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Alan Dalton Banjo "Official Web Page"

Order - "Old & In The Way Banjo Songbook"

GoldTone's EBM Electric & Orange Blossom 250+ Banjo's - Endorsed by Alan Dalton

Like so many contemporary banjo players, Alan Dalton's musical gifts are a legacy. His childhood memories are vivid, recalling visits to his grandfather's house in Knoxville, Tenn., where he would plunk around on his great-grandfather's old open back banjo while listening to tunes like "Rueben," and "Spanish Fandango”. His grandfather, Papaw John Dalton, saw talent in the youngster and presented Alan with his first banjo in 1976 - a Harmony banjo made of Bakelite. Alan persevered with the crude beginning instrument, picking out Earl Scrugg's version of "Cripple Creek," then "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," without knowing he could use more than one finger of his left hand. Fortunately, someone set Alan on the right path and the banjo became an integral part of his life. One short year after getting the Harmony, Alan bought the instrument he still plays today, a 1937 Gibson TB3 Conversion. In the nearly three decades that have passed, Alan has honed his talent; studying classical guitar and conducting at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., performing seasonly at Dollywood and co-founding several popular bluegrass bands. In December of 2003, Alan teamed with fellow band member Craig Barnthouse to form "Barnthouse & Dalton," a duet that allows Alan to return to his beloved traditional bluegrass and gospel music while concentrating on preserving the traditions he holds dear. In conjunction with “Barnthouse & Dalton”, Alan performs with “The Impediments”, from Jacksonville, Fla, and on occasion as “Alan Dalton Trio”.The members include, Alan Dalton, banjo, Steve Pruett, mandolin, & Bryan Spradlin, bass. He also plays banjo for “The Suwannee Bluegrass Mafia", based out of Jacksonville, Fla. who perform regularly at Magnoliafest and Suwannee Springfest in Live Oak, Fla. He's also shared the stage with a variety of Bluegrass notables, including legendary fiddle player Vassar Clements, whose friendship and advice influenced this project. But the real catalyst was the perpetuation of the banjo's musical legacy. On one hand, Alan had this project in the back of his mind for years, but always believed it had been done. He recognized that Jerry Garcia's banjo work on "Old and In The Way" was unique - a one-of-a-kind performance that was never exactly reproduced again. "Some people say that Garcia's rough and his rhythm is off - but that's what pulls the album off," Alan explains. ""He played from his heart, what he played came right from his head, right then." But as much as Alan respected the artistic brilliance of Garcia, it was two of his young banjo students, Gardiner Platt and Adra Cooper, that finally prompted Alan to sit down and begin the months' long journey of creating tablature for the album's 10 songs. "Gardiner asked if I knew any Garcia stuff on the banjo, and Adra said her parents were Deadheads - that they would love it," Alan recalls. "I couldn't find tab, so I sat down and tabbed a couple out - then just kept going! "The tab, as best as I can, is as Garcia played it," Alan says. "The middle finger on his right hand was missing, so he does some licks that many banjo players wouldn't play." With this tablature book that preserves Jerry Garcia's meaningful licks on "Old and In The Way," Alan passes on the musical gift he was given as a boy. His dedication to this project reinforces the importance of one generation of banjo players teaching newcomers to the banjo - and to Bluegrass music. When not picking or giving instructional lessons on one of many instruments, Alan is an avid fisherman and shrimper. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Orange Park, Fla., and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Denise, Brandi and her husband Andrew and dote over their granddaughter Lily . He performs regularly at Bluegrass venues throughout the Southeast, including Magnoliafest and Suwannee Springfest in Live Oak, Fla. Alan instructed the first “Garcia Style Banjo” workshop at Suwanee Springfest, Live Oak, Florida on March 25th, 2005. Magnolia Music & Events, Inc. www.magmusic.com.

Tim A. Rutherford Savannah Ga.

Rider
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FCi5NOYoXQ

Suwanne Bluegrass Mafia at Bear Creek

Vassar Clements & Friends from Suwannee Springfest, Live Oak, Florida 2002. The Players - Vassar Clements, Carrol Clements, Steve Pruett, Brian Goodpastor, Randy Judy, Landon Walker, Alan Dalton

Alan Dalton Trio, Drew Dixon, Alan Dalton &, Bryan Spradlin performing at VOLCOM's Surf Shop.

Alan Dalton played banjo for The Foundation Academy's production "Cotton Patch Gospel", a musical that retells the story of Jesus as if in modern day, rural Georgia. Based on the book The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John by Clarence Jordan, the music and lyrics to the musical were written by Harry Chapin and were his last work before his death. The stage version was written by Tom Key and Russell Treyz.