Born in San Francisco, California, Ken Owen is a Bay Area native that has been making music since his early teens. His exposure to a wide variety of music helped develop his ear and appreciation for all musical styles from classical to rock-n-roll, and from traditional country to jazz.
Ken served as musical co-director for The Rick Slyter Band for more than 20 years and helped the band become one of the most in-demand local groups for weddings and parties through the 80's and 90's. Ken later went on to become part of the Bay Area Music Award winning country-jazz quartet The Ten Gallon Cats featuring guitarist Jim Campilongo , while also backing up folk legend Peter Rowan at festivals including Telluride Bluegrass (Colorado), Strawberry and High Sierra (California). Ken also played with local country music favorites Mental Revenge featuring Joe Goldmark and Gary Wayne Claxton, and Johnny Dilks and his Visitation Valley Boys.
More recently Ken was a member of the "2005 Best Bay Area Alternative Country Band" Valerie Jay and The Americanos (country rock originals). Ken can also be heard playing in Bay Area clubs with:
David Elias and The Casualtees (electric folk-rock)
Doug Blumer and The BeerHunters (alternative and traditional country)
Johnny Dilks and his Country Soul Brothers (60s country)
Ken has also enjoyed helping out these highly recommended Bay Area bands on a few shows:
Bravo featuring Doug Adamz (celtic)
Big Lou's Polka Casserole (traditional and modern polkas)
Ruffstock (new country)
Big B. and his Snakeoil Saviours (western swing big band)
The Cowlicks (alternative bluegrass/country)
Darlene Langston with the Larry Oleno Quartet (jazz and blues)