For Texas country singer Wade Bowen, summertime doesn't offer a lot of downtime to chill out and relax.
Bowen's busy as can be, juggling his tours with initial work on his next album. "We don't ever really stop touring," he said earlier this week after a songwriting session. "We just always work and always play."
In fact, he'll be playing in Texarkana tonight with his band at Scottie's Grill on the Texas side of town. He's also been touring with Randy Rogers, with whom he recently released the acoustic live album "Watch This."
"Watch This" was recorded live during the tour they do each year. Back in 2015, he and Rogers released a studio album, too, "Hold My Beer, Vol. 1."
"We released it when we started our acoustic tour and finish that up next month," Bowen said of the live album, noting it's fun for a fan to listen to that side of his music, too, with the partnership and on-stage dynamic he has with Rogers, like him a stalwart of the homegrown Texas country scene.
If he's not touring with Rogers, he's out on the road with his band. Or writing for his next album.
Oh, and Bowen released another album back in the spring of this year, "Then Sings My Soul: Songs for My Mother," which mostly consists of hymns his mother loves. He intended it as solely a surprise Christmas morning gift for his mom, but later decided to release it after the response was so positive.
"I'm kind of at a great place in my career where I'm happy to do whatever," Bowen said of the freedom he enjoys now.
This project, too, was fun for him and in some sense an homage to the importance of music in his upbringing.
"Music is a huge part of my family's life, and my mom is the reason for the majority of that," Bowen said, calling her a passionate music lover.
As for his Texarkana show tonight, Bowen is bringing the big band he normally travels with, meaning 10 guys are crammed together on a bus.
"It's a whole lot of country, a whole lot of rock and roll and a whole lot of smiles," said Bowen, who was trying to remember the last time he was in Texarkana.
It's been a long while since he's been in T-Town, and he's released so much music in recent years there's a lot for him to perform for local fans at Scottie's Grill tonight.
And as an artist, he's trying to grow with his writing and get out of his normal comfort zone. When he approaches a new album, he does this each and every time. He's excited about the process, getting ready to head into the studio.
"Usually the record presents itself to me before it's all said and done," Bowen said.
Lubbock, Texas, Americana band Flatland Cavalry opens the show.
(Tickets: $25 for reserved seats, $15 for advance general admission. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Purchase tickets at Scottie's Grill or online at Outhousetickets.com. More info: 903-838-4745.)