ALANWHITNEY

	Veteran Singer Songwriter, Alan Whitney's songs have been recorded by major label artists, and featured in films, radio and television. He has toured and performed as a singer songwriter in well known Folk and Americana concert series venues, clubs, house concerts, festivals and radio shows across the US and Europe. His recordings and performances have been met with praise by both press and fans all over the world. Alan is also an award winning record producer who now works and makes his home in Buffalo NY. With his trusty acoustic guitar, Whitney's live concerts are a special event. He knows how to guide his audiences on a playful interactive experience, encouraging spontaneity, singing along, laughing, joking, dancing, and becoming part of the show. Time and time again, Alan Whitney has proven himself as a uniquely inspiring artist as he continues to win fans as a gifted songwriter, an engaging storyteller, a world-class musician, a classic vocalist and an electrifying master live performer.
	Whitney's music deifies labels and categorization. He blends his own sharp sense of song with Americana roots sounds from Blues to Country and Rock while reaching far beyond its borders. Alan's songs tell stories that are tender, funny, exuberant, sexy, spiritual and sometimes strange. Keeping his sound simple, rhythmic and organic to frame his soulful, elegant voice. "I feel very lucky to have this unique connection with my fans. It's gotten to the point where a lot of them know the words to my songs better than I do. At some of the concerts I play, some of them show up with instruments so they can play and sing along. Something special happens when the line between the audience and me gets blurry. I don't mind at all. They're so into it. The show takes on a totally new dimension. Suddenly it becomes less about me and more about sharing a great experience."
	In 1990, Alan Whitney, in his early twenties, left his hometown of Rochester, NY for California and quickly began to take his place as a new and exciting voice in a burgeoning Los Angeles singer songwriter, acoustic and Americana scene. He developed his early career performing regularly in famous venues, The Troubadour, Genghis Cohen's, and The Palomino and became a featured showcase performer at the National Academy of Songwriters Acoustic Underground, Billy Block's Western Beat, and Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance. As Alan began his entrée into the recording industry as a budding staff songwriter and session musician, the generous LA music community including such luminary figures as Lucinda Williams, Dave Alvin and countless other American music greats enriched his formative years. He toured in Europe with maverick Americana artists Rosie Flores, Jan Browne and Chris Gaffney and even performed a personal, living room command performance for the smiling Motown legend, Smokie Robinson. Alan plunged deep into the American experience, as he worked hard to grow and develop his music.		Young Alan press photo circa 1991
	"I wanted to see the West, and find out what this country was about. Coming from the Northeast, California was a brand new world to me. It's such grand beautiful country. There's a real frontier spirit in people. I lived outdoors, worked on an organic farm, kept bees, picked fruit, learned Spanish from Mexicans, wrote songs and sang them for people. LA is this mystical, wondrous, scary, sprawling city that goes on forever. I was moved by it literally and figuratively. It certainly shaped me as a person and changed the way I view the world." Looking to further his career, Alan spent several years honing his craft as a songwriter. He relocated to Nashville TN continuing to perform and shape his artistry. Alan learned fast, co-writing and recording beside hit making writers, musicians, and producers for such names as Dwight Yokam, Garth Brooks, and Patty Loveless. As Alan became a regular performer at Nashville's finest song venues, The Bluebird Café and Douglas Corner, he also began to find success as a writer with several album cuts and single for Curb recording Artist, Keith Perry ("When I Could Fly"). In spite of the beginnings of his success as a songwriter, fiercely independent Whitney had his own ideas about how his music should be made. Alan set out on his own path. "In my early Nashville days, being different and a little rebellious got me a lot attention. I had the support and respect of a lot of folks in the industry but ultimately Nashville was a tough fit for me. I learned a hell of lot and I wouldn't have missed it for the world, but as an artist, I needed to go my own way. It was an important lesson to realize that I couldn't force myself to become what the industry dictated. I came away with my professional experience plus my independence and the freedom to truly be myself."		On tour in Europe
	The next Chapter of Alan's career found him refocusing on the basics of his creative process in a rapidly changing music business. No longer in the shadow of the major recording industry, Alan stretched his wings into new frontiers to create music that was important to him. In Western N.Y. he launched Because We Can, his own company dedicated to the ideals, craft and business of independent music making. "I started to realize that it was possible to have a career making my own music outside the box of the major recording industry. Like a lot of my singer songwriter peers, I started taking a larger responsibility for my own creative business. It wasn't until I started producing and marketing my own recordings that I was able to tour effectively and make a solid personal connection with my own audience. This was an empowering step." Alan's career expanded as a regularly touring performing artist and fast growing name on the folk and Americana circuit. Whitney's debut CD "The Borderland" was met by high praise by the press and internet news group raves, winning him fans in the US and Europe.
