Podcast Summary: The Wayback with Ryan Sickler – Episode 85: Philip Bowen

Release Date: August 14, 2025

In Episode 85 of The Wayback with Ryan Sickler, host Ryan Sickler welcomes musician Philip Bowen for an engaging and nostalgic conversation. The episode journeyed through Philip's early life, musical upbringing, memorable sports moments, and personal anecdotes, culminating in a delightful live musical performance. Here's a detailed breakdown of the key discussions and insights shared during the episode.

1. Introduction and Promotion [00:07 - 00:55]

Ryan begins by expressing gratitude to the listeners and introduces Philip Bowen, highlighting his upcoming music projects:

Ryan Sickler [00:07]: "I'm very grateful that you guys are digging this show. This is such a fun show to do, and I'm very excited to have this guest with me today here."

Philip takes the opportunity to promote his music:

Philip Bowen [00:33]: "Philip Bowen, you can find me however you listen to music. Spotify, Apple, Amazon. However you do your thing, come find my music. New album coming out later this year."

2. Family and Early Life [00:55 - 02:03]

Philip shares stories about his father, a passionate salesman who frequently bought and sold cars, providing a vibrant backdrop to his childhood:

Philip Bowen [01:05]: "My papa Bowen, my grandpa Bowen was like, he would buy and sell everything. Salesman for his whole thing."

A humorous anecdote reveals his father's knack for finding questionable deals:

Philip Bowen [01:54]: "He got on shoes one time, and he shows up at church with these dress shoes...he starts walking around barefoot."

3. Musical Beginnings and Education [02:03 - 05:15]

Ryan delves into Philip's early musical journey, noting he began fiddling at four years old:

Ryan Sickler [02:03]: "Before we get into some. Right there, brother. Promote it all."

Philip recounts his weekly music classes at WVUIT in Montgomery, West Virginia, under Dr. Meyer:

Philip Bowen [02:28]: "Music class is once a week on Wednesdays... Dr. Meyer was the main music teacher there."

4. Synesthesia and Music Perception [03:47 - 04:50]

Philip discusses his unique way of experiencing music, likening it to colors and visual imagery, which enhanced his musical creativity:

Philip Bowen [04:17]: "I could see it almost like you would draw one like. Like a poster like that and color it in."

5. Sports Memories: Randy Moss and Jason Williams [08:09 - 11:39]

The conversation shifts to Philip's vivid memories of watching renowned athletes Randy Moss and Jason Williams play high school sports. He reminisces about their exceptional skills and the community's enthusiasm:

Philip Bowen [09:02]: "Randy Moss is dunking on everybody. And we watched him that year go play in like the state tournament."

Ryan highlights a Nike commercial featuring these stars, reinforcing Philip's impactful memories:

Ryan Sickler [09:53]: "Nobody could guard Randy. Nobody."

6. Growing Up in West Virginia: Small Town Life [06:07 - 07:55]

Philip paints a picture of his upbringing in Boomer and Montgomery, WV, emphasizing the tight-knit community, local eateries, and the significance of basketball:

Philip Bowen [06:47]: "Basketball is king, bro. People love basketball. It's like a cult there."

He fondly describes local favorites like Tudor's Biscuit World and the iconic Burger Cart:

Philip Bowen [07:19]: "That's our tutors, right? That's the tutors. And see the burger carts next door with the red awning?"

7. Musical Competitions and Fiddle Contests [13:07 - 14:11]

Philip shares his participation in fiddle contests at events like the Vandalia Gathering, highlighting his early achievements and passion for music:

Philip Bowen [13:48]: "I won the fiddle contest when I was 5, like in my little, you know, age group."

8. Personal Anecdotes and Pranks [18:02 - 20:29]

Philip recounts playful sibling pranks with his younger brother Patrick, illustrating their mischievous yet affectionate relationship:

Philip Bowen [19:02]: "I covered his whole face in this cheeky gel blush...we get this big fight."

He humorously describes retaliatory pranks that led to early morning chaos:

Philip Bowen [19:56]: "We get in trouble. And so that night, I'm gonna get up Monday to try to, like, jog a little bit."

9. Awkward Date Story: Mortuary Showroom [22:07 - 27:41]

One of the episode's standout moments is Philip's vivid and humorous recounting of an awkward attempt to woo a girl with his musical talents. The date takes an unexpected turn when he's invited to her family's mortuary showroom:

Philip Bowen [24:23]: "And we walk in and all of a sudden it just smells very medical in here... this is a mortuary funeral home place."

The situation escalates comically as Philip's girlfriend and her brother enthusiastically participate, leaving Philip bewildered:

Philip Bowen [26:08]: "And she jumps in a pink casket, the brother's in a casket... I was just standing there."

10. Cultural Traditions in Sports and Music [28:00 - 28:50]

Ryan and Philip discuss the unique tradition at Camden Yards where "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" is played during the seventh-inning stretch instead of the classic "Take Me Out to the Ball Game":

Ryan Sickler [28:00]: "Tradition began in the mid-70s for a contemporary song to play instead of Take Me Out."

Philip enthusiastically shares his experience performing this tradition live:

Philip Bowen [28:34]: "I even did it there."

11. Musical Performance [28:54 - 30:09]

The episode culminates in a lively musical performance where Ryan and Philip collaborate. They perform a rendition of "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," showcasing Philip's fiddle skills and adding a personal touch to the tradition:

Philip Bowen [30:01]: "Thank God I'm a country boy yeah. Yeah."

12. Closing Remarks and Promotion [30:10 - End]

Philip wraps up the episode by reiterating his music promotion:

Philip Bowen [30:12]: "Listen, anywhere you're on social media, I'm there. Philip Bowen Music."

Ryan thanks Philip for his participation and encourages listeners to follow both on social media:

Ryan Sickler [30:28]: "This is fun, dude. This is so much fun."

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Early Musical Development: Philip's immersive early exposure to music and his synesthetic perception significantly shaped his musical talents and career.
• Community and Culture: Growing up in a small West Virginian town fostered a strong sense of community, particularly around basketball and local traditions.
• Memorable Anecdotes: Personal stories, such as the mortuary showroom date, highlight Philip's humorous and relatable side.
• Musical Passion: Philip's dedication to music is evident through his competitions, performances, and ongoing projects.

Notable Quotes

• Philip Bowen [04:17]: "I could see it almost like you would draw one like. Like a poster like that and color it in."
• Philip Bowen [09:02]: "Randy Moss is dunking on everybody. And we watched him that year go play in like the state tournament."
• Philip Bowen [24:23]: "And all of a sudden it just smells very medical in here... this is a mortuary funeral home place."
• Ryan Sickler [28:00]: "Tradition began in the mid-70s for a contemporary song to play instead of Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

Conclusion

Episode 85 of The Wayback with Ryan Sickler offers a heartfelt and entertaining glimpse into Philip Bowen's life, blending personal stories with musical passion. From his early days in West Virginia to his unique experiences blending sports and music, Philip's narrative is both inspiring and relatable. The episode not only highlights his upcoming musical projects but also cements his role as a storyteller who connects deeply with his audience.

Listeners are encouraged to follow Philip Bowen's musical journey through his website philipbowenmusic.com and his various social media platforms.