentlemen who
was instrumental in the early early days of the St
Jude Country Tears radio program when he was in Philadelphia.
So it's just it's I running how things find a
way in and out of our lives. And shout out
to KG again too, because he's somebody that's been in
my life for a long time and and he's done
(34:17):
our lives and and here we are. It's it's it
is a family, and it is a good company, and
you have a great team around you, and I couldn't
be more proud to be considered a part of the
Jake Owen family. Well, I appreciate you, buddy, and I
look forward to seeing any soon when we uh, when
we get back out there. And uh we as we
started this talking about charity work, we you know, we've
(34:40):
chatted recently about you and I really um, you know,
really getting even more involved with our foundation and building
up some more areas where we're able to raise awareness,
raise dollars and as you mentioned, with other artists and people,
getting them involved in teaching them how they can be
helpful for raising awareness for these charitable falls is uh,
it's about it's about what we do with our lives
(35:02):
and the legacy we leave, not not the smoking mirrors
and lights and and everything that we that y'all see
out on the road. But uh, I love you man.
Thank you so much for taking time to chat with
us on the Good Company podcast. You are definitely good company.
Greg Fowler, thank you, Jake Going and oh Man, Well,
and I know you're the you're the you're the Auburn,
(35:22):
Alabama guy. So war regal to you down there, and
maybe you'll get him next year. Well, thanks, buddy, We're trying.
It's always the next year, but we're gonna get him.
We'll get him, all right. Say hey to the fam
down there. If you see those boys from Alabama running
around Fort Payne, tell him all old Jake said, hey,
well I will. And Randy also speaking of that, Reddy
told me that you say, uh, well, we we're together
(35:44):
on Saturday night. So there you have it. Well, thanks man,
I appreciate it. I'll see you soon, buddy. All right, Thanks,
all right, see you later a bye see you, buddy.
Well that was pretty special. I love that guy. Like
I said, I can't I can't express enough how he's
really been like a second father to me on the
road and for a kid like myself that was twenty
three years old and I got my record deal. I
(36:06):
still feel like I'm twenty three in a way. Maybe
a maturity wise, I don't know. I feel like I'm
growing up as as much as I can a year
after year. But I learned a lot. I've learned so
much from him I've had. You know what a lot
of people don't understand is, UH, when you get on
a bus, like he said, and you ride down the road,
that's those are the times where you really reflect. You
reflect on the show you just played. You talk about
(36:27):
where you're going, where you've been, where you want to go.
And uh, Greg has been there for me through all
those times. And we've chatted about, you know, our life
goals together and and and how we can be better
as human beings. And UM, I'm thankful, and I think
everybody out there should be thankful for those kinds of
friends that they have in their life, and that truly
(36:48):
is good company. Appreciate you all again. Tuning in This
is Jake wolf Like
Hey, this is Jake Owen and this is Good Company.
Good Company. Welcome to Good Company, a podcast where we
talk about everything under the sun, friends, good times, and company.
Now here's your host. What's up, Y'all's Jake and I
(00:23):
am back with Good Company. I can't even begin to
tell you, guys just the response that we've already got
from this podcast starting a few weeks back. I mean,
it is unbelievably overwhelming to hear the positive response we're
getting from y'all. And I'm so excited to share these
small little stories, my friendships with people, family members. I mean,
the possibilities are endless where we're going with this, and
(00:45):
after the first few weeks, it just feels so great,
uh to know that you guys are enjoying what we're doing.
So with that said, this week is really special for
me because I'm really looking forward to introducing you all.
Just someone that some of you all that are fans
of mine might have seen throughout all the years I've
been on the road. My tour manager, Mr. Greg Fowler.
He uh is is not just a tour manager. He
(01:07):
is almost like a father to me on the road. Um.
