Leslie Bowe

LESLIE BOWE

Leslie Bowe is a soulful singer-songwriter rooted in Pittsburgh grit and Nashville tradition. After moving to Music City in 2017 to pursue a professional Country songwriting career, he quickly rediscovered the pull of performing his own music. A seasoned artist and storyteller, Leslie has released four independent albums. His sound blends the organic warmth of Country, Americana, Acoustic Soul, and retro Singer-Songwriter traditions.

As a songwriter, Leslie is a two-time honoree of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Member Awards, winning the prestigious Evaluator Song of the Year award in 2020 and earning another nomination in 2022. He has also been recognized numerous times through NSAI’s Top 40 Song Showcase in Honor of Bob Kingsley, EARS “Ones to Watch,” and live publisher pitch selections.

Over the course of his performing career, Leslie has opened for artists including Patty Griffin, Ben Harper, UB40, and The Wailers. As a songwriter, his songs have been recorded and released by artists including the Darrin Morris Band, whose recording of “I Can Drink in This Bar” reached #8 on the Texas Internet Radio Chart, #11 on the American Country Music Chart, and #17 on the Texas Country Music Chart; Kevin Herchen with “Betcha”; and Matthew Wayne with “Can’t Put into Words,” with more on the way.

Leslie remains an active part of Nashville’s creative music community, performing at writer rounds and venues including the iconic Bluebird Cafe, the Commodore Grille, BNA’s Arrivals to Music City stage, Bobby’s Idle Hour, Musicians Corner at Nashville’s Centennial Park, and many other Nashville stages and signature writer rounds.

In 2024, Leslie co-authored The Songwriter’s Guide to Protecting Your Songs and Collecting Your Money, a resource created to help independent songwriters navigate the modern music industry and the collection of songwriting royalties.

In 2025, Leslie was selected as a “Writer to Watch” for the Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival in legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He was chosen from a competitive field of songwriters by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, including Lee Krabel of SMACK Songs, Casey Le’Vasseur of 3 Ring Circus Music, and hit songwriter/producer Anthony Smith.

In 2026, Leslie achieved an international songwriting milestone when “Imagine If,” co-written with Scott Voelkerding and Steve Smentek, was named the winner of the Tipperary International Song of Peace in Ireland. Leslie traveled to County Tipperary to perform the song live at the international final at Templeneiry Old Church in Bansha, where “Imagine If” received the competition’s top honor, the Joe Quinn Award.

The victory marked a remarkable full-circle moment in Leslie’s songwriting journey. Eighteen years earlier, in 2008, he had earned second place in the same international competition with “If Only for Today.” In 2026, he returned to Tipperary with another song of hope and peace—and this time brought the winning trophy home to Nashville.

Leslie’s work is honest, heartfelt, and deeply human—music made to feel, not just hear. Whether performing live, writing for others, or continuing to build his catalog, he remains committed to chasing the kind of timeless songwriting that crosses boundaries, connects people, and leaves a mark. Fresh. Honest. Soulful.