Alan Munde

Alan Munde born November 4, 1946 in Norman, Oklahoma is a well-known five-string banjo player and bluegrass musician. From Norman, Oklahoma. Lives in Wimberley, Texas (near Austin). 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.