Podcast Summary: The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler – Episode 326: Philip Bowen Finds Fiddling Through Sesame Street

Podcast Information:

• Title: The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler
• Host: Ryan Sickler
• Episode: 326: Philip Bowen Finds Fiddling Through Sesame Street
• Release Date: March 24, 2025
• Description: The HoneyDew is a storytelling podcast hosted by comedian Ryan Sickler, focusing on highlighting and laughing at the lowlights of life, inspired by Ryan's challenging upbringing.

Introduction of Guest: Philip Bowen [03:50 – 04:26]

Ryan Sickler welcomes Philip Bowen to the show, expressing his admiration for Philip's music. Philip introduces himself as a musician with a debut album titled Old Kanaa, available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. He shares his excitement about upcoming singles and tour dates, directing listeners to his website philipbowenmusic.com.

Notable Quote:

• Philip Bowen [03:50]: "I’m musician, so please go listen to my music. Wherever you get music... Philip Bowen’s the last name. No pun intended."

Philip's Heritage and Upbringing in West Virginia [04:26 – 08:13]

Philip discusses his roots in Montgomery, West Virginia, highlighting the diversity within the state, particularly his Lebanese heritage. His great-grandparents immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1800s, settling in West Virginia where his grandfather ran a general store. Philip emphasizes the strong sense of community and family bonds typical of small-town Appalachia.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Sickler [04:26]: "So, Lebanese for your family, West Virginia, but is also a big area where there's a Lebanese community."
• Philip Bowen [05:33]: "We have a lot of like, wealthier cities and communities, but they're mostly like around Charleston or up in Morgantown."

Impact of the Opioid Epidemic [08:13 – 10:07]

The conversation shifts to the devastating effects of the opioid crisis in West Virginia. Philip shares personal experiences, mentioning how addiction has touched many in his community and family, making it a pervasive challenge that alters lives overnight.

Notable Quote:

• Philip Bowen [09:34]: "Addiction has been a close friend, unfortunately, to our family for a long time... it’s just a true, like, disease there, man."

Family and Early Musical Influences [10:07 – 16:33]

Philip delves into his family dynamics, mentioning his parents' careers—his father in computer science and his mother as a nurse anesthetist. He highlights the musical environment he grew up in, with his family encouraging him and his siblings to learn instruments. Philip began playing the fiddle at four, inspired by Itzhak Perlman’s appearance on Sesame Street.

Notable Quotes:

• Philip Bowen [11:34]: "Music is a big part of everything you do in Appalachia."
• Philip Bowen [12:12]: "Shout out to Sesame Street. They wrote me in, man."

Insight on Instruments: Philip explains the difference between violin and fiddle, emphasizing that it's primarily based on the style of play rather than the instrument itself.

• Philip Bowen [13:33]: "A violin and fiddle, no difference except for how you play it."

Transition to a Serious Music Career [16:33 – 22:48]

Despite his early passion, Philip initially pursued a corporate career, obtaining an MBA in marketing. He balanced his corporate job with music, performing locally and at open mics. The COVID-19 pandemic forced him to pivot to online live performances, which became a turning point in his musical journey. Philip committed to doing something music-related every day, leading to significant personal and professional growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Philip Bowen [20:54]: "In 2020, every single day, I'm going to do something music related every day."
• Philip Bowen [21:03]: "I was like, I'm going to do this."

Achieving Milestones and Overcoming Challenges [22:48 – 35:29]

Philip recounts his gradual rise in the music industry, winning contests like TikTok’s Greatest Talent and appearing on platforms like NPR’s Mountain Stage and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. His persistence paid off, leading to performances alongside notable artists like Darius Rucker.

Notable Quotes:

• Philip Bowen [33:09]: "I got invited to do that. It went really well. I felt great."
• Philip Bowen [35:29]: "And it was like this, this song I put out... it was my biggest song I've ever put out."

Experience on America’s Got Talent (AGT) [35:29 – 47:55]

Philip shares his journey on America’s Got Talent, where he auditioned with an unexpected rendition of System of a Down’s "Chop Suey." His unique approach captured the judges' attention, leading him to the semifinals. Despite technical mishaps during his performance, Philip made it to the top five, though he was eventually edged out by a talented dog act.

Notable Quotes:

• Philip Bowen [41:53]: "I come out there with my flat bill, wearing tennis shoes, and play 'Chop Suey.'"
• Philip Bowen [47:35]: "I made it to the top five in the semifinal."

Personal Struggles and the Healing Power of Music [47:55 – 60:53]

Philip opens up about the soul-crushing experiences of performing for little recognition and the emotional toll of financial struggles. He discusses how music became his saving grace during personal tragedies, including the loss of a child, and how it helped him navigate through immense grief and doubt.

Notable Quotes:

• Philip Bowen [49:25]: "I just shut my laptop and just play music in the room. That's how I would deal with life."
• Philip Bowen [59:21]: "Music has saved my life in multiple ways."

Advice and Reflections [60:53 – 62:27]

Reflecting on his journey, Philip offers heartfelt advice to his younger self and aspiring musicians. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, planting seeds early, and persevering despite setbacks.

Notable Quotes:

• Philip Bowen [55:11]: "Keep planting your seeds. Stay yourself, stay yourself, stay yourself."
• Philip Bowen [61:06]: "Chase the dream. It’s never, never too early. Just try your best to believe it."

Closing Performance [62:27 – 63:04]

The episode concludes with Philip Bowen performing a heartfelt rendition of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” encapsulating his deep connection to West Virginia and his musical roots.

Performance Excerpt:

• Philip Bowen [62:27]:

  Almost heaven, West Virginia
  Blue Ridge Mountain, Shenandoah River
  Life is old there, older than the trees
  Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze
  Country roads, take me home
  To the place I belong
  West Virginia, mountain mama
  Take me home, country roads
  

Conclusion: In this episode of The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler, Philip Bowen shares an inspiring and candid narrative of his journey from a small-town West Virginia upbringing to the stages of national talent shows. Through his struggles with the opioid epidemic, corporate life, and personal loss, Philip illustrates how unwavering passion and the healing power of music can redefine one's path and bring profound personal fulfillment.

Notable Takeaways:

• Perseverance: Philip’s relentless pursuit of his music career despite numerous setbacks demonstrates the importance of resilience.
• Community and Heritage: His Lebanese roots and West Virginia upbringing highlight the significance of cultural diversity and community support.
• Healing Through Art: Music serves as a therapeutic outlet for Philip, helping him navigate through personal tragedies and mental health challenges.
• Authenticity: Staying true to oneself and embracing unique talents are crucial for genuine success and fulfillment.

Final Quote:

• Philip Bowen [61:59]: "Chase the dream. It’s never, never too early. Just try your best to believe it."

For More Information:

• Philip Bowen's Music: philipbowenmusic.com
• Follow The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler: RyanSickler.com and on all major social media platforms.