In February, 1992, Gene Bowen was faced with the reality of imminent death from an out-of-control habit. For ten years, he had been a tour manager for a variety of artists. Since 1982, Gene’s daily routine included obtaining drugs not only for himself, but for many of the international artists and road crews with whom he worked and toured. Ironically, he was also responsible for helping particular artists stay "clean."
With the help of family, friends and music industry colleagues, Gene was one of the lucky ones who embraced recovery. Understanding how lucky he was to survive, Gene set out to build an organization to educate youth and musicians about addiction. He looked to publicize the many strengths and resources available from the music industry and the mental/health drug and alcohol treatment communities.
His mantra was not that drugs are bad, but that recovery is awesome.
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With the support of Sony Music Entertainment and Dreamworks Records, as well as mental health/substance abuse specialists, music industry pros and those in recovery, the
ROAD RECOVERY FOUNDATION, a non-profit (501c) organization, was established in February 1998.
We’re a non-profit organization comprised of music industry professionals
whose lives have been touched by drug and alcohol addiction.
Through education, live performance and action programs,
our primary goal is to communicate a strong message to young adults about the benefits
— and the freedom and fun — of a substance-free life.
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"When I first got sober I kind of thought my music career was over! I got some literature on Road Recovery and said 'My God there are people that are actually aspiring to create different forms of art without substance abuse.' I create music and I perform music, a direct support of that is Road Recovery."
- Sandy, Singer, Songwriter
"Road Recovery seems to trade sadness and disparity for focus and creativity. The life stories of these courageous people are testimonies of their strength and maturity. Watching them carry each other with kindness, sensitivity and regard was moving, but seeing them work together, writing music and allocating their passions to something communal, was inspiring. Music has never seemed so therapeutic as it does with these kids through Road Recovery."
- Fabrizio Moretti, Drummer, The Strokes
"Let's hear it for Road Recovery! It's a tough and dirty job they do, and if they didn't do it, maybe not too many other people would. It's a crucial job, but not everybody realizes it needs doing. Road Recovery carries the promise of deliverance from those who can speak of substance abuse from those who can speak of it from first-hand experience to those who might never hear of it without their peers to relate to. It has been more than a privilege and pleasure, it has been a blessing to have participated with Road Recovery's work. I eagerly anticipate having more to do with them, and with the kind of work they do."
- Peter Tork, Musician, Artist, Shoe Suede Blues, The Monkees
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