We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gene Bowen and Jack Bookbinder. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with the Road Recovery co-founders below.
Alright, Gene Bowen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Jack Bookbinder: Essentially, Jeff Buckley’s former manager (me) and a tour manager (Gene) came together using both our personal and professional experiences to rally our industry, creating opportunities for youth experiencing adversity. We brought together like-minded people from the entertainment world who wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people. Although we didn’t meet there, we both went through NYU’s Music Business Program.
Can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
Gene Bowen: Road Recovery is an NY-based music nonprofit that was co-founded 28 years ago. We work with many big names in the industry, like Slash, James Hetfield, Fred Schneider, Darryl McDaniels, and more.
Jack: There’s a real-time resurgence happening surrounding Jeff Buckley with the release of the documentary ‘It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley’ and his song “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” landing on the Billboard Hot 100 almost 30 years after its commercial release. A new generation is discovering Jeff’s music while longtime fans are revisiting his work with fresh eyes. As Jeff’s tour manager on the road for the Grace Tour, Jeff’s bandmate Michael Tighe and I will offer our perspective beyond the mythology: what he was actually like, what drove him, why his influence continues to resurface decades later, and how his inspiration and support helped spark the launch of my music industry-driven charity Road Recovery. As Jeff would say – Play It Loud!”
Gene: Road Recovery strives to empower young people to identify, express and amplify their voices in hopes of affecting positive change in themselves and their community. Our goal is to help young people develop healthy coping skills, communication skills, and life skills.
Tell us about a time when you had to pivot in your business model
Jack: When the pandemic hit, we were facing closure. We applied for federal grant funding and won two major grants. That allowed us to scale up programming across the entire state in partnership with the Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) and the Department of Justice, reaching thousands of young people.
Gene: Yea, because everything shut down, we had to pivot. We’re a solution-based organization, so together with our creative staff from the entertainment industry, we figured out how to reach young people who were isolated—cut off from schools, friends, and support systems. By leaning heavily into virtual technology, we were able to continue our programs in the wake of a societal shutdown.
What sets Road Recovery apart from other nonprofits?
Gene: The level of mentorship. It’s built on attraction—young people are drawn to the entertainment industry. We provide access to people who’ve walked similar roads, which becomes a gateway to greater resources through our partnerships. That can mean food, mental health services, or other critical support. It truly helps change lives.
Jack: And the authentic, all-access experiences. Because of our genuine connection to the music industry, we’re able to provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that are unique to Road Recovery.
What skills from the music industry carried over into running a nonprofit?
Jack: The life skills we developed in the music industry are completely transferable to the non-profit sector, especially when it comes to communication and collaboration.
Gene Bowen: Yeah, and meeting people where they’re at. Being flexible and adaptable. Communication skills, coping skills, life skills—they’re all part of our mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://roadrecovery.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/road_recovery/
- Coffee: https://roadrecovery.org/coffee
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/road-recovery-foundation/
- Twitter: https://x.com/roadrecovery
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/roadrecovery
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5xRWagPLAUWaxMkM2TscHT
