Away from dirty pots and pans at Lentz Cafeteria, Billie Bowden finds love and relaxation with his music.

I usually practice after work, he said. It is the most relaxing thing. I’m really tired, but playing music just brings it right out of me.

While working in University Housing for 11 years Bowden, a Carbondale resident, unwinds by playing with his band, Ear-Relevant. But he finds it hard to separate work form song.

Advertisement

I always sing at work, he said. I used to work with another guy, and we would always sing. We would have to be separated so that we would work instead of sing.

Ear-Relevant consists of his 16-year-old daughter, Kerry, on vocals and Becki Dielfield, who plays the tambourine and also sings.

Continuing a family tradition, Bowden has been playing with a variety of bands since the ’50s. All members of his family bring their musical talent to family gatherings. Together they make music.

I was really inspired by relatives and uncles ever since I was little, he said. If it wasn’t for my uncle I would have never gotten involved in music.

Music has always been a large part of Bowden’s life.

He was stationed in England for three years with the Navy in the early ’60s and was exposed to the Beatles before they appeared in the United States.

British music was more intricate and interesting, he said. When I came back to America, people thought that I was nuts because they had never heard that style of music before.

Advertisement*

The joy of playing music took its toll on Bowden. After years of playing bass in rock n’ roll bands, he feared hearing loss.

I had so much damage to my ear due to the drums and screaming guitar, he said. I thought I’d lose my hearing.

But giving up music was not an option for Bowden. Fate served him an offer he could not resist when Dielfield, of Cobden, gave him a call.

I was asked to sing at a wedding, she said. The person I was going to sing with was sick, and I was told to call Billie. We had the same taste in music, and we sounded really good together.

Dielfield saved his music and his hearing

In their search for a more mellow sound, Bowden and Dielfield fell into playing classic acoustic rock like the Everly Brothers, Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

But the band was not complete.

And six months ago, while Dielfield and Bowden practiced in his living room, Kerry shyly stepped up to the microphone.

One evening Kerry started singing along with me, Dielfield said. And we’ve been together ever since.

It was only fitting that Kerry started to sing with her dad, to continue the family tradition of being a musician.

I was intimidated to play with him at first, Kerry said. But I have always sang with my family and have been influenced by them.

While Bowden plays the guitar with perfection, Kerry and Dielfield blend their voices to make Ear-Relevant successful.

As all the pieces fell into place, the new band was able to take their music to local coffee houses and bars.

The three member band fit all of Bowden’s needs.

It felt almost like destiny, he said.

Playing different types of music is what keeps Ear-Relevant’s sound unique, but sometimes they come across a song that touches their hearts.

Sometimes the songs have a lot of personal significance, Bowden said. I can’t help but to get choked up.

But making music means more than lyrics, Bowden says, as he fondly pats his guitar.

It’s all beat up, Bowden said. It’s been all around with me. It was one of the greatest gifts that I have ever received.

Factoid:Ear-Relevant will be performing on Jan. 23 at Cousin Andy’s, 402 W. Mill St., at 7:30 p.m.. The cover is $3 for students and a $5 donation for adults.