Don Alder

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{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Don Alder

| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|CM|size=100%}}

| image = Don Alder in 2010.jpeg

| birth_name =

| alias =

| birth_place = Vancouver, British Columbia

| death_date =

| origin =

| instrument = Guitar, vocals, harp guitar

| genre = acoustic rock

| occupation = Musician, composer

| years_active = 1986–present

| label = Fret Monkey Records

| website = [http://www.donalder.com/ www.donalder.com] https://www.facebook.com/donalderfanpage

}}

Donald L. Alder (born in Vancouver, BC, Canada) is a Canadian fingerstyle guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer, and speaker.

Biography

He spent his early childhood years in Montreal, before his family moved to Williams Lake, British Columbia. He has played guitar since age 11.[http://www.akustik-gitarre.de Akustik-Gitarre(02/2009)]

In March 1985, Alder put his music career on hold to accompany his friend Rick Hansen on his Man in Motion world tour.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rickhansen.com/Who-We-Are/About-Rick-Hansen/Man-In-Motion-World-Tour/Tour-Team/Don-Alder.aspx |title=Man in Motion Tour |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104210815/https://www.rickhansen.com/Who-We-Are/About-Rick-Hansen/Man-In-Motion-World-Tour/Tour-Team/Don-Alder.aspx |archive-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}

In January 1988, Mayor Woods of Williams Lake presented a certificate of merit to Don Alder for "Disabled Awareness - Man in Motion".[https://williamslake.civicweb.net Williams Lake CivicWeb]

Don Alder's character appears in the feature film "Heart of a Dragon" (2008), a movie about the Man In Motion Tour,[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423073/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 IMDB] with Andrew Lee Potts playing the character of "Don". Don Alder also worked on this movie as a technical advisor.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423073/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 IMDB]

Alder is also featured in a play called "Rick: The Rick Hansen Story", which is also about the Man in Motion Tour.{{Cite web |url=http://www.playwrightscanada.com/index.php/genres/theatre-for-young-audiences-tya/rick-the-rick-hansen-story.html |title=Rick: The Rick Hansen Story |access-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104203922/http://www.playwrightscanada.com/index.php/genres/theatre-for-young-audiences-tya/rick-the-rick-hansen-story.html |archive-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}

Don Alder was a member of the Canadian National Paralympic team in Atlanta for the 1996 Games and again in 2000 for the Games in Sydney, Australia. Alder did not participate as an athlete but as the equipment manager and wheelchair technician.[http://www.rambles.net/alder_cmats07.html Rambles.net]

In 2007, Don Alder became International Fingerstyle Champion.{{Cite web |url=http://www.wvfest.com/contests/bycontest.html?contestid=9 |title=Int'l Fingerstyle Champion |access-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204424/http://www.wvfest.com/contests/bycontest.html?contestid=9 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}

In 2010, he was the Guitar Superstar contest winner.{{Cite web |url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/superstar2010 |title=Guitarplayer Superstar 2010 |access-date=12 November 2013 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212811/http://www.guitarplayer.com/superstar2010 |url-status=dead }}

In 2011, he won the World Wide Guitar Idol contest.{{Cite web |url=http://www.guitaridol.tv/ |title=GuitarIdol |access-date=1 December 2013 |archive-date=30 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230184157/http://www.guitaridol.tv/ |url-status=dead }}

In 2013, he won Brand Laureate Award (Malaysia) for his contributions using his guitar and music to help and inspire others around the world.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thebrandlaureate.com/2011/bp/116.html |title=Brand Laureate Award |access-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623093114/http://www.thebrandlaureate.com/2011/bp/116.html |archive-date=23 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}

In 2015, he was awarded the "Domenic Troiano Guitar Award" in the category "multi-genre".{{Cite web |url=http://www.wltribune.com/community/323265171.html |title=Don Alder wins multi-genre Troiano guitar award - Williams Lake Tribune |access-date=30 August 2015 |archive-date=12 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912042321/http://www.wltribune.com/community/323265171.html |url-status=dead }}

Today, Alder continues to play to Canadian, American, European,[https://archive.today/20140126120756/http://www.iguitarmag.com/news/2013/07/don-alder-announces-tour-dates-with-fingerstyle-collective/ Iguitar magazine] and Asian audiences.

