Born and raised in St. John's, Howse discovered the blues at a very early age thanks to exposure to a family friend's record collection. In 1976 Howse performed in a self promoted concert at the Arts & Culture Centre's Basement theatre. By 1979 Howse was playing professionally in bars concerts and private events. In the intervening years he has played with local blues stalwarts, internationally known blues figures, popular country, bluegrass & pop singers. Garnering a JUNO award, an ECMA and the Canadian senate's Sesquicentennial Medal for Cultural Contributions along the way, Howse is again a resident of St. John's, recording and performing on a limited basis.