Alan Munde was an Oklahoman banjoist who first emerged in 1969 as a player with bluegrass guitarist
Jimmy Martin's band.
Munde remained with
Martin until 1971, when he left to join
Country Gazette with
Roger Bush (bass), Kenny Wertz (guitar), and
Byron Berline (fiddle). The combo released Traitor in Our Midst in 1972 through United Artists.
Munde would remain the constant in
Country Gazette over the next 20 or so years, even as its membership fluctuated around him. But he also found time to release solo albums and collaborate with like-minded modern bluegrass musicians like
Sam Bush and
Joe Carr, with whom he released 1996's
Windy Days and Dusty Skies.
Munde also released a series of how-to and transcription books through AcuTab that detailed his banjo style. ~ Johnny Loftus