During this period, Cowsill assisted other Calgary-based artists. In 2000, he produced and arranged the vocals for "Sun Sittin"', the debut album of Calgary hard rock band Optimal Impact. Cowsill also coined the term "Surf Metal" in relation to the album's title track. In 2002, Cowsill co-produced "Dyin' to Go", the debut album from Calgary country and blues singer, Ralph Boyd Johnson. Cowsill also appeared as a guest vocalist on various recordings, such as on recordings by roots rock group The Shackshakers and on Gary Pig Gold's 2002 Gene Pitney tribute "He's A Rebel (The Gene Pitney Story Retold)".