	In addition to making his own recordings, Whitney began to work with other artists as a record producer and project consultant. His independent music production company, Because We Can Production Services has produced award-winning recordings for artists and organizations including: Dee Adams - " Pennsylvania" Compilation Artists For Literacy Project Volume 2 Grand Award- www.siblproject.org and www.deetuned.com Al Power - "A Life Worth Living" CD adopted by the Eden Alternative Organization (Eden Alternative is a activist organization dedicated to the quality of life for seniors and the people who love them) Visit www.alpower.net and www.edenalt.com
	"Recording is an enormously important part of my work. Producing records for other artists and myself has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I plan to be making records and sharing the recording process for a long time." Out of his experience, Whitney began to share his knowledge and craft. He has taught and presented workshops for organizations, folk festivals and students on the craft of songwriting, the creative process, performing, recording and the business of music. Alan is also an experienced instructor of voice, guitar and music history and fundamentals. (Learn Guitar & Voice with Alan) In 2003, after years of keeping up a hectic touring schedule and the demanding nature of the music business, Alan decided it was time to make a life change.
	Today, Alan has embarked upon a new career as a student at Buffalo State College. He is studying to become an elementary school teacher. Along with his studies, he continues to write songs, produce, record, teach, and perform regionally around his new hometown of Buffalo NY. "I needed to settle down a bit for my sanity. Life is full of surprises. I'm happy about attending Buff State and becoming a schoolteacher. It's good to be approaching life in a whole new way. I know I still have a lot of music to make. I plan to keep recording, writing, teaching, and performing when I can. It might be nice to do some occasional touring as time and opportunity permits, but I'm pretty happy with staying close to home. My fans will just have to come and visit me in Western NY and Buffalo. Hey, why not?"
	Some of Alan Whitney's Credits Discography: The Borderland- BWC 2000 Juke- BWC 2004 "Rolling Away" - "Matthew Lee Songbook" Writing Credits: When I Could Fly - Keith Perry (Curb Records) Single and CMT Video Weakness - Claudia Russell CD "Song Food" WUMB Boston new artist of the year 2001 Smokin' and Drinkin' - Bum Steers CD "Out Standing In Their Own Field" Johnny's Outta' Jail - Bum Steers CD "Live From Ventura" Film Song Credits: Love's A Rodeo - In "Painted Hero" (Dwight Yokham) Smokin and Drinkin'- In "29 Palms" (Chris O'Donald,) Advisor (Confidant and kibitzer) "Crossroads of The Ordinary: Contemporary Singer/songwriters and the Post-Revival Folk" Dissertation By Dr. Tom Gruning http;//tomgruning.com Notable Venues Performed: Gengis Cohen's Los Angeles, CA Troubadour LosAngeles, CA Bluebird Cafe Nashville, TN Exit Inn Nashville, TN Kerrville Folk Festival, TX Red Rover Concert Series Bethesda, ML Valley Folk Festival and Concert Series Corning, NY Renaissance Coffeehouse Concert Series Middleburg, NY Plowshares Coffee House Concert Series PA Shenandoah Coffee House Concert Series, Shepherdstown, WV 12 Corners / Big Tree Coffeehouse Concert Series Rochester, NY Billy Block's Western Beat Nashville/Los Angeles BMI Singer Songwriter Showcase / Los Angeles NAS LA Acoustic Underground / Los Angeles