In 2016, he was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award and a Western Canadian Music Award.{{cite web| url = https://breakoutwest.ca/blog/2016-wcma-nominees| title = 2016 WCMA Nominees {{!}} BreakOut West}}

In 2017, he won "Artist of the Year" at the Vancouver Island Music Awards.{{cite web| url = https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r9dtf-NukPJvJVrhlJHA-3cltJIUOAKs1u8Vj-CcIOc/edit| title = VIMA XIII Winners}}

In 2021, the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame honored Don Alder with a Star Meritus status.{{cite web| url = https://bcentertainmenthalloffame.com/announcing-2020-21-honorees-to-bc-entertainment-hall-of-fame/?fbclid=IwAR36TTKjvjDSqYr7Cy53XkTSZz-Moyt9c_WGWHlEOOVVhEpV8pIVcp6SWz8| title = Announcing 2020-21 Honorees to BC Entertainment Hall of Fame – BC ENTERTAINMENT HALL OF FAME| date = 4 February 2021}}

Alder has performed at venues around the world, including Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night which he performed at five times.[http://allstarguitarnight.com/upcoming-shows/ All Star Guitar Night]

He writes and performs all of his own music, and has released seven albums.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sixstringbliss.com/?p=1210 |title=sixstringbliss.com |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202104726/http://www.sixstringbliss.com/?p=1210 |url-status=dead }} His CD, Not a Planet earned him a nomination for Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2009.{{Cite web |url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/don-alder/150228 |title=Guitarplayer.com |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212917/http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/don-alder/150228 |url-status=dead }}

Greenfield Guitars designed a signature guitar for Don Alder, known as the G4-Don Alder model, which is a G4 married with a Novax Fanned Fret fingerboard.{{Cite web |url=http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/en/gg2.aspx?class=gg§ion=64&storyid=132 |title=Greenfield Guitars |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125161712/http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/en/gg2.aspx?class=gg§ion=64&storyid=132 |archive-date=25 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}

In August 2016, Don Alder signed on with the Fret Monkey Record Label.{{cite web| url = https://www.fretmonkeyrecords.com/| title = FRETMONKEY RECORDS}}

Don Alder has written for iGuitar magazine.{{Cite web |url=http://licklibrary.ceros.com/iguitarmag/guthrie-govan-guitar-interactive-magazine-isse-13/issue13/page/163 |title=Iguitar magazine |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204438/http://licklibrary.ceros.com/iguitarmag/guthrie-govan-guitar-interactive-magazine-isse-13/issue13/page/163 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}

Don Alder performed with Keith Knight as "Extreme Guitar Duo".[http://www.bearclawmusic.com Extreme Guitar Duo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104205308/http://www.bearclawmusic.com/ |date=4 January 2014 }})

Don Alder has done volunteer work for the Vancouver Adapted Music Society.

Don Alder also volunteered as "Artist as teachers" for DAREarts,{{Cite web |url=http://www.darearts.com/teaching-vancouver.shtml |title=DAREarts |access-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204352/http://www.darearts.com/teaching-vancouver.shtml |archive-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead }} a Canadian charitable organization that uses educational experiences in the arts to empower children and youth facing life challenges, with confidence, courage, and leadership skills to unlock their potential and ignite change in their lives and communities.

