AshevilleFM Live Music Sessions – Scenic Radio

Owen Walsh has been telling stories and performing music his entire life. Born and raised on the banks of the Lackawaxen River in Honesdale, Pennsylvania—a small, historic coal-mining town that spawned the American railroad—Owen grew up surrounded by relics of 19th Century American life and imagery ripe for musical exploitation. More than his hometown’s history, however, Owen fell in love with the natural beauty of Northeast Pennsylvania. Kayaking the Delaware River, spying on raptors through binoculars, clambering up and down the native magnolia and oak trees, and spending endless hours out in the woods with his yellow lab mix, Allie.

Owen began playing violin at the age of three, studying formal repertoire like Mozart concertos and Bach sonatas. At 12 years old, he found his dad’s dusty, old Epiphone guitar tucked away in a closet and taught himself how to play. Soon after he learned his first few chords, Owen began writing songs. He’s followed in the long tradition of Americana folk music, in which lyrics are equal in importance to the melodies that bind them.

His years of formal training combined with his zest for informal improvisation create a unique blend of musical expression that incorporates the many styles Owen loves.

Owen spent years hiding his passion for singing from the world—only singing quietly to himself when (he thought) none of his family members could hear him. He didn’t publicly showcase his voice until junior year of high school, when he performed The Beatles song “Come Together” in the yearly talent show. The overwhelmingly positive response he got from that performance was life changing, and helped Owen realize that he wanted to pursue musical performance as a career. (Needless to say, his class won the talent show that year).

Owen then convinced his parents to let him make a go of it performing music around town. He got his first professional gig at 16 years old, and he hasn’t stopped since. He’s performed all over, including Nashville, New York City, Los Angeles and Ireland. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing a small open mic or a sold-out show, Owen performs with the same bluesy, earnest passion, no matter who’s listening.

Owen attended Ithaca College, studying journalism and music. He received instruction from classical guitar master Pablo Cohen, who helped broaden Owen’s own musical vocabulary and abilities. Owen performed frequently around campus, winning competitions and contributing electric guitar to the band South Hill Revival, whose music is available on streaming services.

Owen has just completed writing and recording his debut album, On My Way, an eclectic mix of 12 songs, including the rye-whiskey-infused fantasy “Kings & Pharaohs,” whose lyrics were inspired by Edward Hopper’s painting Nighthawks; “Bad Dream,” a song that explores Owen’s childhood fears of an eternal afterlife; and “Time To Go,” a country ballad Owen wrote from the point of view of an old-timer who was born in a small town and never left.

In his daylight hours, Owen also works as a freelance journalist, so whether it’s in print or on stage, he’s always telling a story to somebody.