Members of the Alan Munde Gazette: Alan Munde-Banjo, Bill Honker-Bass/Vocal, Nate Lee-Fiddle/Vocal, Steve Smith-Mandolin/Vocal, Elliot Rogers-Guitar/Vocal.
Influences
Joe Carr, Brent Wheeler, Stephane Grappelli, Enion Pelta-Tiller, Florin Niculescu, Casey Driessen, Terry Morris, Sam Bush, Valerie O'Brien, Alan Munde, Steve Smith, Gerald Jones, Randy Howard, Darrol Anger, Rich O'Brien, New Grass Revival, Jean-Luc Ponty.
Sounds Like
It's like an ocean cruise only there's no boat and you're not really going anywhere...
The fact is… NATE LEE, the musician, has been drawing attention ever since he hit his first double digits. His cheerful commitment to refining his game has been a hot topic in the press as well as among his listeners, instructors and fellow musicians.
To quote bluegrass icon ALAN MUNDE, "He is one of the very best students—the most talented instrumentalist, equally adept at both fiddle and mandolin—I’ve had in my tenure." Banjo master and scholar WAYNE SHRUBSALL, playing with NATE in HARD ROAD states, "That boy is playing in the league of some of the best fiddle players I have worked with...and I have worked with Byron Berline, Kenny Baker, Dale Morris and Jim Chancellor, among others."
NATE’S early fiddle and mandolin style were shaped under the tutelage of VALERIE RYALS O’BRIEN of Burleson, Texas and STEVE SMITH of Las Cruces, New Mexico. As a child, Nate appeared onstage with his teacher Valerie and in local country bands. By the age of 14, Nate had become an experienced teacher and competitor in fiddle contests. Even in his early days, his forte emerged in performance with other musicians where his ability to listen and blend coupled with his amazing chops made him a player in high demand.
NATE became a professional early, performing with the MARK GORMAN BAND (country) and at venues including Six Flags Over Texas with THE CRUCIGERS (folk/grass). He currently tours with THE ALAN MUNDE GAZETTE (bluegrass). NATE has shared the stage with Joe Carr, Jim "Texas Shorty" Chancellor, Roland White, Chris Jones, Ned Luberecki, Rich O’Brien, Robert Bowlin, Slim Richey, Adam Granger, Brad Davis, Richie McDonald, Dale Morris Sr., Tim May, Bill Evans, Tommy Allsup, Mike Siler and Ted Scanlon to name a few.
NATE is making his mark as a gifted teacher in his private studio and at workshops including Camp Bluegrass and Gerald Jones’ Acoustic Music Camp. He "works well with others" both young and old, relying on keen musical intuition to challenge and encourage his students.
Having completed two music-intensive years at South Plains College, Nate has returned to Levelland, Texas to finish his Commercial Music Degree. Current recordings include Alan Munde Gazette, Made To Last (2008) and Steve Smith and Hard Road, Only So Fast (2008).
i'd heard you moved back to tejas. i guess it's true, since you say you're in levelland, now. but you really really need to move to austin so that you can fully realize yer potential. of course, you COULD visit Atx before school starts, too, so your friends will know you haven't forgotten them... kisses.
