Categories
PHILIP BOWEN, FAREN RACHELS, & NATHAN BESS
Sunday, November 8, 2026 - 6:00pm
$25.00
WRITERS ROUND: MAIN STAGE
1
Artist Details
Philip Bowen:
Philip Bowen is an Appalachian born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music is rooted in folk tradition, regional storytelling, and lived experience. Raised in West Virginia, Bowen began playing fiddle at age four and developed a distinctive sound that blends Appalachian textures with modern Americana songwriting.
He has built a substantial and engaged audience through touring and online performance, reaching over 1.5 million followers across platforms. His early momentum included a win at TikTok’s Greatest Talent competition and appearances at key rooms and stages including The Bluebird Cafe, 3rd and Lindsley, NPR’s Mountain Stage, Americanafest, and an official showcase at Folk Alliance International.
Bowen’s debut album Old Kanawha marked a breakout period in 2023, alongside a spotlight at AmericanaFest and a semifinal run on America’s Got Talent. He has since shared stages with artists such as Darius Rucker, 49 Winchester, Wyatt Flores, Ian Munsick, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Josiah and the Bonnevilles.
An accomplished session musician with hundreds of recorded credits, Bowen has contributed fiddle and instrumentation for artists including Noah Kahan, Sam Barber, Zandi Holup, and Jenna Paulette. His work has been recognized by Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Whiskey Riff, and Ross Golan’s And the Demo Is.
In 2025, Bowen released his sophomore album Appalachia Forever, featuring collaborations with Charles Wesley Godwin, Madison Hughes, Josiah and the Bonnevilles, Leon Majcen, and Julia DiGrazia. The release was supported by his first headlining tour beginning in August, followed by support dates with Dwight Yoakam, Kashus Culpepper, Sam Burchfield, and Whiskey Myers. He continues to build a growing national audience through consistent releases, touring, and a focused return to roots based songwriting.
Connect with Philip HERE
Faren Rachels:
Known around Nashville as a “rare talent”, Faren Rachels is a powerhouse woman in Music City. Having played her way through every bar in her college town of Athens, the Sparta, Georgia native turned her sights on Tennessee in 2012. After working endless side-gigs, Rachels landed a publishing contract that saw her earn cuts Billboard has called “steady, stomping [and] propulsive”. Known for writing music that speaks to real-life experiences, particularly for woman, her songs tackle themes that of authenticity, resilience, and vulnerability. This approach to songwriting has landed her credits with female powerhouses such as Lainey Wilson, Ashland Craft, Meghan Patrick, and many more.
“I wanna make music for grown-ass women; real… raw,” Rachels explains, “I wanna make music about things people are actually going through and not drinking beer 24-7.” It’s no wonder that her work has been described as “speaking to the universal journey, and struggle, of turning dreams into reality,” (American Songwriter) because Faren Rachels has lived, and thrived, through it all. Not only has she proved herself as a songwriter, but she continues to solidify her place as one of Nashville’s most respected and authentic songwriters, dedicated to creating music that speaks to the hearts of country music fans.
Connect with Faren HERE
Nathan Bess:
Hailing from the hills of Charleston, West Virginia, Nathan Bess writes songs that cut to the bone of Appalachian life. A full-time firefighter, his music explores the struggles, stories, and resilience of his home state, capturing the tension between hardship and hope that defines the region, following in the footsteps of Appalachian country music stalwarts like Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson.
In 2024, Bess burst onto the scene with debut EP, part 1, and its sequel, part 2. Highlighted by breakout track “Somethin’ About The Smell,” his catalog has amassed over 15 million streams and marked him as a rising star in the genre. Onstage, early returns have been just as promising, as he’s earned the adoration of audiences across the Ohio Valley and east coast with his soul-stirring vocals and unflinching honesty. Now focused on the next chapter in his career, Bess looks to continue the tradition of American storytelling as one of the most promising new artists in country music.
Connect with Nathan HERE
Save this product for later
PHILIP BOWEN, FAREN RACHELS, & NATHAN BESS
Powered by Lightspeed
Display prices in:USD
