Alan Ames on resophonic guitars, fretless bass, pedal steel guitar, and vocals.
Influences
Nature and dreams are prime inspiration.
These musicans have particularly touched me:
Gershwin, Brubeck, Hendrix, Bernstein, Ravel, John Mayall, Peter Green, The Beatles, Tom Waitts, Leo Kottke, Jerry Douglas, Russ Barenburg, Mike Auldridge, Hank Williams, Frank Zappa, Mozart, Beethoven, and more
Sounds Like
Erik Satie, Dave Brubeck and Leonard Bernstein mixed with Leo Kottke, Jerry Douglas, and Bill Frisell. Impressionism + jazz fusion + funky blues + bluegrass
I was born and raised in Texas, but lived most of my life in Arkansas. I moved out west in 1993: Boise and Portland, Oregon
I dedicated my life to music when I was 15, played guitar in high school, played cello, flute, clarinets, saxes, and recorders in college. But quit all those and took up lap steel guitar when I moved to Arkansas in 72. It used to be called a dobro, or slide guitar, but nowadays guitarist play with a bottleneck and call themselves slide guitarist, but that is not what I do. I do not play guitar; I do not touch frets.
So i have played acoustic 6-string lap steel guitars since 1972. I began pedal steel guitar in 1996. I write primarily instrumental music in a style called Trip-grass Blues-fusion. My music is drenched in the blues, but I love bluegrass, jazz, rock, classical, and folk music. I try to compose for solo instruments, but many of my pieces call for trios, quartets, so I have started writing out more parts.
My first CD was released in 2000, and documented my journey on lap steels since '72.
My next CD should be released in sometime in the next 6 months.
Long time no see! I'm in Medford, OR. and I'll be heading to Portland soon. I thought I'd see what you were up to and see if you had anything coming up while I'm there. I'm looking forward to hanging out with old friends and playing while I'm there too! Hope to see you around while I'm there.
Just stopping by to say hi and do some self promotion. The Reverb Brothers EP release party is this Saturday, April 12th at The Green Dragon (928 SE 9th)at 8:00 pm. "For The Festival" is an 8 song Ep that will sell for five bucks cheap. We will also have our new Reverb Brothers T-Shirt available. No Cover Charge.
I had a real good time playing with you and Randy at the Mock Crest. That's a fun little place. You're a talented player and if I were in Portland permanently, I'd definitely pursue steady work with you as the guitarist. You've got great tone and I just liked your playing! You just don't see many dobro players these days, especially in the blues genre, which is so nice to have with blues and everything else that stems from the root! Anyway, hope you had a nice Christmas and here's to a musical and great 2008! Hope our paths cross again.
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Hi Alan - Thanks for the add. Nice to see you again @ the White Eagle. Let me know when you need an accordion player to step in sometime! Best wishes - April (Misty Mamas)
HELP PUT THE STANLEY BROTHERS IN THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME!
Ralph Stanley has received many well-deserved honors in the last few years, yet one honor eludes him. While many of their fellow musicians and singers have been recognized by The Country Music Hall of Fame, THE STANLEY BROTHERS have been sadly -- some say criminally -- overlooked.
Jeanie Stanley, youngest daugher of Carter, and fan Kaye Hill have organized an on-going petition to change all that.
"The Country Music Hall of Fame recognizes those persons who have made a significant contribution to the country music field," says Hill. "The Stanley Brothers helped lay the foundation for what we have today. Their names deserve to be listed among greats like Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs, who have already be recognized."
You can join their efforts in one of the following ways:
Contact the CMHoF directly:
Mr. Kyle Young, President
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
222 Fifth Avenue South
Nashville TN 37203
Or, if you prefer, you can send a letter to Kaye Hill, who will forward them to the HoF.
D. Kaye Hill
PO Box 2553
Harrisonsonburg VA 22801
Kay says, "a simple one-line note is all that would be required, but please remember to supply your name and address, and an email address if applicable. I will be collecting all letters and forwarding them to the Country Music Hall of Fame."
WASSUP! GREAT WEEKEND PARTY BY THE WAY!! YOU SERIOUSLY KNOW HOW TO KICK IT!! GLAD I CAME! SINCE I LOST THAT BET TO YOU, HERE'S A PICTURE OF THE MACYS CARD I GOT IN THE MAIL FOR FREE FROM THE SITE I SHOWED YOU ON YOUR COMPUTER! KICK ASS HUH!!! JUST CLICK THE PIC AND YOU'LL BE SECRETLY TAKEN TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GET AS MANY AS YOU WANT FOR FREE TOO. I'M NOT PLAYING ANY MORE DRINKING GAMES WITH YOU EVER EVER AGAIN, HAHA!
The first single,"Rockwell's Gold," from my upcoming CD, "Old Photograph," on Rural Rhythm Records, was released this week!!! Listen to it on my page and call in and request it on your local Americana/Bluegrass stations and radio shows!
