Beloved Performer And Songwriter Ronnie Bowman Died On March 22
Plans have been made for Ronnie Bowman’s funeral service and visitation.
Ronnie Bowman was a beloved performer and songwriter with ties to the country and bluegrass communities. He found his footing playing in the bluegrass group the Lonesome River Band and also released four solo albums.
Additionally, Ronnie wrote songs recorded by artists such as Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, and Chris Stapleton. He and Chris co-wrote “Nobody to Blame” with Barry Bales, and it won the ACM Award for Song of the Year in 2016.
On Sunday (March 22), news broke that Ronnie was in critical condition following a motorcycle accident on March 21. Sadly, a little later on March 22, it was confirmed that Ronnie had passed away.
His wife, Garnet Imes Bowman, released a statement on social media, saying:
“Ronnie was beloved by so many in our music community, whom he loved so dearly… and we are beyond grateful for all of the love & outpouring toward us already. Right now, as we process, we just covet your prayers. We have no words at this time, but thank you and graciously request that you honor our privacy while we try to put our heads around this and grieve.”
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Many of Ronnie’s famous friends, including Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Dierks Bentley, and Dan Tyminski, paid tribute to him after his passing.
One of the most meaningful tributes came from Dan Tyminski, who played with Ronnie in the Lonesome River Band. Calling him his “brother,” he said:
“We formed a bond years ago that we carried with us through life knowing that we had something special together. For a long time no one thought of my name without his being attached. We were a pair. I am not the man I am today without him in my life. The whole world will feel this devastating loss and he will forever be my brother.“
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Ronnie Bowman’s Funeral Arrangements Announced
The Spring Hill Funeral Home in Nashville published Ronnie’s obituary. The obituary shares some of the highlights from his extraordinary career. But most of all, it focuses on who Ronnie was as a person.
“Ronnie had a huge smile that wrinkled his dark brown eyes, and he was always smiling,” the obituary reads at one point. “In conversations, co-writing sessions, or brief exchanges, he was quick with a joke and eager to listen. Ronnie made everyone feel special because to him, everybody mattered.”
Ronnie loved his family more than anything. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son.
His survivors include his wife of 23 years, Garnet Imes Bowman; daughters Chassidy Bowman Miller and Christy Bowman Bottoms; sons-in-law Scott Miller and Shawn Bottoms; father Colonel Bowman; mother-in-law Janet Imes; sisters Debbie Bowman Miller, Becky Dixon, and Kathy Brown; brother-in-law Terry Dixon; and grandchildren Eliza, Isaiah, Madison, and Abigail.
His obituary reads, “We know that Ronnie is with his Savior Jesus in Heaven, although he is terribly missed here on Earth.”
The obituary and a post on Ronnie’s social media pages also reveal details about his funeral. The service will be held at the NorthField Church in Gallatin, Tennessee, on Thursday (March 26). Visitation lasts from 11 AM to 1 PM, with the service following at 1 PM.
Details concerning an upcoming “Celebration of Life” will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of sending flowers, those who wish to honor Ronnie may donate to MusiCares or Gunnison Tough in his memory. Read more about his funeral service below.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew and loved Ronnie Bowman. May he rest in peace…
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