The meteoric rise of 18-year-old guitar prodigy Grace Bowers continued with a new cover of Led Zeppelin classic “Going to California”. The standalone track follows Bowers’ acclaimed debut Wine on Venus from August and features an all-female, all-star cast of Nashville musicians including mandolinist Sierra Hull.
It doesn’t get more classic than this Led Zeppelin IV cut, and Bowers finds room for originality in the iconic song by injecting a tastefully low electric guitar rumble. Country singer Caroline Jones‘ nubile falsetto shifts to an ominous warning in the transition to minor chords, backed up by British singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas. Dynamic duo SistaStrings provided the string arrangements on violin and cello, with Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne reprising his role as producer from Wine on Venus.
“This Led Zeppelin song has always had a special place in my heart,” Bowers said in a statement. “After performing it live with these women at my charity show I realized that there was something special to be captured. I hope you enjoy this reimagining of the original song!”
“Going to California” comes just two months after Bowers’ debut which delivers Grace and her backing band The Hodge Podge‘s blend of blues, funk, and soul. The guitarist’s adolescence has already seen her perform at The Grand Ole Opry and on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS Mornings, and NPR‘s All Songs Considered. She recently won Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2024 Americana Honors & Awards and was named a U.S. Global Music Ambassador by the U.S. Department of State and has opened for The Red Clay Strays, Gary Clark Jr., and The Allman Betts Family Revival, sharing the stage with Dolly Parton, Tyler Childers, Slash, Daniel Donato, and more. Bowers will further bolster her resume in January when she travels to Mexico for the Dead Ahead Festival where she will perform with the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Sturgill Simpson, Brandi Carlile, Brittney Spencer, and others.
Along with the single, Bowers has announced a show at the Troubadour in L.A. on January 30th, as well as a December 12th show in Beaver Creek, CO. She has festival appearances, headlining shows, and a run of concerts with The Allman Betts Family Revival scheduled through the end of the year. Find tickets and tour dates on her website.
Grace Bowers — “Going To California” (Led Zeppelin)