Steph's Bio
Stephanie Gow Vocals Songwriter Mom and Dad met at Evangel college in Springfield, MO... they were both "pastor's kids". Dad played basketball and Mom was a cheerleader. She also sang and toured with Evangel's traveling choir, performing nationwide. On an unannounced afternoon in the college gym, when Mom had her hair in rollers and was attempting to play basketball with a friend, Dad approached her and introduced himself. As the saying goes ... the rest is history. A couple of years later they married and began their journey in the world of college basketball, putting Mom's dream of professional singing on the back burner. Little did she know that there would come a day when her talent and dreams would manifest through two of her children! God has an amazing way of holding true to His promises. When I came into this world, my three older brothers had already traveled with Mom and Dad to Michigan, Missouri, and California, all the while chasing Dad's dream. I was born in Garden Grove, CA and spent my first four years in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Mission Viejo. I can remember walks on the beaches behind long, tanned legs, and the smell of the coconut oil. Mom was on television singing on TBN with her local band. I would wave to her as she sang on the other side of the TV tube ... I remember not understanding why I didn't get a response back. So funny! Mom also worked at Disney Land where we spent many of our summer days. Our next move was to Georgetown, TX where I was raised and most of my memories stem from. My first "real" musical experience was at the age of 10 when my parents naively entered me into the Miss Texas Preteen Pageant held in Dallas, TX. Little did they know that I would sing the socks off of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot/Happy Day medley”, and would come home Miss Texas Preteen 2nd runner-up. ( I know, it would sound so much better if I'd have won it!! Oh well... ) That same summer I entered the citywide talent show and received a standing ovation. This was a pivotal time in my life, and my gift of music was nurtured from this point on. Other fond musical memories include singing sweet Christian hymns around Aunt Vangie’s piano with my mom, my aunt, and my girl cousins. ( Finally, some GIRLS in my life!! ). I thought Julie, Angela, and Sherry were the BEST. Because they were older than me and more experienced, I looked up to them so much. Their 3-part harmonies blew me away, which challenged me to work on my ear for harmony. I played piano and alto sax throughout Jr. High, and high school, I was heavily involved in choir and cheerleading, and on the side ... I played gigs with my big brother, Doug, on 6th street in Austin, TX. We toured the state focusing mainly on entertaining at college frat parties. Doug was protective, Mom and Dad trusted us, and I was having the time of my life! What is stunning to me now as I look back, is that I didn't fall into the many temptations that surrounded me, and that continue to surround our youth now. I attribute that to good, Christian up-bringing and God's hand in my life at an early age. I studied music briefly at Southwest Texas State in San Marcus on scholarship, and then moved to Texas A&M-Commerce where Dad was named the new basketball coach. I was frequently asked to sing the National Anthem for many of the TAMU-Commerce events. Like Mom and Dad's story, it was on the gym floor where Brian Gow first saw me. I was introduced as Coach Peak's daughter as I sang for our nation. After one month of dating, we both knew that we were brought together for life. The only problem was ... he played FOOTBALL! It didn't take long for my brothers to accept Brian into the family, and we were married a year later. We finished college together while beginning our family. Trent and Chandler's first years were spent on the football field, the basketball court, and in the Chi Omega house. It was at this time in our lives when we both took our relationships with Christ seriously. The circumstances of being young parents who were newly married and tyring hard to complete school brought us to our knees ... literally. We were not in control and we knew it! Our Baptist church was our " saving place ". It's where I began leading a children's choir and worked in the nursery. It was during this time in my life when I began listening exclusively to Christian music. I completed my first Bible Study called " Experiencing God ". My first scripture to memorize was John 15:5; "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from Me you can do nothing. " To remain in God's will was, and still is, all that matters to me. I am thankful for the difficulties Brian and I went through because they drew us into a relationship with God ... for life! Brian began his career as a Texas football coach and our family moved to Ft. Worth, Irving, and then Mansfield. He coached ... I taught school. About this time we also welcomed our third child, Joley. During these years, I had many experiences in a variety of entertainment venues. I was a featured singer at the Grapevine Opry, I performed at festivals and city-wide talent shows and weddings, I was the lead role as Laurie in “ Oklahoma ”, I acted in the blockbuster movie called “ Any Given Sunday ”, I led women’s retreats in Austin/Dallas area churches with 4Given, I was a featured soloist at Bass Hall’s “ Field of Dreams ” show... it's a long list. My involvement in church ministry grew richer as we served in Irving Bible Church, and currently serve at First United Church in Mansfield. Four years ago, I began singing with our church's vocal team in the contemporary service. A telephone call to my big brother, who was a basketball coach at TAMU-Commerce, led to he and his wife moving to Mansfield in only one month's time. Doug was in a place of " waiting on God " and " looking for God's will " for his life. He heard God's call and was obedient. ( So key in a relationship with Christ!! ) Shortly after moving to Mansfield, Doug was asked to lead worship at FUMC, where we both met Karen. We invited her to sing with us, both never having heard her sing. I remember telling Doug that I could tell just by the way she talked that she had a beautiful voice. And let me make this very clear... she does! It's amazing! Over the course of the next three years, and leading several different services and outreach events together, we met and developed a brother-hood with Ken, Kevin, Ron, Larry, James, and Pastor Shawn. It was the winter of 2006 when Doug, Karen, Kevin, and I felt a calling to take Doug's original music to the world. In this process, our band was pieced together, and we now call ourselves Magnolia Rose Band. Currently, I am the Director of Contemporary Worship Arts and worship leader for Sunday morning service. Doug is the Saturday night worship leader. Karen is a featured vocalist for all services and serves on our vocal team. Ron is our Praise Band Director, and our band members are plugged into many different services. I believe my best quality in music is that I can completely feel the message of a song by allowing myself to be vulnerable and by allowing God to minister through me. When I sing, my desire is for our audience to feel this message too. People say that I add a delicate, sweet layer to a strong message. I have been greatly influenced by my great Uncle Tedd who was the piano player for Billy Graham throughout his many years in ministry around the globe. He was also a producer for large events with a collection of big name Christian artists such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, etc... He was the one I called to get advice about Magnolia Rose Band and his words of wisdom still ring through my ears, “You have a marketable sound that is still your own; Don’t quit!” Also, my uncle Ross, a man whom I never met, has influenced me. He was my mom’s big brother and was in the midst of signing with Sony when he was killed in a car wreck at the age of 23. Ross Smith brought many people to Christ with his life’s testimony. I look forward to meeting him one day. And of course there is my mom. Mom taught me about pitch, voice control, harmony, singing and playing by ear, and the necessity of feeling the message of the song deep inside. She used to encourage me to sing with a candle or hair brush in my hand, while she played the piano and harmonized with me. Mom was a model and taught at a modeling school, so she was very concerned about my stage presence and poise. I am so grateful for the many wonderful one-on-one lessons I received from the biggest influence in my life, my mom. I have a heart and a genuine love for people. We are all amazing creatures. We have been given free will. I know how much it meant to me to have my parents' trust. I also knew that I couldn't betray it if I wanted to keep it. I believe that is the same fundamental relationship we have with God ... only His grace gives us freedom to start over each and every day. I love Him for that and I understand that I must do the same. In this short life we are to go out and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Having been given the gift of singing, I know this is my mission. And I believe MRB shares the very same purpose. We have heard God's call, and we are in an act of obedience. There is peace found in our mission and we look forward to where God takes us.
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