The moment you hear Layne Bowen talk about music, you feel the fuse light. He grew up in a house where harmony was normal, learned pitch before preschool, and picked up enough instruments to build songs piece by piece. That foundation became the engine behind a bold move: leaving a day job, booking 160 shows a year, and earning a shot to open for ZZ Top—sealed by writing a brand-new original two days before the gig.
We trade stories from Pocatello’s past and present—Johnny B. Goode's chrome and jukebox nights, First National Bar as a launchpad, and a local lineup that keeps Idaho’s scene buzzing. Layne opens up about craft and process: start with a feeling on an instrument, let melody surface, then write words that match the energy. Some songs arrive in a midnight sprint, like Gone. Others, like Baby Hold On, turn conflict into connection and often feature his wife Courtney onstage, keeping family at the center of the work.
What stands out is how Layne defines success. He’d rather play to the room’s heart than chase the spotlight. He tells us why he keeps most shows within a three-hour drive while Courtney finishes school, how he reverse-engineered a thumb-pick to keep gigging after an injury, and why he believes local venues and nonprofit events matter just as much as headline moments. Expect shout-outs to Idaho Soul, Hal Waldram, and more, plus details on upcoming dates at First National Bar, the Bannock County Fair, and a New Year’s Eve block party with fireworks for Rise and Respond.
If you care about live music, community, and the real work it takes to grow a career without losing your compass, this conversation will stick with you. Listen, share with a friend who loves the Idaho scene, and learn more about Layne Bowen!