He's actually the same age as my dad and he's
been out there on the road with me going on
thirteen years. And Um, Greg has been driving back and
forth from Fort Payne, Alabama for thirteen years. Every time
we leave, every time we load up the bus to
head out of town, Greg gets in his car from
Fort Paine, Alabama and drives, drives up to Nashville and
(01:31):
hops on the bus and heads out. And I thought
it would just be really special to talk to Greg
not only about his relationship with myself and what we've
gone through in our thirteen years and what he's seen
me do and accomplished and what we've accomplished together, um,
but also talk to him about his previous life, which,
by the way, he was the guy the same guy
is for me out with the band you might have
(01:52):
heard of before, called Alabama. He was with Alabama for
twenty five years. He tells a great story about how
he met Alabama when they were playing at the Bowery
in South Carolina and Myrtle Beach, and he was with
them from the time they were at the Bowery to
the time they went to the Hall of Fame. And UM,
you can need a lot of people in your life,
and I have definitely met a lot of folks, but
(02:13):
I've never met anybody quite like Greg Fowler. So, uh,
we're gonna go ahead and get an old Greg Fowler
on the phone down to Fort Payne, Alabama, to see
what's going on. Hey Greg Fowler, Yes, sir Ah, there
he is. There's that voice. Oh man, what's up, dude,
Oh Man, just trying to stay warm, No kidding, Alabama,
(02:34):
budd War Eagle, War Eagle. Happy New Year, by the way,
Happy New Year to you, man. I was telling everybody's
funny you mentioned down there in Alabama. I was just
introing this this talk today and I was telling everybody
how for thirteen years since I've known you, you've been
packing up that that car um, the old old Brownie,
(02:55):
that all those mobile and and every time when we
leave on the bus and head out of town, you
drive all the way up, you know, across the mountain
there and Chattaneer you and make your way up period
in Nashville. And uh, we've seen a lot of road together,
haven't we. Yes, we have. And it's it's been well
worth the drive. To my friend, all the years that
we've been doing this, from the early early days with
(03:17):
the with the one bus and the trailer and twelve
of us on there, you know, packed in like sardines
and living together on the road a month or two
at a time and sharing each other's um everything, Yeah,
good and bad, but it's it's been quite a ride
at your half. Well, I can't even tell you how
excited I am to talk to you today. I've been
(03:38):
so fortunate man to um not only spend my time
in my life with you over these last thirteen years,
but um, I've also been really fortunate over the last
few few weeks since I started this podcast to talk
to people in my life that just means so much
to me. I started talking to my twin brother on
the first podcast, and we piped in my best friend
Marty Fish, you know, and then follow that up with
(04:00):
my grandmother and grandfather talking about their love for each
other and how they've been married for seventy years. And
then uh, our last podcast, we caught up with my
buddy Larry Fleet, who's a great singer songwriter that um
we're trying to help out and get the word out
for him. But UM, I've been really excited to at
some point get you on the phone. So when I
called you and asked you if you'd be a part
(04:21):
of this, and you said yes. I think there's probably
nobody more excited than than me it to just kind
of pick your brain and talk to you for a
little bit, So I hope you don't mind. Man, we
get to sink kicked off and intro you to everybody
out there. Hey, my pleasure and and likewise, my friend
has been quite an honor and a ride to have
been with you these past you know, thirteen years, and
(04:42):
I look forward to too many more. Sir, Well, you're
you're a good man, Gregg Fowler, and I I want
to start off by saying, I'm in the studio right
now with UM, with our buddy Keith Kaufman, who helps
us put this thing together each and every week. And
UM he mentioned something that I think is very important
to start off with. Outside of all the you know,
I'd already in my intro I mentioned how you worked
(05:02):
with Alabama, you worked with me, But aside from all
that and what you've done musically, I think what's so
special about you, Greg is the heart that you have
inside of you and the way you treat people and
the way that for years and years everyone that comes
in contact with you just absolutely thinks of you as
a as a buddy. You're everybody's buddy. More importantly, it's
what you've done over the last thirty five years for St.
(05:26):
Jude Children's Hospital. And Keith Kaufman mentioned when I told
him I was getting you on the phone today that
he just ran into you at Memphis at St. Jude,
And I just want everybody else to know out there,
and if you don't mind, kind of explain your association
with St. Jude Children's Hospital over over the last thirty
five years and how you started that with Randy and
the Country Cares program, and I think that's super important
(05:47):
to kick it off that way. Well, thank you, Jake,
and and also the Keys who's been very instrumental and
being a part of the of the Country Cares program
as well, and spearheaded by Terry Watson, who years back
was the music director at kz L A and in
Los Angeles, and she came involved became part of this
(06:08):
wonderful program that we have which celebrates, you know, the
hope of of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Methis, Tennessee,
through the efforts of Country Radio all across America, and
it's just the most phenomenal thing that I've ever been
a part of and hope to continue to be a
part of. I think if if I'm ever remembered for anything, uh,
(06:30):
and in my life, I want to be remembered as
being a part of developing and helping to develop along
with Randyo and of course the Country carest program and
and to touch on it as you said, we Randy
and myself saw Danny Thomas speak in Atlanta, Georgia at
the invitation of the late Rubarb Jones, who many people
in radio no was wonderful man and and very He
(06:53):
was an icon as far as I'm concerned, and in
country radio, Rubarb is no longer with us, but we
were in fighter to Atlanta, we saw and heard Danny
Thomas's inspirational speech. Uh, and Randy on the way back said, Greg,
we need to get involved somehow and help the kids
to St. Jude and what should we do? And I said, well,
I really don't know, and he said, well let's try
(07:14):
to figure it out. Um. Danny Thomas was scheduled to
speak to the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, which those
of you out there that aren't familiar with how country
radio's seminar works, I'll tell you it's the biggest country
um event there is. And it's the gathering of programmers
and broadcasters and so forth and country radio from all
(07:36):
over the all over the nation. In Nashville anyway, Danny
Thomas was supposed to speak, he got sick, he wasn't
able to do it, and asked Randy if he would
to speak on behalf of the hospital and and and
hopefully it's something that could be done through the efforts
of country radio to help the kids of St. Jude.
