Don
Alder Bio
EPK on Reverbnation here
Don Alder App for Android here
Sonicbid EPK here
Don
Alder plays acoustic fingerstyle guitar with a passion that
has quickly earned him a reputation as Vancouver's "best
kept little secret". Don is a world-class fingerstyle
guitarist with a "wow factor" that has let to
multiple endorsement deals with major manufacturers and
a collaboration with Greenfield guitars to produce a signature
acoustic guitar- the "Don
Alder G4" model.
Don
currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His unique style of playing incorporates fingerpicking with
simultaneous percussion on the soundboard to create a wall
of sound. He is often referred to as sounding like a four
piece band. Don's music is his own unique weave of deeply
textured melody and story. Lyrical and compelling, his original
songs are notes of exploration - some passionate and haunting,
some hard-driven, others light and teasing. In quiet pieces
or pushing right to the edge, Don's phenomenal fingerstyle
playing and rich voice captivate.
“We
are extremely proud to have Don as a National Endorsee.
Don chose our handbuilt L-Series flat tops as his weapon
of choice. We recognize that Don is at the forefront of
the ‘new fingerstyle’ movement and look forward
to a long relationship with this mind blowing guitarist”.
Chris Seldon, Marketing Manager, Yamaha Guitars Canada
"Alder
can make a single instrument sound like a 4 piece band.
The Guy's like the acoustic Hendrix". Picque News
Magazine
"Don
is Canada’s secret fingerstyle weapon…it’s
only a matter of time until everyone discovers this world
class player. I am honored to have Don endorsing my guitars."
World Class Luthier, Michael Greenfield
"Don is an amazing guitarist, a one man mosh-pit.
If your within 100 miles of a performance, go see this guy".
Master Luthier, Matt Mustapick
"Congratulations. What a great achievement Don, you
are at the top of your game and deserve every success!"
Nick
Campling, G7th capo inventor.
In 1985,
he put his music career on hold to assist his lifelong friend,
Rick Hansen, with his quest to create awareness for the
potential of people with disabilities and to generate funds
for spinal cord research. The World Tour (www.RickHansen.com),
inspired millions of people throughout the 34 countries
visited and raised 26 million dollars. Today, Don still
works with Rick in a vital role at the Rick Hansen Man in
Motion Foundation, which has had an impact of over 200 million
dollars in the field of spinal cord injury. Don says he
got involved with the Foundation to “help make a difference”
in improving the quality of life of others and now continues
to do so with his music.
In the
early 90's, Don was mostly playing guitar as a hobby and
was heavily involved in Wheelchair Sports. The World Tour
developed Don's wheelchair tech skills which he continued
to hone post Tour. This evolved to the point where Don was
chosen to represent Canada as the Equipment Manager/ Wheelchair
Tech for the Canadian Paralympic Team in Atlanta in 1996
and Sydney Australia, 2000. During that time Don met Sam
Sullivan and Dave Symington, both quadriplegics from accidents.
Sam and Dave both musicians, founded the Vancouver Adapted
Music Society. Don became the guitarist for the society's,
performance band "Spinal Chord". They released
a CD title "Why Be Normal" which received national
airplay. They also released the video "Mary."
see it HERE
He continues
to play to Canadian, American, European, and Asian audiences,
sharing stages with Grand Master Acousticians such as Andy Mckee, Peter
Finger, Jacques Stotzem, Bob Evans, Masa
Sumide, John Parr (st elmos fire), Ellen McElwaine, Cassius
Khan. He
has also performed at festivals as a headliner which included
artists such as Don Ross, Pierre Bensusan, Del Vazeau, Ric
Emmet, Dave Martone. A;ex De Grassi, Lawrence Juber, Andy Timmons, John Jorgenson, Lee Ritenour, Billy Sheehan, Sarah McLauglin, David Foster and many more. Don's Character is also portrayed in the movie "Heart of A Dragon" heartofadragonmovie.com by UK actor Andrew Lee Potts.
Competitions:
1rst - 2011 Gutiar Idol Worldwide - held in London UK
1rst - 2010 Guitar Player Magazine, Gutiar Superstar Contest - North America
1rst - 2007 Inernational Fingerstyle Championships Winfield,
Kansas
2nd - 2006 International Fingerstyle Championships Winfield,
Kansas
1st – 2004, 2005, 2006 Winfield Song Showcase“Best
Instrumental” Category
1st – 2005 Best 30-second Guitar Solo Contest - Acidplanet.com
Finalist - International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA)
3rd – 2005 Vancouver BC Star Discovery
1st – 2004 Vancouver Folk Slam
1st – 2004 Winfield Intl. Fingerstyle Championships
“Best Instrumental” Category
1st – 2004 Vancouver Guitar Show “Shred Contest”
using just an acoustic guitar
3rd – 2004 Vancouver BC Star Discovery
4th – 2004 Openstrings International Fingerstyle Competition,
Germany