First born scion of working class parents, Alton Rex was born into
a southern culture still trying to recover from the effects of the
great depression. His songwriting reflects the influences of gospel
and country music on his early years, spent living wherever his
Father's military orders sent the family to live. Over the last 30
years, Alton has honed his skills in venues all over the US and
Europe, from Kansas City to Key West, to Seattle, Germany, NYC, and
Washington, DC.
During the past four years in Austin, Alton he has written a series of songs which document the emergence of his genuine talent. These songs culminated in the release of his first CD "Soul Faces" which is getting very high marks from radio around the world. Soul Faces is being programmed on a hundred NPR affiliate stations, and in 9 foreign countries. It's a sterling first effort from this artist, produced by the man who first brought us Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett.
In June of 2001, Alton was invited by Jan Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to perform his song "How Many Children" live at the "Wall" in our nation's capitol during a Fathers Day ceremony. Since then, Alton continues to write songs for and about veterans and to perform for these communities at every opportunity.
Alton's first musical contact was the trumpet, which he played from the fourth grade throughout high school and college. His mother, motivated by the chance discovery of a guitar made from cardboard and telephone wire she found hidden in his closet, bought his first guitar for Christmas, 1965. Within weeks of this gift, he was trying to write songs as he struggled learning to play the instrument that would accompany the rest of his life.
As a child, he as an avid reader, and started to write poetry & prose shortly after the death of his father when he was eight. The music and poetry just naturally evolved into songwriting as he was influenced by Lennon & McCartney, the man in black, Hank Williams, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and other renaissance voices of the times.
His lyrics are hauntingly reminiscent of Mickey Newberry. He writes strong, captivating melodies and whimsical story songs.
Alton started playing the rich coffeehouse circuit of Kansas City at age 14, and played his first pro gig 2 years later at Kansas City's Sidewalk Cafi. During these years he was befriended by another songwriter from Kansas City: Owen Davis, who taught Alton the fundamentals of song structures and alliteration. Owen was (and still is) an encouraging voice in Alton's life.
Performing as often as possible, Alton completed school, a culinary apprenticeship, served a tour in the United States Navy, and traveled the world. He has kept bars, fixed aircraft, run kitchens, repaired and lived on sail boats, and sang in the castles and train depots of Europe. He's lived high and low in many varied places, and he has always found a willing audience for his voice and heartfelt songs.
~ Jack "Sandman" Garrison, WFIT-FM's Private Radio
"Man, I love this CD!"
~ J.D. Rose, Program Director - Texas Rebel Radio, KFAN-FM & KEEP-FM
A singer/songwriter's first creation is generally littered with a cover or two, a couple of cuts to be rued in later years and, hopefully, a number of quality songs. Alton Rex has done it his way, with an unusual initial offering. All the selections are not only self-penned but, as he edges towards filler territory with his ninth and tenth songs, he displays the most powerful cuts on this release.
"Fallen" and "How Many Children," these two cuts, deal with life and loss. Rex, mining his military family background, blends parts of his personal history with eras of this country and other countries' past and present. Tossing a nod to Mickey Newberry, Rex captures the loss of a time and place with "Trains Don't Run".
Rex brings his words to life with a comfortable, clear and enjoyable voice. You'll enjoy what he has to say and how he delivers it. The dobro and pedal steel backing brings a country sound to some of these cuts, but this release maintains a folk feel and sound.
~ Kevin McCarthy, www.surfnetusa.com/celtic-folk
