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Don plays high-energy, percussive, acoustic guitar and 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 or the “Acoustic Hendrix”.
In 1985, he put his music career on hold to accompany his lifelong friend, Rick Hansen, on a quest to create awareness for the potential of people with disabilities, and to generate funds for spinal cord research. For two years, two months and two days, across every type of terrain and through every kind of weather, Rick wheeled over 40,000 kilometers, through 34 countries on four continents. The Man In Motion World Tour www.RickHansen.com, which raised over $26 million dollars for spinal cord research and quality of life initiatives, became a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of teamwork, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to pursue their dreams against all odds.
Today, Don continues to work at the Rick Hansen Foundation, which has had an impact of over $200 million in the field of spinal cord injury. He got involved with the Foundation to “help make a difference” in improving the quality of life of others, which he also hopes to do with his music and stories about his experiences; and is always supporting and encouraging new artists.
Don’s live performances are inspired and filled with passion. This “WOW Factor,” has led to multiple endorsement deals including a signature “Don Alder G4 Model” acoustic guitar, hand built by world-class luthier, Michael Greenfield of Greenfield Guitars. Don is also one of Canada’s premiere Harp Guitarists. In 2005, he was chosen to be on the Fingerstyle All Stars DVD, with artists such as Andy McKee and Peter Finger; and in 2007, became the first Canadian to win the prestigious International Fingerstyle Championship (held in Winfield, Kansas). He placed second the previous year.
Don plays to Canadian, American, European, and Asian audiences, sharing stages with other master acoustic guitarists. For live performances, Don appreciates the great snap and crispness of the Alchemy Gold Phosphor, and the shimmering qualities of the Gold Bronze, when recording. He was so impressed with the sound of the strings that he re-recorded his instrumental CD “Acoustic Matters”.
Watch video clips of Don on youtube using the Alchemy GoldPhosphor strings on a variety of guitars including baritone and harp guitars .
Here are a number of comments that Don has made about Alchemy™:
“While I was putting on the Gold Bronze I thought, ‘Here we go again… another set of slippery, coated strings.’ To my surprise I found they didn’t feel coated at all so I checked the string pack to make sure I had the right set. It took me a few days to really believe that someone didn’t mix up the sets with a standard set of strings at the factory by mistake.”
“I love the gold color, Dean got it right the first time.”
“The strings sound sweet and have great snap during aggressive playing. I also found incredible consistency from set to set.”
“Playing Coated Strings without feeling like you’re on an oil slick—cool! Strings just don’t get any better then this.”
Don uses Dean Markley Alchemy GoldBronze MED, Alchemy GoldPhos MED, and PhoBronze Acoustic MED.
Be sure to visit the Don Alder website at:
www.DonAlder.com or
www.MySpace.com/donalder.
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