Bryan Bowers: Master of the Autoharp

For over six decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the fivestring banjo. He presents instrumental virtuosity combined with warmth, eloquence, expression, and professionalism.

Born in Yorktown, Virginia, Bryan Bowers was raised in New Bohemia. Bowers discovered music when he took up the guitar.“The roots of the music had gone real deep in me. Music was real fulfilling; unlike anything I had ever done before.”

It wasn’t long before Bowers encountered the autoharp. “I ran into a guy that played several instruments and could get the harp in good tune. He played without any fingerpicks, just with his fingernails. He had a real sprightly style on it. It was the first time I’d heard someone play it in good tune and play it well. It opened my eyes and my ears. I went out and got one the next day.”