Kevin Fowler’s music rocks. Some might think it an odd comment about a county artist, but Fowler is an artist who goes a long way to showing that country, can indeed, “rock”. Before you even hear the music just noting the gear her prefers now and what he has used over the years show indebtedness not only to the greats of country but also of rock music.

He plays a Tom Anderson Hollow T Classic. The guitar has a 25 ½ scale length and a hollow sound chamber. Anderson is a California-based company making electrics for the past 20 years. Players who use Anderson Guitars (if not this exact model) include Clint Black, Carlos Santana, Bob Seger, Edie Brickell and numerous others. But Anderson Guitars is not where Fowler started.

"I started a Gibson man. I am a p-90 fan." he says.

Fowler plays a Les Paul Jr. and a Les Paul Deluxe Gold Top. Both are reissues.

"I had a 57 Junior that I let slip away like an idiot. Now at a vintage shop that one is so expensive." says Fowler.

But missing that instrument doesn’t make him necessarily want a vintage guitar—and it isn’t just the money.

“I don't even care to try,” says Fowler. “If you find one they are gonna get beer spilled on them. Don't take anything on the road you can't afford to lose"

The Gibson sound—the old school sound—is what Fowler wants from his guitar.

"It is a nice thick sound--chunky. I grew up playing rock n roll. Had to get that tone--grew up on Joe Perry, Peter Frampton,” he says. “Everyone I liked played a Les Paul"

Fowler’s live show is more rocking than his records. Sometimes he says he doesn’t even see the point of playing on his records, considering the session players he uses (including David Grissom, J.T. Corenflos, Brent Mason and many others).

"When you get that caliber of player? I don't even play on my own records!" says Fowler.

When it comes to amps Fowler uses Sewell Amplification—a small Texas-based company.

"He hand wires every single amp--every amplifier is built from the frame up. A lot of Texas players are using them." says Fowler.

He also says he has always had a Dr. Z amp and has used a Matchles DC-30.

"As long as it is tube I am not a big pre amp guy. Get those power tubes thumping." says Fowler.

And he has no concerns about the rigors of the road impacting his tube amp’s performance—especially not the Sewell.

"You get a good set of tubes and keep a volt meter on the bus. Sewells have an outlet for a volt meter. You can check it yourself," he says. “Younger players are ok with solid state--the sound is what they grew up on. I am a sucker for a Marshal 4x12.”

And Fowler knows the road like the back of his hand. He started touring in 1998 and hasn’t stopped.

"This year I took one weekend off" he says. "We never fall under 150 dates a year. This year 170 shows."

When it comes to the best places to play he lists them off--Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. But then he adds "And anything that ends in 'Texas'"

Kevin Fowler is, not surprisingly, currently on tour.