JOHN HOWIE & ROSEWOOD BLUFF - The Return Of... (Blue Vinyl)

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: LP-SMR-089C
Barcode: 0634457204089
Release Date: 18 Apr 2025
Genre: Country

The Return of…John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff (Schoolkids Records) heralds the reappearance of North Carolina’s finest honky tonkin’, soulful country-rockers. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of John Howie Jr.’s iconic career as a band leader/singer/songwriter, from the legendary Two Dollar Pistols through to the Rosewood Bluff, with a 2018 solo album thrown in for good measure. 

Howie has built a legacy of authentic, roots-driven country music. The Rosewood Bluff’s five-piece lineup features Nathan Golub on pedal steel guitar, Tim Shearer on electric guitar, Mark Connor on bass, Dave Hartman (Southern Culture on the Skids) on drums, and Howie on rhythm guitar, with the whole outfit fueled by his rich baritone on lead vocals. Their sound shifts effortlessly between honky-tonk shuffles, driving country-rock numbers, and deep soul ballads. 

The album’s 12 tracks explore the struggles and resilience of underdogs navigating life’s complexities. With heartfelt storytelling, The Return of… reaffirms Howie’s place as a  master of honky-tonk, offering hope and grit for these challenging times. The album is  set for release on April 18th.

TRACK LISTING
Who Needs the Neon
(There's a) Ghost in My Room
Easy on Me
Breakin' Up
Some People
Never Enough
In the Back of My Mind 
The Only Problem I Really Have (is You)She's Just 
Missin Me
Gotta Getaway
How Can I Make You Love Me 
My Memory (Ain't What it Used to Be)