And he did, and from there we took it on
(07:56):
as a as a real cause, if you will. Country
radio responded beautifully. It took a while. The first year
was not so great. We had to kind of put
it together hurriedly. We did a satellite broadcast, which quite
honestly didn't work that well. But we went back to
the drawing board the following year, and and that was
we determined that the only way to make this really
really work was to get the country radio involved at
(08:19):
the grassroots level and every market that uh that we're
sick kids were and the kids that needed help, and
and and we did, and from that point on it grew,
and as of today there's over I think there's been
over seven hundred and fifty million dollars raised for the
Country Cares for St. Drew Kids program, and that is
absolutely phenomenally done with the efforts of not only country
(08:42):
radio and radiothons, which is a word that didn't even
exist a radiothon. There was telethons, but this was done
exclusively with country radio. From from that point on until today,
over seven fifty million dollars has been raised. And also
not only with the radio, but also through the efforts
of the record labels, which has been we couldn't have
(09:03):
done it without that, and also as well with artists,
artists such as yourself, young artists who have have come
long since the program was started to embrace the cause
as well. And and again I speak specifically as as
of you too, because you have donated generously from your
efforts with the J. Cohen Foundation. You have generated and
(09:25):
and and contributed quite a few thousands of dollars to
the to the St. Jud program and also the St.
Jude Children's Research Hospital, and and it just continues to grow,
and I'm very excited about it. I really am, and
it will continue to grow and and Randy Allen, who
spearheaded the whole program, if you will, has continues to
do that. It's a it's a wonderful event. We just
(09:47):
have the annual seminar which was attended by I think
almost I think it was almost seven hundred people there
Saturday night at the Peabody Hotel and Brad Paisley was there.
He performed, Randy performed. We bring in songwriters to perform.
You've been there. You've been a big part of this,
continue to be a big part of it. And my
hat saw to you too, Jake Oh for what you've
done to help not only the St. Jude calls, but
(10:10):
others as well. And I'm proud of it. I'm proud
of that, and I'm proud of you, sir well. I
appreciate that. Greg. I uh, you know, one of the
reasons we call the show good company is um it's
I like talking to people that are good company. And
that's exactly what you are. And that's so special. How
you speak of uh St Jude not for those out
there quickly as since we're on that point of St. Jude,
(10:32):
you know, almost as you said, seven d fifty million,
almost close to a billion dollars has been raised. And
it's not I think for those out there to know
as well when they hear on these radio stations each
year that the St. Jude Radio the on calling and
be a partner and hope be a partner and hope
you hear that over and over and over and for
those out there that might not understand fully what that is.
First off, as you know, Greg, and we can share
this that the few times that we that I've been
(10:53):
over there to the hospital and and learning knowledge of
how they run that place, it's run completely off of
the nations a million dollars a day it costs to
run that hospital. It might be more now since the
last couple of years that I've been there. You know.
It's not just the children that are getting the help
and from the doctors and things. It's the families as
(11:14):
well that that aren't understanding why their their daughter son
has this or where the brothers and sisters you know,
are getting counseling through counselors that will teach them to
understand why their little brother is sick, you know, and
they cover every every possible corner that you can cover
in order to make sure that these families can get
back to live in a normal life. With that said, Greg,
(11:36):
I just I'm glad you spoke on on on that
because I think it's important out there for everybody to
know how important St. Jude is, but also to know
the kind of heart that you have and and uh
what you've done with your extracurricular time, because Lord knows
I keep you busy. Well well, I thank you, Jake.
