Joe Carr
&
Alan Munde

Joe Carr

Self-taught musician, Joe Carr has many recordings to his credit over the years, including solo and duo records, as well as contributing on other artists' records and issuing numerous instructional videos.

Joe began playing guitar at the age of 13 and later became highly skilled in many other instruments, inlcuding the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and ukulele. Carr joined the Country Gazette in the late '70s, appearing on 1978 - All This and Money Too and 1981's American & Clean. He left the Gazette in 1984 and joined the faculty of the Commercial Music Program at South Plains College in Levelland, TX.

Carr's solo releases include such titles as Let's Go Dancing Down in Texas and Line Dance Party Texas Style. He also collaborated with ex-Country Gazette banjo player Alan Munde on the album Windy Days and Dusty Skies and in writing the book "Prairie Nights to Neon Lights: A History of Country Music in West Texas."

He was a beloved instructor at SPC and co-directed summer bluegrass music camps until his passing on December 14, 2014.

Alan Munde

Alan Munde needs no introduction to long-time Bluegrass fans. From his early creative work with Sam Bush in Poor Richard's Almanac to his traditional bluegrass apprenticeship with Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys to his 21-year stint anchoring the landmark Country Gazette, Alan has blazed a trail as one of the most innovative and influential banjo players of all time.

Along the way, Alan also recorded and contributed to numerous instrumental recordings, including the 2001 IBMA Instrumental Album of the Year - Knee Deep in Bluegrass. Alan has supplemented his recorded work with several instructional publications for the banjo, and, from 1986 to 2006, Alan taught Bluegrass and Country Music at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, a program which has produced many professional musicians nationwide.

Alan performed and recorded as a duo with his South Plains faculty colleague (and former Gazette-mate) Joe Carr. Alan's extensive body of recorded work, his instructional materials, and his work at South Plains (including the annual Camp Bluegrass) has solidified his status as one of the true 'gurus' of the 5-string. Alan currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Bluegrass Music Association and is the leader of the Alan Munde Gazette band. Alan was also profiled in the June 2005 issue of Bluegrass Now magazine. Alan retired from South Plains College, but continues to entertain folks with his music and to educate others through the Internet, videos and private lessons.