Biography

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Peter Rowan is one of America's most revered musical storytellers. A 2022 inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, Rowan has spent over five decades shaping the sound and spirit of American roots music—from bluegrass and folk to rock, country, and beyond.

Raised in Wayland, Massachusetts, Peter found his voice in Boston’s vibrant 1950s folk scene, learning guitar from his uncle and frequenting the Hillbilly Ranch nightclub, where old-time legends like the Lilly Brothers lit the stage. By high school, he had formed his first band, The  Cupids, and was already charting his own musical course.

Peter’s professional journey began at the source—joining Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys in 1963. With Monroe, he co-wrote “Walls of Time,” now a standard in the bluegrass canon. “Monroe’s music had more blues in it,” Rowan later reflected. “It had more edge, and it carried the old ballad tradition I loved.”

In the decades that followed, Rowan pushed the boundaries of genre through pivotal projects including Earth Opera, Sea Train, Muleskinner, and The Rowans (with brothers Chris and Lorin). His work with Old & In the Way—alongside Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Vassar Clements, and John Kahn—brought bluegrass to a new generation, fusing counterculture energy with Appalachian roots.

Peter Rowan’s songwriting has etched itself into the American musical lexicon. He wrote “Panama Red,” a hit for New Riders of the Purple Sage, and fan favorites like “Midnight Moonlight” and “Lonesome L.A. Cowboy” remain staples across genres.

His solo work spans bluegrass, Americana, folk, and spiritual fusion. Notable albums include:

• Calling You From My Mountain (2022) – Grammy-nominated 
• Carter Stanley’s Eyes – Rebel Records 
• Legacy (2010) – Grammy-nominated, featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings 
• The Old School – With Del McCoury, Jesse McReynolds, and Bobby Osborne
• Dustbowl Children, The First Whippoorwill, Dharma Blues, and My Aloha!

From legends to rising stars, Peter Rowan’s influence spans generations. He has worked with:

Icons: Tony Rice, Flaco Jiménez, Emmylou Harris, Norman Blake, Don Edwards
Contemporary Greats: Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Sam Bush
Next-Gen Artists:  Sam Grisman Project, Wyatt Ellis, and more!

These collaborations reflect Rowan’s role as both a tradition-bearer and a bridge to new frontiers.

• International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductee (2022)
• Grammy Award winner (1997) - True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe
• Six-time Grammy nominee including 2022 nomination for Best Bluegrass Album (Calling You From My Mountain)
• Inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Music Award - Ireland's Folk Conference "Your Roots Are Showing" (2025)
• Lifetime Achievement Award - Americana Music Association (2015)
• Bluegrass Star Award - Bluegrass Heritage Foundation (2012)

Now in his 80s and still touring internationally, Peter continues to perform in multiple musical formats:

• Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band – With Chris Henry, Max Wareham, Mike Bub, David Grier, Laurence Atamanuik 
• Free Mexican Air Force – Cross-cultural collaboration with Grammy-winning Los Texmaniacs
• Walls of Time Ensemble – Featuring David Grier, Mike Bub, Larry Atamanuik 
• Peter Rowan & The Sam Grisman Project- playing the music of Old & In The Way and more

Rowan’s legacy is felt not only in recordings and performances but in his enduring mentorship. His collaborations with the Sam Grisman Project preserve the Old & In the Way legacy, while his ongoing work with Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and other young artists ensure the vitality of acoustic music for decades to come.

Peter Rowan is available for festivals, concert halls, and intimate venues. His performances—whether solo acoustic or full band—offer a transcendent journey through America’s musical traditions, connecting generations through storytelling, soul, and song.

For booking inquiries: John Everhart, jeverhart@newfrontierbook.com, (615) 321-6152

For interviews, and high-resolution photos: Management Al Evers, alevers@a-train.com, (510) 893-4705

Socials: @PeterRowanMusic