I appreciate that. I think if anybody can speak of
being busy, that would have to be you, because you
(11:59):
you're on fire all the time, my friend and and
and I take uh, I take great pride. And I've
told you this many times, I said, Man, I have
sometimes I don't know how you do it either, because
you're always involved in something and you and you're you're
on You're on fire doing uh, doing whatever it needs
to be done, whether it's your career or as as
you said, involved with charitable causes through the foundation, the
(12:22):
Jake go And Foundation, UM, whether it's a golf tournaments, concerts,
helping others, working uh with other artists, entertainers, UM, people
in in our industry, people not in the industry, to
do things that that count as well. And I take
great pride in saying that on h on your behalf
(12:42):
as well, because you, too, sir, are a champion. Well,
what you said is correct, Greg when you said if
you could be remembered for anything, you want to be
remembered for doing things like you know, being a part
of St. Jude and charitable causes. And that's exactly how
I feel. You know, we do stay busy with this
music career, but at the end of the day, you know,
nobody's gonna remember how many number one songs we had,
(13:02):
or how many um, nobody's gonna remember how many C
M A or a C M A words we want,
or anybody's one for that matter. They remember you for
the kind of character you have. And none of us
are perfect. You know that. You know that about me, man,
I ain't no perfect gentleman, but uh, I wake up
every day and strive to be and I surround myself
with people like you and um. And when you surround
(13:22):
yourself with good people in good company, that's that's that's
the best you can do and strive to be the
best human being you can be. So I, UM, I'm
proud to have you in my life and I wanted
to to touch on your life and how I really
got to know you. And um, we we met each
other in a studio in two thousand and six, so
(13:44):
a lot a lot of years ago. I was recording
my first album and I wrote a song called you
Can Thank Dixie, and um, it's a great song I
wrote with my friend Jimmy Richie and Kendall Marvel and uh,
I've always been such a huge fan of Alabama. UM.
Side story, we found out, you know, I took my
girlfriend in Tallahassee in two thousand when I was back
in college, two thousand and one at Florida State University,
(14:06):
Leon County Civic Center, and I'll never forget saving my
money to go take her. Her name was jin and
uh we went and I had seats almost up to
the top. That's the only ones I could afford. And uh,
I could not wait to go see Alabama on the
farewell to her. I remember that night, and we've chatted
about this. This is before I ever knew you, but
I I was up there watching the show and all
(14:28):
of a sudden, Randy just almost fell over. He couldn't
even he couldn't move and next thing I know, this
big dude and and and a littleer guy came came
out and kind of got up under his arm pits
and walked him off stage. And for the next twenty
or thirty minutes, Jeff Cook and Teddy and they kind
of took over and just played some songs. And come
(14:49):
to find out, after we got to know each other,
that was you on stage. You were there. You you
you took him off. Randy was suffering from vertigo at
the time, and you took him off, and so we
we got to talk about that years later. But when
I met you there at the studio on that song,
I think Dixie I had asked Randy Owen. I mean,
(15:09):
I couldn't believe it here. I was a kid, never
even put a song out on the radio. I was
just making my first album. I don't even knew who
I was. And we sent that song to Randy and said,
would you mind singing on this? And sure enough Randy
Own and the good old Greg Fowler showed up at
the studio that day. If you remember, I had a
kidney stone, you did, I do remember, And we drove
up in Brown Mr Brown, Yeah, old Brown. But I
(15:34):
sure do remember it. And uh, I got some cuts
of your Forthcoming CD from Mr Keith Gayle, who is
now Jake Owen's manager. Standing right here shout out kg KG.
He sent me a copy of it, and I listened
to all these songs and I thought, Wow, this guy
is really, really good, and you had some some great
(15:56):
stuff on. They're already starting with me and some of
the other cuts. But I thought, I don't forget yeehaw Greg. Oh,
nobody can forget. And that's another story, but yeah, I do,
and I remember that. And Randy heard it too, and
he said he was he loved your voice and and
just the whole idea of it all. And he said, well, sure,
(16:17):
I'd be happy to go up there and sing but
old Jake, and he did and it never met you either.
And so we got in the old those mobile and
drove it up to National and went in the studio
and and I remember you guys were in the booth together.
You were that was the coolest day. We had a
microphone set up in front of each other, and he
was looking at me and I was looking at him.
