With Hold to a Dream, Cowan recounts his story in conversational tones.... Cowan's recollections are filled out with interviews he conducted with musicians he admired, includingRussell, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Bramlett and Bela Fleck (a member of New Grass in the '80s).
-- "Shepherd Express"
"John Cowan's voice in New Grass Revival expanded the definition of bluegrass. Still with one of the strongest, most beautiful singing voices in the world, his prose voice in Hold to a Dream is just as strong. He entertains us, giving perspective and insight into a lifetime of making music with other giants in the business."
--Lyle Lovett
This book has a unique structure: Cowan tells his story in the first person until the dissolution of his band, and then turns journalist, filling the rest of the book with interviews with celebs he's worked with.... It's an unselfish approach to autobiography which works neatly.
--Record Collector, London
[Cowan's] memoir, which is rounded out with interviews of some of the biggest names in the business, is the history of a half-century of tradition, experimentation, and innovation in one of the most vital and enduring of American musical genres.
--The International Musician
Cowan gives readers a front-row seat for his journey and his relationships with the musicians that have inspired him in Hold to a Dream: A Newgrass Odyssey. He's a gracious and generous artist who elevates those around him and celebrates their artistry.
-- "No Depression"
This book is accessible and enlightening. The casual intimacy of these conversations brings the reader into the room with Cowan and his interview subjects.
--The Nashville Musician
With humility, grace and a keen eye from both a fan and a working musician's perspective, Cowan and Schwartz have certainly written a comfortable fireside musical chat in book form.
--Bob Ruggiero "Houston Press"
"Cowan's voice, for me, will always be the voice of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. No one sings like John Cowan and the sound of his voice, and now this memoir, bring back decades of incredible musical memories. His band, New Grass Revival changed the lives of many, mine included."
--Craig Ferguson, President, Planet Bluegrass
"How many of us have wished we could have "that conversation", with someone who inspired us in our particular field of endeavor? If you're a musician, the answer to that is probably all of us. My friend John Cowan has done the hard part for the rest of us by way of a wonderful collection of personal conversations he's enjoyed with some of the most iconic musical artists of our time. I highly recommend this heartfelt and enlightening read."
--Michael McDonald, singer and songwriter
"I've known John for over fifty years and no matter what he does, you can't unfriend him."
--Tom Britt
"John Cowan introduced the bluegrass community to a level of vocal virtuosity it had never dreamed of, along with a sense of fun and curiosity that is to this day as infectious as it is inspiring."
--Chris Thile
"John Cowan is one of the most talented and unique singers I've ever heard. The way he was able to bring a singing style mostly heard in rock or contemporary music into bluegrass and please that audience was an amazing thing. I've loved his voice since I heard it the very first time. He's a humble and thankful man. I'm a fan!"
--Ricky Skaggs
"John Cowan is tapped into the musical life force. It's hard for him not to thrill you. With his sky-scraping voice and his thunderous bass, he was the perfect foil to the equally powerful Sam Bush in the legendary New Grass Revival."
--Tim O'Brien
"John Cowan was one of the first people I met when I first visited Nashville. I've been blown away by his voice for over four decades, and somehow, he keeps getting better."
--Victor L. Wooten
"John Cowan's soul-of-the-earth bass playing and voice made in heaven was not only an integral part of New Grass Revival's one-of-a-kind sound but of the modern-day Doobie Brothers as well. Ditto his own discography. I've certainly appropriated his shining timbre in order to make my records sound better. But most important to me is the ever-evolving man himself. He's my friend. I love him."
--Rodney Crowell
"John's interviews allow us to feel like we're sitting in the same room enjoying the conversation, enjoying back stories and obscure details. This book could be recommended reading for college classes focused on American Popular Music."
--IBMA Foundation
"Man, you're a monster!"
--Jerry Garcia
"There are not many singers who can be referred to as the voice of a musical genre. After joining New Grass Revival in the mid-1970s, John Cowan clearly became the voice of newgrass.In this book, Cowan chose to reveal himself by allowing readers to experience his conversations with musical icons from nearly every genre of American music. To these stellar individuals, he is a trusted friend, a highly respected musician and singer and a fellow influential traveler along life's musical highway. As a result, these conversations are personal, relaxed and reveal much more about the artists on both sides of the conversation than one could expect from a conventional interview or memoir."
--Dan Miller, Bluegrass Unlimited
"What a joy. John Cowan's beautiful, strong, lilting tenor, fine songwriting and playing only helps us appreciate life a little more. Thanks, John, for a peek inside your incredible journey."
--Chris Hillman
