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CATHERINE "BB" BOWNESS

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New weekly brunch gig starts April 20th at An Sibin!
Apr 11, 2025
New weekly brunch gig starts April 20th at An Sibin!
Apr 11, 2025

Alex Rubin and I are excited to host a weekly Sunday bluegrass brunch at An Sibin in Cambridge. The first date will be Sunday April 20th. There’ll be music from 1-3pm every Sunday featuring different local bluegrass musicians. Pop in to say hi!

1193 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Apr 11, 2025
Kickstarter Live for debut album!
Feb 21, 2025
Kickstarter Live for debut album!
Feb 21, 2025

A quick note to let you all know my kickstarter campaign is live! The first few days of a kickstarter is really crucial to get the ball rolling and inspire other banjo lovers that the project is worth backing. So my extra special thanks to you if you're able to hop on and check it out in the coming days.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bb-bowness/debut-solo-album-by-bb-bowness

In case you no longer have a CD player (like me), I've got lots of other rewards to tempt you like hats, vinyl, stickers, lessons, house concerts or a tune composed just for you. And if you're on social media.. sharing, commenting and liking posts goes a long way in helping me reach others.

It means so much to me if you're able to support this project and I can't wait for you all to hear it! 

Feb 21, 2025
Steve Martin Banjo Prize
Oct 13, 2020
Steve Martin Banjo Prize
Oct 13, 2020

I'm so unbelievably excited and grateful to be one of five winners of the 2020 Steve Martin Banjo Prize! There are so many incredible banjo players in the world that I can't believe my name came up for this huge honor. Thanks to everyone who's been supportive of my banjo playing, especially my Mum & Dad, my husband Alex Rubin, and my Mile Twelve bandmates who have all had to listen to a lot of tuning and loud banjo noises over the years.

Oct 13, 2020
Fiddle tunes on the banjo 10 week class with guests Béla Fleck and Tony Trischka
Aug 28, 2020
Fiddle tunes on the banjo 10 week class with guests Béla Fleck and Tony Trischka
Aug 28, 2020

I’m so pleased to be teaming up with Plant seeds of music for a 10 week banjo class this fall. The class will be focused on playing fiddle tunes on the banjo by learning a tune each week and preparing for two masterclasses with Béla Fleck and Tony Trischka.

More info and sign up here: https://plantseedsofmusic.com/banjoclass42001994

Aug 28, 2020
Picking with Béla Fleck!
Oct 20, 2018
Picking with Béla Fleck!
Oct 20, 2018

One of my favorite things about bluegrass music is the community. It’s amazing to be able to meet new friends and know that you’ll keep running into them all over the country and even the world. I’m so thankful to have been able to meet and play with some of my favorite banjo players in the world. The likes of Tony Trischka, Alison Brown, Noam Pikelny, Wes Corbett, Greg Liszt and too many more to list. This summer I had the opportunity to attend and assistant teach at Béla Flecks wonderful Blue Ridge Banjo Camp in North Carolina. It’s been so exciting to meet my banjo hero of 15 years and get to hear him play up close, the ultimate inspiration! Here’s a video of us picking a tune at Watermelon Park in Berryville, VA this past September: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ZsOJeoPD0

Oct 20, 2018
Banjo Newsletter article
May 1, 2018
Banjo Newsletter article
May 1, 2018

I had the great honor recently of sitting down with one of my all time favorite players, the great Tony Trischka to chat and play. The interview was featured in the April additional of the banjo newsletter, you can get your copy here! https://banjonews.com/subscribe.html

May 1, 2018
GHS string endorsement
Apr 25, 2018
GHS string endorsement
Apr 25, 2018

Big thanks to GHS Strings for having me as a GHS banjo artist. I've been using these strings for the last few years and love the J.D. Crowe signature studio set! 

http://www.ghsstrings.com/catherine-bowness #ghsstrings #ghsartist

Apr 25, 2018
The Banjo Summit, May 11-13 2018
Jan 1, 2018
The Banjo Summit, May 11-13 2018
Jan 1, 2018

I'm excited to be teaching at this years Banjo Summit in Fort Collins, CO on May 11-13. It's a 3-day progressive banjo workshop aimed at teaching banjo players techniques to take them beyond bluegrass and expand their expertise with the instrument. The faculty includes the amazing Jayme Stone, Wesley Corbett, Jake Schepps, Ben Krakauer and Ross Martin. If you're interested in more info please get in touch. The camp website has more info you can check out.

Jan 1, 2018
Fall update with Mile Twelve
Nov 24, 2017
Fall update with Mile Twelve
Nov 24, 2017

I've been on the road with Mile Twelve for about two months this fall and since it's been a little while, I'd love to fill you in on our travels. I'm now back in Boston and am looking forward to being able to teach more in the upcoming months.

We kicked the fall touring season off back in September playing in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina finishing with a week showcasing at the International Bluegrass Music Association. We had a smashingly successful week with great showcase opportunities and the chance to connect with all sorts of people in the bluegrass community. We were also so thankful to have received the 2017 IBMA band Momentum Award.

We then flew back to Boston to get our bags packed for a month long tour of Australia and New Zealand. It was an absolute treat to show the band around New Zealand.

Nov 24, 2017
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