I'd sing a line, He'd sing a line for those
(16:37):
out there. You can check that song out on my
first album, Starting with Me. It's called You Can Thank Dixie.
I believe it's the last song on the record, but uh,
I gotta tell you know being a fan, I mean,
come on, Randy Owen and Alabama were the rock stars
of country music from the eighties all the way up
until when was the farewell to our two thousand I mean,
(16:58):
you guys had how many number one songs? I think
forty three number ones? And I believe we're I think Alabama.
I was told by Tony Conaway. It was also at
the seminar this weekend that I think Alabama is among
the top five artists in country music with the most
number ones all time forever. Wow wow, Well, speaking of
(17:21):
number ones in Alabama songs, Greg, that's another thing that
people might not know about you, is all the years
that you rode the bus and and we're with those guys.
You actually were a part of writing quite a few
of those number one songs, weren't you. We had a
good run. Yeah. Well, and the great thing and for
those of you out there listening, you may not know
about bus life and and and and so forth. When
(17:43):
you're on a tour bus and these are those beautiful
machines that run up and down the road. And basically
it's a submarine on wheels, is what it is. Bavarino
on wheels, and they are your home, as you it's
fifty two ft long with a hundred and thirty ft
of ego inside of it. Well well said. But anyway,
when you're on there after a show, and usually between shows,
(18:04):
you truly don't have a whole lot to do. I mean,
you can, you can watch you know, TV and which
I mean they're well equipped and I mean unbelievable um
vehicles on homes on wheels, But there's a lot of
time when you're just you're just bored. You don't really
have a lot going on between shows, and and you
have time to maybe get pull out on acoustic guitar
(18:26):
and sit there and go through songs and ideas and
write and so forth. And we did a lot of that.
We did. We had times when we were pretty much
just out rolling away and and we we came up
with some with some the song titles and ideas. And
I was fortunate enough to be around some guys that
were master craftsman and writing and and so forth and
(18:47):
performing and I was able to jump in on a
few things and and we had some success to it,
which You're did well you you you're you're quite humble Greg.
But Greg was a part of songs like there's a
sad little getting moon shining down on me and you
you did uh We'll go dancing shagging on the bull
(19:09):
lou bar. But my my one of my favorites I
think that you were a part of, Greg was how
do you fall in Love? Yeah? That's thank you? How
do you see? I do? So give us a little
backstory quickly on on how you how you guys came
up with that idea and that one came about. I
had written lyrics. It was really for my daughter Jordan's,
(19:30):
and uh, I thought, you know, she was almost a
teenager at the time, and I felt, one day she's
gonna get married, and I'm thinking, you know, how would it?
How would it? How do you? How do you say that?
How do you feel? You know? I mean everyone feels
love in different ways? And I thought, I'm gonna just
come up with some some lines and my ideas of
(19:52):
of how that would be best portrayed. And I did,
and I wrote pretty much, I guess of the lyrics
of the song itself. And then Teddy had had this
melody I mean, and we hadn't even talked about any
song or anything. I had just written it down, almost
like a poem. And he had this mentally with no lyrics.
(20:14):
And we were in the back of the bus what
days we said, traveling, you know, rolling along, and I said, man,
I've got an idea, and Teddy had this mentally and
the lyrics absolutely fit. I mean, it was unbelievable how
the lyrics fit. That's how things work out. Special songs
work that way. And then Randy got involved and really
made it. I mean, he took it to another level
(20:35):
when Randy Owen got involved in it, and he had
some of the coolest lines you know, of all as
we perfect. As you know, as a songwriter, you you
start off in one direction and you may take it
totally in another realm and or changed you know, lyrics
as you go, and so you feel like you've gotten
it right before you actually recorded. So that's how that's
how it went down. And ironically enough and and fittingly,
(20:58):
I guess um, when Jordan eventually did get married, Um,
that song was part of our The Father Daughter dance.
That is great. It was kind of cool that it
all worked out. You know, speaking of how it worked out,
did you would you ever thought you would have spent
twenty five years on the road with a guy named
Randy Owen and then the next fifteen on the road
(21:20):
with a guy named Jake Owen. How where is that that?
Well know? And what's ironic about that too, is you're
Owen O W E N And everybody wants to put
an ass on the I'm sure you know about this
forever with Randy Owen. It was Randy Owens. Yeah, Jake Owens.