He is also a featured performer for Synergy Collective.{{Cite web |url=http://www.synergycollective.ca |title=Synergy Collective}}

Don Alder has many endorsements, including Seymour Duncan, Yamaha Guitars, Riversong Guitars,[http://www.msretailer.com/msr/river-dreams/ ms retailer.com] Santo Angelo Cables, Tonewood Amps, Journey Guitars, Leviora Guitars, Guitar Hands, Ernie Ball, and Dyer Harp Guitars.[http://harpguitars.net/blog/2013/01/namm-january-2013/ Gregg's Blog]

In fall 2014, Riversong Guitars, Kamloops, BC, Canada built a "Don Alder Signature Baritone", featuring many design innovations, including a new bracing system, bridge design and a new electronics package (Slap). This new guitar was presented to the public at NAMM 2015 in Anaheim, California.[http://www.msretailer.com/msr/river-dreams/ ms retailer.com]

In April 2014, Don Alder performed the song "Space Oddity" together with Canadian astronaut and ISS Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield. The third Canadian on stage at this event, which took place in Kona, Hawaii, was actor William Shatner.

In 2024, he was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada. He lives in Vancouver.{{cite web|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/appointments-order-canada-december-2024|title=Appointments to the Order of Canada – December 18, 2024 }}

Discography

2015 Armed and Dangerous;[https://archive.today/20150128113332/http://www.iguitarmag.com/news/2015/01/don-alder-announces-armed-and-dangerous-european-tour-2015/ Iguitarmagazine 01/2015]

2008 Not A Planet;[http://www.akustik-gitarre.de Akustik-Gitarre 02/2009 p.72]

2007 Acoustic Matters;

2005 Take The Train, eh;

2005 Cool Tunes Compilation;

2005 Best of Don Alder;

2003 Acoustiholic;

Media feedback

Penticton Herald: "Don Alder, the King of Strings."{{cite web| url = http://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/local_news/article_f08a861b-a54e-5352-a860-9f70e7fc3239.html| title = Don Alder: the king of strings {{!}} Local News {{!}} pentictonherald.ca| date = 17 June 2013}}

Vancouver Magazine: "Don Alder is widely acclaimed as one of the finest acoustic guitarists in the world."{{cite web| url = http://vanmag.com/uncategorized/don-alder/| title = Don Alder - Vancouver Magazine| date = 10 April 2012}}

"In einer sehr melodiösen Klangsprache entfaltet der Meister der Gitarre einen Song ohne Worte, ein musikalisches Zwiegespräch zwischen zwei "Stimmen" seiner Gitarre." (WAZ Herne, 12/2016 - With his very melodic sound language the guitar virtuoso creates a song without words, a dialogue between two "voices" of his guitar.){{cite web| url = https://www.waz.de/staedte/herne-wanne-eickel/don-alder-aus-kanada-beruehrt-in-der-akademie-mit-balladen-id208898509.html| title = Don Alder aus Kanada berührt in der Akademie mit Balladen - waz.de| date = 6 December 2016}}

"Don Alder ist nicht nur Gitarrist, sondern auch Sänger. Seine Songs sind auch deswegen abwechslungsreich, weil er sie zum Teil auf einer Harfengitarre spielt, die Alders Klangspektrum noch einmal erweitert." (NOZ, 09/2017) - Don Alder is not only a guitarist, but also a singer/songwriter. He's offering a big variety of songs by using different types of guitars, f.e. his harp guitar, which offers a wider sound spectrum than a normal acoustic guitar.{{cite web| url = https://www.noz.de/lokales/osnabrueck/artikel/947641/gitarrist-don-alder-im-lutherhaus-in-osnabrueck| title = Weltmeister auf sechs Saiten: Gitarrist Don Alder im Lutherhaus in Osnabrück| date = 6 September 2017}}

"Der Kanadier ist der international mit den meisten Titeln ausgezeichnete Gitarrist und manchmal denkt man, es würde nicht nur ein Gitarrenspieler auf der Bühne stehen." (Leverkusen, 11/2017) - The Canadian is an international successful guitarist who won several awards, and sometimes his music sounds like there is not only guitarist on stage.{{cite web| url = http://www.wz.de/lokales/burscheid-region/don-adler-zu-gast-in-leverkusen-1.2544065| title = Don Adler zu Gast in Leverkusen| date = 27 October 2017}}

