Tim Bowman

The old phrase "It runs in the blood" was certainly spoken at Tim Bowman's house - almost as a prophetic direction for the young boy who would discover his part in the family's musical heritage. Bowman, who picked up speed once he picked up a guitar at age 11, would follow the course of the family's bloodline - music. Tim shares, "I grew up playing guitar in my church in Detroit while my sister Vickie sang. I have a large family - 12 people - and we were all musically inclined. I'd watch the guitarist at church during the service. He was really good, and I wanted to play like that. I picked up a guitar, and God has really blessed me since then."

He went on to study music at Wayne State University and the Center for Creative Studies, Music and Dance in Detroit. When his singing group from church performed at the same concert as the renowned Winans family, Tim met the Winans. From there he collaborated with his sister Vickie (who was later married to Marvin Winans) and The Winans on several projects. In fact, he was the musical director and lead guitarist for The Winans for six years, having worked closely with BeBe and CeCe Winans as well as Daniel Winans. He also produced Esther Smith's album Born To Worship, has worked on records with Commissioned and Zion and has played for Vanessa Bell-Armstrong among others.

Early influences for Tim' include guitarist George Benson and Roy Clark as well singer/songwriters Marvin Winans and Andrae Crouch. Bowman's own instrumental ballads in a soft jazz style and his magnetizing worship songs are what make Tim a different breed in the same clan of remarkable musical abilities.

His debut release Love, Joy, Peace with the newly established label INSYNG Christian Music Company is the lifeline for Tim's heartbeat in music. Known strictly as a producer until now, he gives listeners a new appreciation for the music that's put him "behind the scenes" for years. The mostly-instrumental album showcases Tim's ability as a guitar player in a contemporary jazz fashion. He stages music that is background refreshment for entertainment purposes and an enveloping, stilling atmosphere for much-needed quiet times.

Tim wrote four songs on the album and co-wrote two songs with his nephew and one with his brother. The song Supposed To Be was written by Keith Thomas (Amy Grant, Carman, Vanessa Williams) and Benjamin Winans. Marvin Winans wrote two of the songs Bowman remade from The Winans entitled Go That Extra Mile and Give Me You. Says Tim, Give Me You is a classic to me because it's God asking us, 'If you love me the way you say you do, why don't you give me you? I'll give you everything and you can ask me for anything, if you give me you.'"

Part of the inspiration for his songs comes from his family. Besides giving his time to music, Tim is a busy husband and father. He and his wife of 16 years, Wanda Patricia, have Candice Patricia, 11, and Tim Jr., 9, who are also known to carry a tune and their flag of faith as well.

"I wrote Speak To Me soon after we got married. We were going through financial trouble, and I told the Lord that I needed to hear from Him. "On the other side of the album is 'Don't Let The Devil Ride' which is a congregational song and exceedingly spirited. We sang it for years in church and my parents always loved that song. They would plead with me to play the guitar part on the song. Everything else on the album is very contemporary and smooth - but Don't Let The Devil Ride - it's just downright bluesy."

The sax-soaring title cut, Love, Joy, Peace blends an r&b groove with warm, light background vocals circulating the song. A mood-altering, free-flowing voyage is the transcendent Rapture while Don't Let The Devil Ride with vocals from Vickie Winans, is a gospel, get-down that adroitly says, "Don't let the devil ride/He'll want to drive."

Tim concedes, "Music is an area of ministry where God wants me to be. I've have the opportunity to minister to people through the guitar, and that's what I'm looking forward to doing more of. I want to help open the door through instrumental music to the Christian marketplace. I hope to encourage more instrumentalists to express their ministry through an instrument. I also want to get more involved in the songwriting process. I've written songs for Vickie's albums and for my own album, but I'd like to become more of a songwriter --and skillful at that."

When considering where the life-sustaining music comes from which drives this artist, you can't get very far without replying, "It runs in the blood." There can be worship without words. That's what Love, Joy, Peace is all about.