Beloved Artist-Songwriter Ronnie Bowman Passes

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Ronnie Bowman. Photo: Courtesy of Eclipse Music Group

Award-winning bluegrass artist and country songwriter Ronnie Bowman died Sunday (March 22) following a motorcycle accident. He was 64.

A native of Mount Airy, North Carolina, Bowman became one of bluegrass music’s most respected voices, earning widespread recognition both as a solo artist and as a longtime member of the Lonesome River Band. He joined the group in 1990 as a vocalist and bass player, remaining until 2001, and previously performed with The Lost and Found after joining that band in 1987.

Over the course of his career, Bowman received numerous honors from the International Bluegrass Music Association, including three Male Vocalist of the Year awards. His song “Three Rusty Nails” earned both Gospel Performance of the Year and Song of the Year, while “Cold Virginia Night” also took home Song of the Year honors.

Bowman launched his solo career with 1994’s Cold Virginia Night, an acclaimed project featuring Alison Krauss, Del McCoury and Tony Rice that won IBMA Album of the Year. He later released Starting Over (2003) and It’s Gettin’ Better All The Time (2006), further cementing his reputation as a leading artist in the genre.

In addition to his work as a performer, Bowman found major success as a country songwriter. He co-wrote Brooks & Dunn’s No. 1 hit “It’s Getting Better All the Time” with Don Cook, and Kenny Chesney’s chart-topping “Never Wanted Nothing More” with Chris Stapleton.

Bowman also contributed two songs to Stapleton’s multi-Platinum album Traveller, including “Nobody to Blame,” co-written with Stapleton and Barry Bales, which earned the ACM Award for Song of the Year. Continuing their collaboration, Stapleton’s 2025 single “It Takes A Woman,” co-written with Bowman, won the Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance.

His catalog was recorded by a wide range of artists, including Don Williams, Lee Ann Womack, Cody Johnson, Ralph Stanley, Jake Owen and Marcus King.

Born into a musical family, Bowman began singing gospel music at age three, performing in churches across North Carolina and Virginia alongside his four sisters.

In recent years, Bowman continued to record and perform, releasing a self-titled album and collaborating with the Band of Ruhks alongside fellow former Lonesome River Band members Don Rigsby and Kenny Smith. He also frequently performed with Dan Tyminski. In 2021, Bowman extended his publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the bluegrass and country music communities.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Bowman’s wife Garnet and their family shared the following statement: “Ronnie was beloved by so many in our music community, whom he loved so dearly… and we are beyond grateful for all of the love & outpouring toward us already. Right now, as we process, we just covet your prayers. We have no words at this time, but thank you and graciously request that you honor our privacy while we try to put our heads around this and grieve. What we know and hold onto, is that he is with his Savior Jesus in Heaven, although already terribly missed here on Earth.”

LB Cantrell
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