South Plains College to host Alan Munde Tribute concert on March 1  

 

LEVELLAND – Legendary banjo player and former South Plains College instructor Alan Munde will perform with Pickin’ on the Plains at 7 p.m.. on March 1 (Friday) in the Tom T. Hall Production Studio. 

The concert also will feature Flatlands Bluegrass and Steve Williams, associate professor of commercial music. There is no admission charge although donations to benefit the SPC Commercial Music Scholarship Fund will be accepted. 

Munde joined the faculty at SPC in August 1986. He has influenced thousands of students through his innovative style and creativity. Munde performed for two years with the legendary bluegrass musician Jimmy Martin in 1969. He played with Martin as one of the Sunny Mountain Boys. 

In 1972, Munde became a member of the Flying Burrito Brothers when he played with Byron Berline. Following their European tour, the Burritos split up and Munde joined Country Gazette which was formed by Berline. Country Gazette went on to record their first album "Traitor in Our Midst" in 1972. 

“Joe Carr and Alan Munde played a concert in Levelland, and it was a hit with the music department,” said. Ed Marsh, professor of commercial music. “Dr. Marvin Baker, then president of South Plains College, thought Carr was the funniest emcee he’d ever heard. We offered Joe a job here and he accepted.” 

Marsh said Munde followed suit about four years later, and he came on board. He said he served on the search committee that hired Munde, and it was quite an experience because he idolized Munde. Munde brought a wealth of experience and a love for teaching to the classrooms at SPC. 

Munde has made countless recordings, publications and teaching tools along with being featured in variety of articles highlighting his accomplishments in the industry. He is one of the major artists in the banjo industry having influenced a large portion of the people who have picked up the instrument in the past 20 years. He retired from SPC in May 2007.

Marsh said the concert will feature a variety of songs including “Peaches and Cream,” “Welcome to West Texas,” “The Great Joe Bob” and “Can’t Get the Hell out of Texas” among many others.   

For more information, contact Marsh at (806) 716-2274.