LeRoy Bowman is a native of Valparaiso, Indiana, where his roots go back over one hundred and fifty years. His many interests include music, history, and outdoor sports. Lee started playing the piano when he was seven years old. His first piano was an old upright given to him by his Aunt Jeanette. Later his parents bought him a new Wurlitzer. Lee almost beat the hammers flat on the new piano playing rock and roll and boogies four to six hours a day. "I don't know how my mother put up with it. She was always very positive and there when I needed a friend and encouragement. I guess she must have really enjoyed the music because she never complained about it".

At the age of fifteen, Lee finished his formal music training. He spent most of that year jamming with his music teacher Harry Bucci. A normal half hour lesson turned into an hour and a half of impromptu jamming with Harry on his old battered cornet and Lee on the piano. "I never forgot those last lessons. Harry was an outstanding musician, but more than that, he was a true comic. He would alternate between his cornet and stub of a cigar during our sessions even though he had placed a large sign above the piano which read Absolutely No Smoking".

Lee is strong on family. Madelyne, his wife and best friend, is his sounding board. They do everything together. He will finish a song and ask for her input. Lee says that she is a great fan of music and he relies heavily on her remarks. He gives her credit for his inspirations and his continuing love of music. "She is always supportive of everything I try and is my biggest fan. It's easy to work hard when someone believes you can do it".

Lee currently is a co-founder of Ma Bowman Music (www.mabowmanmusic.com). A music company that produces his original songs, played by him, on his rockin' rollin' smokin' piano. These songs are a combination of Country, Ragtime, Blues, Boogies, and up beat Ballads, designed to start your toes a tappin' and your fingers a snappin'. The whole concept of the music is "to have fun". If you can listen to Lee's rockin' country ragtime piano music and not want to join in the fun, well, better check your pulse, you're in trouble. Lee's music is featured on Ma Bowman Music at (www.mabowmanmusic.com.) The first three CDs presented on this web site are under the "Down Home" title.

Lee can be reached at the Ma Bowman Web site address (mabowmanmusic.com).