Jack Owen
Jack Owen
Jack Owen’s
Musical Heritage
Jack Owen Music was born in Manchester. As a teenager, I started singing for a few local bands which were reasonably successful on the local scene. I was introduced to the work of the folk icon Bob Dylan by a work friend. I was immediately impressed then by the power of his lyrics and remain in awe of them now. Subsequently I learned to play the acoustic guitar and embarked upon singing in pubs, clubs and restaurants, eventually meeting up with Mick Groves of the Spinners folk group who recorded my first album ‘Young Owen’ which contained ‘Mist’.
Jack Owen’s
Musical Heritage
Jack Owen Music was born in Manchester. As a teenager, I started singing for a few local bands which were reasonably successful on the local scene. I was introduced to the work of the folk icon Bob Dylan by a work friend. I was immediately impressed then by the power of his lyrics and remain in awe of them now. Subsequently I learned to play the acoustic guitar and embarked upon singing in pubs, clubs and restaurants, eventually meeting up with Mick Groves of the Spinners folk group who recorded my first album ‘Young Owen’ which contained ‘Mist’.
Jack Owen’s Story
The Spinners recorded the song on their own album ‘Round World’ as did several other groups. This singing career of mine ran parallel to my other job as a drama teacher from which I have recently retired. Highlights of my musical career include supporting Chris De Burgh at the Liverpool garden festival in 1985. I have toured Norway, Holland and played in several U.S.A. cities playing Celtic music, which I love. In 1981 I represented Britain in the massive Eastern European Rostock music festival which was televised all over the continent.
I was backed by the Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra no less singing Mist Over the Mersey. More recently in 2004 I was one of the guest performers at the Liverpool Philharmonic celebrating the life of the influential Cavern D.J. Bob Wooler alongside The Dakotas and The Mersey Beats amongst others. Today I still play this music with some excellent local musicians such as Banjo Eddie Hughes and John O’Hare. With these talented players I have made several tapes and CDs. I have just completed an album of my own songs with Ian Lewis (an excellent musician and sound producer) in his Whitby Studio. This brings you roughly up to date with my career so far.
August 2024
I must add some notes here about my latest album produced expertly at Brian’s Studio some months ago now. I was steered by Brian quite rightly onto putting my own compositions into the collection. He helped restore my confidence in writing which was waning before his timely intervention.
My mind went back to 1985 when I was support for Chris De Burg at the Garden Festival in Otterspool in Liverpool.
I was asked to do 20 minutes of original songs for 7 thousand people, who when the barriers opened crowded into the rails in front of the stage. Daunting. The BBC recorded the show. I need not have worried as that crowd gave me the reception of a lifetime. When I got backstage the great Chris was there stating how much he liked listening to my own songs. He was so generous. Also, his show was brilliant. Never forget it.
The same night I played to 60 people at the Alacadoo Restaurant in West Kirby. I enjoyed that night just as much as the afternoon in the afternoon.
Brian reminded me that I am a songwriter even though I enjoy playing covers. I owe him my thanks for providing me with a new found will to write songs again.
KEEP FOLK TALKING
WITH Jack Owen
Join Brian Jones and his good friend Jack Owen as they delve into the life and career of the singer-songwriter himself on this episode of “Keep Folk Talking.”