Sources

[http://www.guitaridol.tv/ GuitarIdol] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230184157/http://www.guitaridol.tv/ |date=30 December 2010 }}

[http://www.guitarplayer.com/superstar2010 Guitarplayer Superstar 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212811/http://www.guitarplayer.com/superstar2010 |date=4 January 2014 }}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104210815/https://www.rickhansen.com/Who-We-Are/About-Rick-Hansen/Man-In-Motion-World-Tour/Tour-Team/Don-Alder.aspx Man in Motion Tour]

[https://williamslake.civicweb.net Williams Lake CivicWeb]

[https://breakoutwest.ca/blog/2016-wcma-nominees]

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204424/http://www.wvfest.com/contests/bycontest.html?contestid=9 Int'l Fingerstyle Champion]

[https://web.archive.org/web/20130623093114/http://www.thebrandlaureate.com/2011/bp/116.html Brand Laureate Award]

[http://www.wltribune.com/community/323265171.html Williams Lake Tribune 2015-08-28] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912042321/http://www.wltribune.com/community/323265171.html |date=12 September 2015 }}

[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423073/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 IMDB.com]

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104210815/https://www.rickhansen.com/Who-We-Are/About-Rick-Hansen/Man-In-Motion-World-Tour/Tour-Team/Don-Alder.aspx Man-In-Motion-World-Tour]

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104203922/http://www.playwrightscanada.com/index.php/genres/theatre-for-young-audiences-tya/rick-the-rick-hansen-story.html Rick: The Rick Hansen Story]

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104205400/http://www.vams.org/about-vams2.html VAMS]

[https://archive.today/20140126120756/http://www.iguitarmag.com/news/2013/07/don-alder-announces-tour-dates-with-fingerstyle-collective/ Iguitar magazine]

[http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/don-alder/150228 Guitarplayer.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212917/http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/don-alder/150228 |date=4 January 2014 }}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20131125161712/http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/en/gg2.aspx?class=gg§ion=64&storyid=132 Greenfield Guitars]

[https://www.fretmonkeyrecords.com/]

[http://www.sixstringbliss.com/?p=1210 sixstringbliss.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202104726/http://www.sixstringbliss.com/?p=1210 |date=2 February 2014 }}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204438/http://licklibrary.ceros.com/iguitarmag/guthrie-govan-guitar-interactive-magazine-isse-13/issue13/page/163 Iguitar magazine]

[http://www.cbc.ca/nxnw/featured-guests/2011/12/09/don-alder-guitar-idol/ CBC]

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212928/http://slc.ubc.ca/2012/11/12/featured-presenter-don-alder/ UBC]

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204352/http://www.darearts.com/teaching-vancouver.shtml DAREarts]

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140104205308/http://www.bearclawmusic.com/ Extreme Guitar Duo]

[http://www.akustik-gitarre.de Akustik-Gitarre 02/2009 p.72]

[http://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/local_news/article_f08a861b-a54e-5352-a860-9f70e7fc3239.html]

[http://vanmag.com/uncategorized/don-alder/]

[https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/don-alders-acoustic-whirlwind] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011704/https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/don-alders-acoustic-whirlwind |date=3 January 2018 }}

[https://www.waz.de/staedte/herne-wanne-eickel/don-alder-aus-kanada-beruehrt-in-der-akademie-mit-balladen-id208898509.html]

[https://www.noz.de/lokales/osnabrueck/artikel/947641/gitarrist-don-alder-im-lutherhaus-in-osnabrueck]

[http://www.wz.de/lokales/burscheid-region/don-adler-zu-gast-in-leverkusen-1.2544065]

wiki

Don Alder

Biography

Discography

Media feedback

Sources

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