I've been Jack Owens too. I remember we played that
(21:40):
show in Baltimore and uh I was on It was
I was with Brad Paisley. We showed up and uh
I looked up at the marquee. It said Brad Paisley
was special guest Jack Owen and oh yeah, we took
a picture. Oh Jack Owens. Well, Jackie done, well, sir,
thank you your greg. Uh I kind of I kind
(22:02):
of briefly told um everybody in my intro how you
you started in radio and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. You're
also a Radio Hall of Famer, by the way for
those out there. Yeah you didn't know that, did you,
John Anthony? Uh Hall of Shamer. Yeah, and uh, during
that time is when you kind of you got involved
(22:22):
in knowing the boys in Alabama they were playing the
Bowery and then about that time they were they were
got signed and they put out that first album which
had songs like what uh my homes in Alabama to have?
Uh you know, uh, why lady, why all those big
hit songs, and um, they needed a guy to go
(22:43):
out on the road with them and help them with
with what You're great at radio and so uh you
have a had a wife and and and children. I
think you had j at the time, and your beautiful
wife Shirley UM that not only said yeah to you
then and supported you, but you uh, you guys made
made the move and um and you you you went
(23:03):
out on the road with Alabama and started that career
with them. And I mean, shoot, we could talk for
hours about everything you know you you did with Alabama.
But I think what was special is when you told
me how you you said, I went with I was
there from the Bowery to the Hall of Fame, and yeah, yeah,
you know there's so many accolades that we could sit
(23:24):
here in highlight that you've done. But I think, to me, man,
what I really wanted to talk to you about in
the next you know, eight or ten minutes that we've
got left here is we could see here, like I said,
talk about everything you've done with Alabama, talk about everything
that you've done with me. But what's important to me
about you, Greg is the kind of person you are.
And I think that's what we tend to talk about
here on Good Company, is that you've been married for
how long to Shirley now? Two years? Forty two years?
(23:48):
You know. We talked to my grandparents. We talked to
my grandparents. Yeah, I talked to my grandparents about their
marriage of seventy years and asked them how they did it,
you know, and they gave us their insight on that.
And um, I just I think it's important for those
out there that are listening that might not necessarily be
(24:09):
in the music business, but are that kind of father
that has to travel each week or they they spend
time away from their kids. And um, I've not only
watched you be the utmost professional out on the road
and and help me and in Alabama for that matter,
become the the artists and and do the excuse me,
do the things that we've done. But to me, what
(24:30):
is so just unbelievably appealing about you, greg is is
the kind of father that you've always been and the
kind of husband that you've been to your wife. And
I just thought maybe you could share maybe some thoughts
on how you've maintained that over the years for those
out there that deal with the same thing, that deal with,
you know, maybe being away from their husband or wife,
(24:52):
um for for three or four days a week and
come home and then go back go from work to
insta dad, you know. And I know there's times you've
you've talked talked about how now I bring this up,
not not to break your heart again, but I know
you've told me about how you still hurt your hurts
you sometimes when Jordan, you're your pretty little daughter was
homecoming Queen Fort Payne, Alabama, and you weren't there to
(25:13):
see her be and I wish I could have been
there for yeah, old John Anderson. But I'm talking a
lot here. I'll let you speak, but I just there's
so much that intrigues me about you, Gregg, and the
kind of person you are and why I love being
around you. And I thought you could share some insight
with those out there on how you can always maintain
(25:33):
your job and do the best as you do and
show how you do it, but also be an unbelievable
father figure and a husband. Well you said the bar
really high, Everyboddy, I can probably do that. Oh and I'll,
by the way, after further review, I've been married almost
forty six years. After further review, was Shirley standing right
(25:53):
there with her hands like going four six Gregg four six.
I had to do the quick math on that was no.
First of all, I give creditarily for for so much
of it, because as you know, you're you're a parent.
You know you have a beautiful daughter, earl, and and
when you're on the road you miss a lot of things.
