Robert J. “Bob” Rowe (born September 21, 1954 in Battle Creek, Michigan) is a noted musical performer and recording artist. He is also well known as a crusader for residents of long term care facilities.
Bob Rowe founded the nonprofit Renaissance Enterprises in 1988 for the benefit of residents of nursing homes, VA hospitals, and similar facilities. Since then he has devoted much of his life to bringing live music to the residents.
In 2006 he received the Mother Theresa Award, sponsored by the St. Bernadette Institute of Sacred Art. The award was for his role as American friend of the elderly, especially in the field of music.
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Rowe began his career singing in local clubs and coffee houses, in Chicago, Detroit, New York, Milwaukee, and other cities through-out the United States and Canada.
In the late 1970s and early 80s, he began to concentrate on performances for "special" groups and audiences, such as the developmentally disabled, visually impaired, and the beloved elderly. His music was inspired (and mentored) by Judy Collins, Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary.
His appreciation for those audiences and their needs led to his formation of the nonprofit Renaissance Enterprises. For a decade Rowe maintained a correspondence with Mother Teresa about his work and sought her advice.
In 1994, Mother Teresa wrote: "Your work of love in nursing homes, hospitals and for the aged, the neglected and the forgotten is truly the work of peace, for the fruit of love is service and the fruit of service is peace. Works of love like yours bring one face to face with God. Continue to use music to make the presence of God - His love and compassion better known to those in need - His little ones who have forgotten to smile. My prayer is with you in a special way and also with all connected with Renaissance Enterprises."
By bringing live music to residents of long term care facilities he seeks to deliver messages of love, healing and hope. (Abundant medical literature exists supporting the benefits of music to elderly and people with significant impairments, e.g., physical pain, mental illness. See: Music therapy.)
Recognition for his work has come from many quarters. These include the United Catholic Music/Video Association award (2003) and the Giraffe Heroes Project award (1996) for sticking his neck out. He was also noted by Time Magazine as a local hero (1997). Recognition includes:
• Familyland Television Network Christmas Special, with Bob as their lead artist.
• Weekly Reader magazine recognized Bob in February, 1997, as a “hero.”
His recordings include nineteen albums (records, cassettes and CDs) from 1974 to 2006. His work includes folk and country music, Irish ballads and standards. Proceeds from sales of many of his recordings go directly to the work of Renaissance Enterprises.
• ‘’When October Goes’’ (2006) CD, September • ‘’Christmas is Here’’ (2003) CD, September • ‘’Healer of the Universe’’ (2001) CD, September/Heartbeat • ‘’Tom Thumb’s Blues’’ - Tribute to Judy Collins (2000) CD, September • ‘’Celebration’’ (1998) CD, Revolution/Heartbeat • ‘’Christmas Bells’’ (1997) CD, Revolution/TNR • ‘’Portraits’’ (1997) CD, Revolution/Heartbeat • ‘’Coming Home Again’’ (1996) CD, Revolution • ‘’We Are One’’ (1996) CD, Revolution/Heartbeat • ‘’One Heart’’ (1994) CD, September • ‘’Love Song’‘ (1994) Cassette, September • ‘’A Christmas Song’’ (1991) Cassette, September • ‘’From The Heart’’ (1989), Cassette, Renaissance, • ‘’Bless The Lord’’ (1988) Cassette, Resource Pub. • ‘’We Are One’’ (1987) Cassette, Resource Publications • ‘’You & Me’’ (1985) Cassette, September • ‘’A New Beginning’’ (1981) LP, World Library • ‘’Don't Let It End Like This’’ (1978) Single • ‘’Love IS All That Matters’’ (1974) Single, Venture
• ‘’Loving and Caring for One Another’’ (current, on line) • ‘’We Are One Songbook’’ (1999) • ‘’Bless the Lord Songbook’’ (1989) • ‘’We Are One Songbook’’ (1987) • ‘’The Best of All Seasons (Poetry)’’ (1984) • ‘’A New Beginning (Songbook)’’ (1984) • ‘’People’s Mass Book’’ (1983)
Numerous media appearances include his Christmas special for Familyland Television (2005), and appearances on Sirius radio and XM radio. Others are shown as follows:
• TCT Network (2005) • Skyangel Network (2005) • XM Satellite Radio Christmas Specials (2003,4) • PBS Short Documentary (1998) • TBN (1998) • Kalamazoo Lively Arts (2003) • Eternal Word TV (1997,8)
Time Magazine article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986297-2,00.html Clear Channel article about Bob Rowe: http://newmusic.clearchannel.com/artist/bobrowe The Nashville Nobody Knows: http://candacecorrigan.com/v-web/b2/index.php?m=200512 Catholic Jukebox: http://www.apostlemusic.com/jukebox/artist2.asp?Artist_ID=572 Heartbeat Records: http://www.heartbeatrecords.com/artist.asp?artistid=28 Singer Songwriter Directory: http://singer-songwriter.com/genre/folk/folk77.html