Apart from a broken string and a few guitar switches, Tim Bowers played a flawless set at Nova Scotia's Keggers Alehouse on January 5, 2012. Emerging Music's editor Danielle Crowe caught up with the musician afterwards for a quick interview.

EM – What do you like most about your music profession?
TB – That it’s not a profession. I do it as a hobby and I have all my life.

EM – What do you like least?
TB – When guitar strings break! (Laughs)

EM – How long have you been playing music?
TB – I’ve been playing onstage for 33 years since the age of 14.

EM – Did your family, spouse, friends, etc. have a positive reaction to your music path?
TB – Yes, I come from a musical family. They were always very supportive.

EM – Who are your music inspirations?
TB – Oh, there’s far too many to list! Merle Haggard, Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellancamp are the main ones that come to mind.

EM – How has your music changed since you first began playing?
TB – I have mellowed. I started out as a rock ‘n roll singer and didn’t play an instrument at all. I now play folk-rock and I am a singer/songwriter instead of a cover singer.

EM – What influenced you to begin playing music?
TB – It just came natural to me. It’s in my genes.

EM – How do you balance your music with your other obligations (career, family, etc.)?
TB – I’ve been doing it since the age of 14 so everything has kind of fallen into place in terms of scheduling.

EM – How do you handle mistakes during performances?
TB – I break out in a sweat (laughs), and although my mind goes out of whack for a few minutes I push through it until everything goes back to being right. I end by laughing it off.

EM – What advice do you give beginning musicians?
TB – Be like Nike and “Just Do It!”

After Tim’s successful CD release concert on Dec. 12th, 2011 at the Bicentennial Theatre, all proceeds from tickets and CD sales went to the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. He was also able to raise more than $3,000 at the Marigold Centre CD release show in Truro, NS on Nov. 10th, 2011 for the important wildlife cause.

Check out Tim Bower’s personal website for songs, videos and more information.
http://www.timbowers.ca/