But the reason you're on the road is to be
(26:16):
able to provide for your family and to take care
of the of your children and and your and your
spouse or whomever, and and it just makes it's not
always easy, certainly. I mean, I know, growing up we
had twins at home and I'm on the road. And
when the older Jay, our oldest son was, he was
you know, maybe twelve and the kids were born, and
(26:38):
and it was just it was tough, you know, because
we weren't traveling a lot at the time, and still
do for that matter, but you know, there was and
then as the kids were there getting sick, somebody's got
to take them to the doctor, you know, and or
school events going on. There's homework, there's there's just things
that are part of a family's life as you have
(26:59):
children and they continue to grow. And it's not without
a great deal of sacrifice, certainly on everyone's part. But
I specifically credit that to her and to anyone who's
in that position, whether you're on the road as a
as a in a band, or an artist or a
traveling individual, or especially you know spolks and our folks
(27:20):
in the military. I mean, nothing speaks louder than that
and the sacrifices that have to be done. And I
was very fortunate to have a support group my wife
and sometimes some neighbors would help out, you know, and
she had to do things as well, and and that
enabled me to do my job and to do it
with with good conscience that I was doing the right
(27:43):
thing as far as trying to you know, provide and
take care of my family. And at the same time,
I couldn't have done it. I don't think without the
help that I was getting back home and the support
I was getting back home. And you know what, it
was homework with the kids, you know, p t a
me these things, and I just couldn't be there for
and and you know, and it just it speaks volumes
(28:06):
about having someone to help you, to help you make
dreams come true. Really and uh, as I said, I
couldn't have done it without her. Well, you definitely have
a have a great wife, and surely I've seen throughout
all these years how she supported you. And uh, you
know what, maybe maybe Greg part of the reason you've
been married so long because you have been gone all
(28:26):
the time. No, it's true, Oh trust me, Yeah, amen
to that. By friends. Yeah, we've had that discussion too,
because sometimes when we're not on the road, that you know,
during the holidays or whatever, we're off for a couple
of months, you know, a month or so, it's like
she's going like, uh, you think it's about to go
back out. Everyone, Well, you know, we all have our lives,
(28:50):
you know, collectively and individually, and and regiments and schedules
and and and so forth. Um, so yeah, sometimes you
can get a little you can be the kitchen to mom,
you know. But it's always good to govern. It's great
to come back. You know. Well, I I know she
probably loves loves seeing you man when you come home
as much as I like sien you. When you hop
(29:10):
on the bus and we head out of town. It
reminds me of that old song. Ironically enough that I
sat here my last podcast with my good old buddy
Larry Fleet, and we sang that song called the Conversation
and uh, and he says, um about whole Hank, He's like,
you know, he'd be the first one on the bus
and ready to ride. And so that's like you, Greg Man,
(29:32):
You're you're you're like old Hank, the first one on
the bus and ready to ride every time. Yeah, like
straight at old Troubadour. You know, I'm that guy too,
you know. But but I gotta say something to man
if I could, Um, and I can because I got
the phone. But you also and and I mean this,
as I said, we were saying, Jude this weekend, and
(29:54):
there are a lot of artists or that have come
along since you've gotten your record deal. And and they
look up to you too, man. They look they looked
at Jake Owen for advice and want to know what
what can I do? How can I do this? And uh,
I think sometimes we forget our place in the in
the in the royal order of life. And you are
very well respected in this industry man, and and and
(30:17):
people I know. I spoke with Drake Quiet, I spoke
with him and Lance and some of these guys that
that are have been you know, on the scene much
less than you have. And and do they want to
how does Jake Owen do it? And uh? And do
your credit? Man? You you're well respected in this industry
as well, sir, Well thanks man. Like I said earlier,
(30:39):
it's a good company. I've got good people around me
that helped me each and every day, and you and
my friend are are one of those folks that's right
there beside me along the way. And I can't thank
you enough for all the years that you've given me.
And we've got a lot ahead of us, that's for
sure too. And it's funny to think after all these years,
thirteen years on the road together, I've I've seen your
(31:00):
hair get a little bit more gray. And uh, and
I've earned a couple in my chin. I'm starting to
get a couple coming in every now and then in
the Chin region. Uh A lab yeah, like a black
lab man. But I I started this this podcast. UM,
I was very thankful when my friend, um Mr Bobby
(31:22):
Bones asked me, Um. He said, man, I think you've
got a lot to say, and I think you've got
things you can share with people. And when he said that,
it really flattered. It was really flattering for me because
I thought to myself, you know what, I do have
a lot to share that I'd love for people out
there to hear about more than what they get to
see us do on a daily basis on the road.
Just get out of a tour bus, walk on stage
(31:43):
sound check saying wave to the crowd, see you later.
You know that there's a lot about our lives. They're
so special, UM, and I have been able to spend
a bunch of special moments with you. You've helped me
earn a lot of those special moments. And UM, I
can't thank you and no for the time that you've
given me today to talk to me. I can't thank
you enough for the time that you've given me throughout
(32:05):
my career. And uh, I hope you uh tell Shirley
back down home there in Alabama. I hope you're getting
some good home cooking witer down there. We're back at
it on the road here shortly. So I I love you, man,
and uh, Like I said, we could have talked for
hours on everything that you've accomplished in your life. But
I thought it was just gonna be fun to chat
with you and connect people out there that have seen
(32:26):
you side stage, they've seen me pull you up on
stage and sing Alabama songs throughout the years. But um,
there's nobody man on this earth. It's this that's more
proud to have you as a friend than I am.
