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Award Certificates
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Biography
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Early Days...
Born in Tennessee, Alan grew up in various locations, such as Fort Worth, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, New Albany, Indiana, and mainly Nashville, Tennessee. The first born of two musically gifted parents, with Mom being an award winning and highly advanced fine art hand engraver, he learned at a young age how to edit his work, and use simplicity and minimalism in his work. His mother's influence on his level of taste has much to do with the artist he is today.
As a child, Alan presented the traits of a prodigy on the piano, and by age 10, was hired as a professional piano player for an adult gospel group, The Liberty Sounds. After about 2 years with this group, the group disbanded, and two of the adult vocalists started another group going by the name of The Singing Evangels. Between these two groups, Alan gained much experience in the recording studio, and in the case of The Singing Evangels, was allowed to overdub on the record using the Melotron, a machine invented by the Beatles to imitate the sound of violins, cellos, flutes, and violas. An unwieldy machine, he had to learn to use patience with it, as it was slow to respond to touch, and had to anticipate the sound before it would be heard. He arranged the full orchestration of the album, and it was received highly amongst church goers and musicians alike.
After touring for four years, Alan and his Mom moved back to Nashville, from whence they came originally, to start life over again when things at home became overwhelming. This move put Alan in the forefront of a new career in music, with his 2nd cousin, the famous gospel music writer Imogene Kinkaid, and her daughter, Cindy. The three formed a trio of vocalists, with Alan learning the flute, and accompanying the group on tours throughout the south. Simultaneously, Alan was chosen by leaders at his high school to be a solo vocalist in the Jazz Rock group, as well as one of sixteen vocalists in the classical Madrigal group, which sang only ancient songs, and almost all in foreign languages such as Latin, Italian, French. Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swahili, Russian, Latvian, and old English.
Alan studied with the quite decorated Miriam MIller in German Language Studies, and she also tutored him in Egyptian Hieroglyphics, as well as Russian, and Latin. Alan also studied Spanish at Broward College.
During his time at junior high school, Alan continued to pursue his art. He was chosen at age 12 to be the editor of his high school yearbook, as well as photographer, lay-out artist, as well as cover artist. This art experience propelled him to be selected in senior high school as artist for many other projects, such as illustrator for theatre shows, art shows, and more. He was awarded Best on Show numerous times in art contests during his high school career, and by graduation, he had quite the CV already built. His dual role as artist and performer gave him experience, such as being a back up vocalist on the TV show "Fifty Years at the Grand Ole Opry," at the Grand Ole Opry House at Orpryland USA. He was also an extra on the film "Nasville." Later he was chosen by CBS broadcasting to be a featured "boy"actor on the TV series "Nashville, 99." He has worked for Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, Reba McIntyre, Johnny Cash, Mel Tillis, Kittie Wells, and other country stars. he painted a butterfly denim jacket for Dolly Parton. He did a stage set for Reba. He designed a floral luncheon for Emy Lou. He sang back up for Johnny, and then gave him coins to but a soda. Mel Tillis came by Johnny's studio while we were recording my Junior album.
Alan was chosen as first chair baritone for The Tennessee All State Chorus in Memphis in 1977. The McGavock Jazz Band was awarded the NCEA Best Jazz Group in the city, 1975. The Madrigals were invited to sing for The US Congress in 1976. Graduated in Top 10% of my class, 1977. Got hired as a vocalist at the Wedgewood Inn, St Pete, Fl., 1978. Painted a lot! Worked as Art Director at The Warehouse 28's Theme Party Company, called "Balloons, Hi!" working under the new division called "Effects, Inc.," 1985. Was awarded a new workshop by Balloon's, Hi!, right next door to the Chute, Nashville, bringing a lot of attention to our projects, 1985. Won first place in a contest to paint the walls around the dance floor in The Warehouse 28, was awarded an Honorary Mention at The W28's Art Contest 1985. Took first place at W28's Art Contest, 1986. Won best Halloween Costume 1988, took the city wide First PLace in tThe Winter Lights, Festival, downtown Nashville, 1988. Warehouse 28, Nashville. Best in Show, 1989 Warehouse 28's annual Artists Contest.
Acted as Art Director at Guide Magazine in Atlanta, GA., 1990 to 1992. Won First Place at the Burkhart's Bar Art Show, 1991 Ainsley Square, Atlanta. Worked for "An Affair To Remember," Atlanta. Founded Atlantis Creative Group, Atlanta. Designed for clients such as Peachtree Plaza Hotel, The Fox Theatre, The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, The High Museum, and many others. Loaded and drove the big 38" trucks for installations. Kept inventory, tool check out, security, lock up, and more. Usually possessed the keys to all machines. Repaired and maintained all tools, physical site, and hand tools. Art Director at Neighborhood Connections, Jacksonville, FL., 1994, and upgraded all publications in style and substance, as well as acted as photographer, author, and publisher at NC. Founded Vision Blogspot, 1998, on AOL.com, Jacksonville, FL. Appointed board member of Lyng and Neal Engraving, Inc., Nashville, 1999.
He moved to Ft Lauderdale, FL., October, 2000. Delivered for a Lagal Copy Service, 2000 to 2005. Started school at Broward College, Davie, FL., Jan., 2002, Worked as Sculpture Studio Monitor, for Cathy Lieseck, Professor, at Broward College from 2004 through May 2009. Worked as Gallery Assistant, August 2007 through Jan 2009. Alan moved to Bradenton in 2009 to attend Ringling College of Art and Design, mostly on scholarships and grants. Skipped the first year of art basics at RCAD, Received a BFA in Fine Art, 2012. Hired as artist and Chief Marketing Officer by The Epoch Contemporary Art Project, Bradenton, Oct. 2012 til present. Joined the Board of Directors at Silver Palm Publishing, of Sarasota, FL., Feb. 2013. Hired as Studio Assistant/Giclee Enhancer by Justyn Farano, of Tampa, FL., a sports artist.
Have shown at local galleries, such as the Farrelly Gallery, 1330 SW 3rd Ave, Bradenton, Florida, in April 2013, June 2013, and New Years Eve, 2014. He has also shown at Graphi-Ko Gallery, September 2013, on Central Avenue, St Pete, FL.. Selected Pieces of his work are presently still on display at the Downtown Public Library, Bradenton, FL., from February 2014 to present, Oct. 2014.
