I have limited familiarity with John Cowan. I know that he was a member of the ground-breaking New Grass Revival and that he was currently a part of what today tours as The Doobie Brothers.  I also know he is a gifted singer having seen him perform with Nashville’s The Long Players classic album covers band.  Most importantly, he is the only missing autograph on my copy of the legendary Sky Kings CD.   He was a member along with Poco’s Rusty Young and Bill Lloyd. (Their “lost” album was finally issued in 2000 by Rhino Handmade and is a must for any country rock fan.)  Knowing all this, it only took a free night and an impressive line-up of guest stars to get me to attend his charity-benefiting birthday celebration.

Ten years ago, Cowan did a similar night at The Station Inn for his big “Five-O.” This night, at a packed Third and Lindsley, proved to be a well-organized night of great music falling just short of four hours long.

Cowan sure has a lot of great and talented friends, some of whom were advertised as guests and some who just simply showed up. The birthday boy made a few appearances with some of the players throughout the night in addition to closing the show with his own band. Here’s a rundown of what we got to hear along with an assortment of photos.

SETLIST:

1. The Last Letter (Billy Henson)
2. Lonesome Feeling (Billy Henson)
   

   Billy Henson

3. The Trouble with the Truth (Gary Nicholson)
4. Pay Bo Diddley (Gary Nicholson)
   

   Gary Nicholson

5. Ready to Cross Over (Danny Flowers)
6. I Was a Burden (Danny Flowers)
   

   Danny Flowers (on far left)

7. People Get Ready (Lacy Green)
   

   Lacy Green

   

   John Cowan and John McFee

8. The Great Depression (Michael Kelsh)
9. You Bought It (Michael Kelsh)
   

   Michael Kelsh

10. Wonderin’ if You’re Wonderin’ About Me (Josh Shilling of Mountain Heart)
11. Statesboro Blues (Josh Shilling of Mountain Heart)
    

    Josh Shilling of Mountain Heart

12. Summer Fly (Maura O’Connell with Jerry Douglas)
13. Trouble in the Fields (Maura O’Connell with Jerry Douglas)
    

    Maura O’Connell with Jerry Douglas

14. Southern Accents (Mike Farris)
15. Glory, Glory (Mike Farris)
    

    Mike Farris

16. The King of Broken Hearts (Jim Lauderdale)
17. Can We Find Forgiveness (Jim Lauderdale)
    

    Jim Lauderdale

18. Make Me Like a Child (Joseph Wooten)
19. Everybody is a Star (Joseph Wooten and Mike Farris)
    

    Joseph Wooten

20. You and Tequila (Jeff Hanna and Matraca Berg)
21. Mr. Bojangles (Jeff Hanna and Matraca Berg)
    

    Jeff Hanna and Matraca Berg

22. Miss You Like the Devil (Tracy Nelson)
23. When Something is Wrong with My Baby (Tracy Nelson and Bonnie Bramlett)
24. Come On In My Kitchen (Tracy Nelson and Bonnie Bramlett)
25. Something (Bonnie Bramlett)
    

    Bonnie Bramlett and Tracy Nelson

26. What You Don’t Know (Jon Randall)
27. Light Night Ramble (Jessie Alexander)
28. Will It Go Round it Circles (Jon Randall and Jessie Alexander)
    

    Jon Randall

    

    Jessie Alexander

29. Niagara Falls (Bill Lloyd)
30. Crazy Over You (Bill Lloyd)
    

    Bill Lloyd

31. Come Back Baby (Rodney Crowell)
32. Poncho and Lefty (Rodney Crowell)
33. No One Will Ever Know (Rodney Crowell)
    

    Rodney Crowell

34. Class Rock Bluegrass Medley (Diamond Rio)
35. Jesus Gave Me Water (John Cowan with Diamond Rio)
    

    Diamond Rio

36. Big Boss Man (The Kentucky Headhunters)
37. Back to Memphis (The Kentucky Headhunters)
38. Have You Ever Loved a Woman (The Kentucky Headhunters)
39. Dumas Walker (The Kentucky Headhunters)
    

    The Kentucky Headhunters

40. Further on Up the Road (John Cowan)
41. Good Woman’s Love (John Cowan)
42. My Father’s Field (John Cowan)
43. Callin’ Baton Rouge (John Cowan)
    

    John Cowan

    

    John Cowan