And uh, and I love you man. You're like a
second dad to me, and I appreciate everything you've ever
given me. Well, man, I appreciate you saying that too,
and and I really do and it likewise, my friend,
(32:49):
I wanted to say one thing too. I was thinking
about it and I missed it earlier when I left,
I mightn't leave Alabama lead fairwell that we were pretty
much done and had the opportunity to go to work
with you and Keith Gail who's your current manager? Who
is the manager or was the guy that I spoke with?
You just played in Portland's You've done a guitar the
(33:12):
poll I think the radio of it in Portland, Oregon
and Keiths. I asked Keith and said, Keith, do you think, um,
what do you think of Jake Man? I mean, there's
an opportunity there, but I don't really know him. He
doesn't know me. And kie said, I think it would
be a big mistake if you didn't take the opportunity,
if you'd have the opportunity to go to work with
Jake Howen. And so that's seal the deal for me Man.
(33:33):
And then, as it would luck would have it, Parker
Fowler worked under Keith. That's at Sonys. He was his guy,
my son who's now with Triple Tigers and in Nashville
and they've got a Russell Dickerson song that there's they're
moving up the charts pretty well, but shout out Russell Dickerson,
Shout out Russell. And now it's funny how things weren't
(33:55):
Because Keith Gail was also one of those gentlemen who
was instrumental in the early early days of the St
Jude Country Tears radio program when he was in Philadelphia.
So it's just it's I running how things find a
way in and out of our lives. And shout out
to KG again too, because he's somebody that's been in
my life for a long time and and he's done
(34:17):
our lives and and here we are. It's it's it
is a family, and it is a good company, and
you have a great team around you, and I couldn't
be more proud to be considered a part of the
Jake Owen family. Well, I appreciate you, buddy, and I
look forward to seeing any soon when we uh, when
we get back out there. And uh we as we
started this talking about charity work, we you know, we've
(34:40):
chatted recently about you and I really um, you know,
really getting even more involved with our foundation and building
up some more areas where we're able to raise awareness,
raise dollars and as you mentioned, with other artists and people,
getting them involved in teaching them how they can be
helpful for raising awareness for these charitable falls is uh,
it's about it's about what we do with our lives
(35:02):
and the legacy we leave, not not the smoking mirrors
and lights and and everything that we that y'all see
out on the road. But uh, I love you man.
Thank you so much for taking time to chat with
us on the Good Company podcast. You are definitely good company.
Greg Fowler, thank you, Jake Going and oh Man, Well,
and I know you're the you're the you're the Auburn,
(35:22):
Alabama guy. So war regal to you down there, and
maybe you'll get him next year. Well, thanks, buddy, We're trying.
It's always the next year, but we're gonna get him.
We'll get him, all right. Say hey to the fam
down there. If you see those boys from Alabama running
around Fort Payne, tell him all old Jake said, hey,
well I will. And Randy also speaking of that, Reddy
told me that you say, uh, well, we we're together
(35:44):
on Saturday night. So there you have it. Well, thanks man,
I appreciate it. I'll see you soon, buddy. All right, Thanks,
all right, see you later a bye see you, buddy.
Well that was pretty special. I love that guy. Like
I said, I can't I can't express enough how he's
really been like a second father to me on the
road and for a kid like myself that was twenty
three years old and I got my record deal. I
(36:06):
still feel like I'm twenty three in a way. Maybe
a maturity wise, I don't know. I feel like I'm
growing up as as much as I can a year
after year. But I learned a lot. I've learned so
much from him I've had. You know what a lot
of people don't understand is, UH, when you get on
a bus, like he said, and you ride down the road,
that's those are the times where you really reflect. You
reflect on the show you just played. You talk about
(36:27):
where you're going, where you've been, where you want to go.
And uh, Greg has been there for me through all
those times. And we've chatted about, you know, our life
goals together and and and how we can be better
as human beings. And UM, I'm thankful, and I think
everybody out there should be thankful for those kinds of
friends that they have in their life, and that truly
(36:48):
is good company. Appreciate you all again. Tuning in This
is Jake wolf Like
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