Don Alder plays with a passion rarely seen and is one of those acoustic guitar magicians wtih a signature style that leaves you wondering “How is he making that wall of sound. Ray Danials, Mgr of Rush says “Alder is one of those guitarists that should be famous around the world”. Guitar Player Magazine Senior Editor, Michael Molenda says “Alder, is a Guitar Star in the making and can hold an audience with the best of the seasoned pros”. Alder is currently the only guitarist on the planet to have won all the top modern guitar competitions and his long list of accolades puts him alongside the top players in the acoustic genre. Alder has been featured in numerous guitar magazines, has millions of youtube views, performed duets with Grammy Winners, Angelique Kidjo and John Parr and has been in shows and festivals that included artists such as Steve Vai, Lee Ritnour, David Foster, Victor Wooten, Sarah Mclauglin, Andy Mckee, Tommy Emmanuel and Billy Sheehan (Mr.Big). It was at one of these shows that Lee Ritenour hand picked Alder to be on the advisory judge panel for the highly touted International Six String Theory Contest.
His music also speaks for itself as his current CD “Armed & Dangerous” has him nominated at the 2016 WCMA’s for “Instrumental Artist of the Year”, his previous CD titled “Not a Planet” received two industry nominations for instrumental CD of the year. His music combines deeply textured melody and rhythm, soulful singing with haunting lyrics and his guitar fireworks and fabulous storytelling makes his shows highly entertaining and talked about for days. And, Don’s heart is as big as his talent. In 1985 he put his music career on hold for 2.5 years to help his lifelong friend go around the world in a wheelchair, an amazing journey with a story that has become part of Canadian History. In 2006, Director Michael French produced a feature film about the story, www.heartofadragonmovie.com which includes Don as one of the main characters portrayed by actor Andrew Lee Potts. Alder continues to perform around the world entertaining audiences and inspiring people and guitarists wherever he goes.

Performances /Accolades
2016 WCMA “Instrumental Artist of the Year” Nominee
2015 Domenic Troiano Award (multi-genre category)
2013 International Brand Laureate Recipient (Malaysia)
1st 2011 Worldwide Guitar Idol, UK
1st 2010 Guitar Superstar Champion, North America
1st 2007 International Fingerstyle Champion (Winfield)
2nd 2007 Canadian Guitar Festival Champion
2nd 2006 International Fingerstyle Champion (Winfield)
1st 2006 Winfield Song Showcase Best Instrumental
1st 2005 Winfield Song Showcase Best Instrumental
1st 2004 Winfield Song Showcase Best Instrumental
1st 2005 Best 30-second Guitar Solo Contest – Acidplanet.com
1st 2004 Vancouver Folk Slam
1st 2004 Winfield Intl. Fingerstyle Championships Best Instrumental
Semi-Finalist Canada’s Got Talent
Duets with Grammy Winners Angelique Kidjo, John Parr, special duet with Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield
2010 Performed at the Vancouver Olympics (Olympic Village)
NAMM All Star Guitar Nights (Nashville Ryman Theatre and Anaheim California)
NAMM Breakfast of Champions
TEDx Vancouver performance
Columnist for IGuitar Magazine (five issues)
Greenfield Signature Guitar G4-DA Fan fret acoustic guitar
Riversong Signature Fan Fret Baritone acoustic guitar
Featured Ad placements in magazines including Yamaha, Seymour Duncan, Santo Angelo Cables, Ernie Ball Strings, Riversong Guitars
Full Features in Guitar Player Magazine , IGuitar Magazine, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Guitar UK, Akustik-Gitarre Germany, Acoustic Guitar Japan, Axe Magazine Italy, Fingerstyle Magazine, Vintage Guitar Magazine, Musikkompass, FRETS magazine, Acusitca Chittara, Vancouver Magazine, Yamaha All Access, SNAP JR, Vancouver Courier
Top Tier Endorsements: Yamaha International Artist, Seymour Duncan, Santo Angelo Cables, Laney, Dyer Harp Guitars Sunburst Gear, Ernie Ball Strings, Riversong Guitars, Guitarhands, Journey Guitars, Emerald Guitars “Amicus” Tonewood Amps
QUOTES
“Even though Don stepped onto the Guitar Superstar stage as a solo-acoustic performer, he played with ferocity and charisma, and totally owned the audience and that’s what a guitar star does. You have to deliver something so thrilling that people can’t help but stand up and cheer. Don nailed it.” – Michael Molenda, Editor in Chief, GUITAR PLAYER magazine
“Alder is one of those guitarists that should be famous around the world” – Ray Daniels – Manager for “Rush”
“Don Alder you just took everybody to school, your performances was transcendental” – George Lynch – Dokken
“Alder ! Not only did you just play some amazing guitar but you entertained us, simply amazing,” – Elliot Easton – The Cars
“The World needs to see you !” – Gary Hoey
“I watched the most amazing guitarist last night, still shocked by Don Alder’s talent this AM.” – Carley Rae Jepsen
“Guitar Hero” – Penticton Herald
Don Alder, truly a wonderful player, really great tunes, amazing techqnique and very musical
Andy Timmons, Guitarist “Favored Nations”
“Alder can make a single instrument sound like a 4 piece band. The Guy’s like the acoustic Hendrix”.
Picque News Magazine
“Alder is at the top of his game and deserves every success!”
Nick Campling, G7th capo inventor.
Alder’s infectious fretwork will leave an indelible imprint in your musical memory. Much like his last release, Not a Planet, Alder offers a variety of sonic flavors and styles with technique and execution that are precise and so very fluid. There is an improvisational feel to the performances on Armed & Dangerous that create an immediacy that is fast becoming an Alder trademark. For sheer beauty both “Sophrosyne” and “Precious Moments” show the delicate side of Alder’s fretwork as he coaxes sweetness from a baritone guitar that I haven’t heard since Pat Metheny’s One Quiet Night.
Minor 7th, © James Filkins
Other Info:
http://www.donalder.com
http://www.facebook.com/donalderfanpage
http://www.youtube.com/playthatfunkymusic56
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Alder
Tweets by donalder
http://www.instagram.com/donalder