Wade Bowen ‘So Proud’ as Bowen MusicFest Raises $500K for Charity
Country music was on full display in the heart of Texas as Bowen MusicFest took over Baylor University's McLane Stadium in Waco on April 9-10. The two-day concert event — the brainchild of Wade Bowen — raised more than $500,000 for local charities, bringing the event's total over 20 years to $6 million.
"I never dreamed that we'd still be at it 20 years and millions of dollars later," Bowen shares with People. "I'm so proud of the way my family, friends and hometown continue to step up with hearts and hands to help make Waco a better place. We believe that music heals, and I can't wait to see the good we can do for the community with the funds raised thanks to this incredible group of musicians."
2022 marked the first two-day event for BowenFest. The lineup featured Bowen, fellow Texas natives Parker McCollum and Randy Rogers, Lainey Wilson, Deana Carter, Josh Abbott and many more.
The Central Texas native started the Bowen Family Foundation in order to give back to the community that shaped him. The foundation focuses on healing children and families across the Waco area. Their mission states, "Together, we can help them get the love, support, resources and opportunities they need to create better lives for themselves. Because we believe that is what community is all about."
Charities that benefit from the event include the Waco chapters of March of Dimes, Boys and Girls Club, St. Jude, the Salvation Army and CASA, as well as several other local organizations. The Bowen Family Foundation also hosts an annual charity golf tournament, the Bowen Classic.
Bowen has quite a few shows on the calendar for 2022. A slew of festivals and concerts stretches into August. He also released a new EP, Where Phones Don't Work, on Nov. 19.