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Munde, Alan

WR

ALAN MUNDE

  • From Norman, Oklahoma. Has lived in Nashville, Los Angeles, Levelland and Wimberly Texas, Oklahoma City.
  • 1969, began playing banjo professionally at age 22 with 16-year-old Sam Bush in a band called Poor Richard’s Almanac.
  • 1970, joined Jimmy Martin and The Sunny Mountain Boys.
  • 1972, moved to Los Angeles and with Byron Berline, Roger Bush and Kenny Wertz, formed The Country Gazette, a band that he would lead in one form or another for the next 30 years. During this time he also performed with The Flying Burrito Brothers.
  • 1976, released first solo album Banjo Sandwich (Ridge Runner).
  • 1980, released “The Banjo Kid Picks Again” album (Ridge Runner).
  • 1980-1985, released several Festival Favorites albums (Ridge Runner).
  • 1986-2007, taught bluegrass music at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. He has also written and recorded dozens of banjo instruction books, recordings and videos.
  • 1994, formed a duo with former Country Gazette member Joe Carr (guitar, mandolin) performing what they called “Border Bluegrass,” a mix of bluegrass with Tex-Mex influences. They released several albums for Flying Fish Records.
  • 1994, released Blue Ridge Express album (Rounder).
  • 2004, formed The Alan Munde Gazette and released a self-titled album (no label).
  • 2006, was elected to the board of the IBMA.
  • 2007, released “Old Bones” album (Munde’s Child) featuring earlier recordings never-before released.
  • 2008, received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA (with Joe Carr).
  • 2009, performed and recorded with an Austin-based band The Two High String Band.
  • 2014, released an album of duets with mandolinist Billy Bright called “Bright Munde” (Munde’s Child).
  • 2018, released “Es Mi Suerte” album (Munde’s Child) with mandolinist Billy Bright.
  • 2021, was awarded the Steve Martin Banjo Prize.
  • 2023, released Excelsior album (Patuxent).