KeyLine Mag June 2015 | Page 14

COUNTRY SINGER: ALAN TURNER “Country Star On The Rise” Not since Garth Brooks jumped off the stage and into peoples' hearts has the country scene delivered such rive ng entertainment as southeastern Michigan's Alan Turner and his Steel Horse Band. His connec on with his fans makes him stand out, and his rugged good looks and rich baritone vocals o en have him touted as “Tim McGraw with a Toby Keith a tude.” Alan found his love of music at a very young age. By six years old, Alan's mother, a Sunday school teacher was teaching him to read music and play piano. Alan's father, also a singer /songwriter, was a constant inspira on un l his death when Alan was just ten years old. “Shortly before his death, my father had given me Kenny Roger's album, The Gambler,” Alan explains. “I think it was the combina on of my father's musical influence and that old vinyl record of Kenny's that led to my love of country music.” This love is visible in Alan's music in the way he delivers each song on stage. That love came full circle in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2010 when Alan and the band had the honor of mee ng Kenny Rogers and being his direct opening act. All across the USA and into Canada, Alan and the band have been thrilling crowds with dis nctly high energy country with a pumping rock n roll sound that no one delivers be er. From Alan jumping off the stage to sing and dance with the fans, to the driving beat of a very confident and talented group of musicians, you definitely don't want to miss a show. The Steel Horse Band consists of: lead guitarist J.T. Monroe, Randy Lopez on the bass guitar, Billy Lee on keyboards, and drummer Dave Piotrowski. Heather Nicole also adds her angelic voice as background vocalist on selected dates. They truly have made their mark as a band to be reckoned with. Recently Alan signed a 4 song produc on deal in Nashville with producer, Jeff Huskins (formerly of the band Li le Texas). This project includes major label support and is part of a next big step in Alan and the band's musical future. With a nonstop performance schedule of over 134 performances a year there is no sign of slowing down. Look for Alan Turner and the Steel Horse Band to be performing at venues near you. This is one cowboy you don't want to miss! Check out our interview with Alan and get to know more about him. KeyLine: To give our readers more of your background, tell us how you got started in the music business and how long have you been doing this. Alan Turner: I have spent most of my life involved in music, singing in choirs, quartets and as soloist. But frankly, it was about 8 years ago that things took a turn when I decided to pursue music professionally and focus taking my singing and songwri ng to different level. I had entered and won a vocal contest which resulted in me being the direct opening act for Nashville Recording Ar st, Keith Anderson (Pickin' Wild Flowers, XXL, Podunk). Immediately a er I was approached to start a band and the rest is history. KeyLine: Have a mother and a father that both have a love for music had to enrich your life greatly. How do you think they have impacted your life? Alan Turner: My mother was my Sunday school teacher and taught me how to read music and play piano. My father was a truck driver but he was also a singer and would perform with a traveling orchestra (similar to that of Glenn Miller Orchestra). He loved country music and the Big Band sound from the 40's and 50's. He used to bounce me on his knee and sing to me when I was a li le guy. WWW.KEYLINEPRODUCTIONS.COM