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Alan Walden

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Alan Walden
Background information
Born (1943-05-23) May 23, 1943 (age 81)
Macon, Georgia
OriginMacon, Georgia, USA
OccupationManager

Alan Walden (born May 23, 1943, Macon, Georgia) is an American manager, publisher, booking agent, and promoter.

He has worked with musical acts including Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge, Johnnie Taylor, Clarence Carter, Arthur Conley, Al Green, Joe Tex, Z. Z. Hill, Candi Staton, Albert King, William Bell, Eddie Floyd, Etta James, Boz Scaggs, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Outlaws, and September Hase.[1] He opened Redwal Music with his brother Phil Walden in 1965, publishing hit songs like "Respect", "I Can't Turn You Loose", "Sweet Soul Music", "I've Been Loving You Too Long", and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay". He also co-founded Capricorn Records with his brother and later went on to form Hustler's Inc., a management and publishing company.[2]

Biography

Early years

Walden was born on May 23, 1943 to C.B. and Carolyn Walden[3] in Macon, Georgia. He graduated from Lanier High School in Macon in 1961.[4]

Early career and Capricorn Records

Walden was a sophomore at Mercer University in Macon when his older brother Phil Walden graduated from college and moved to Germany as a lieutenant in the US Army. He was made a full-time partner in Phil Walden Artists and Promotions, the promoting company that his brother had founded, and handled the business affairs of the company until his brother returned in 1965. It was during this time that Walden managed up-and-coming artist Otis Redding and 44 other black recording artists, breaking racial barriers and helping the agency to become one of the largest black artist management companies in the South. In 1965, Redding, Walden, and his brother created Redwal Music, a publishing company to house such songs as "When a Man Loves a Woman", "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and "Soul Man". All three of these songs went on to win awards for the number one Rhythm and Blues Single of the Year in Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World.[1]

When Redding died suddenly in 1967, Walden, his brother, and Frank Fenter founded Capricorn Records in Macon, the label that was responsible for bringing The Allman Brothers Band and Southern rock into mainstream America.[1] During his stint with Capricorn, Walden signed blues rock singer and guitarist Boz Scaggs.[2]

Hustler's Inc.

In 1970, Walden resigned from Capricorn and started Hustler's Inc, a publishing and management company. He auditioned 187 bands before settling on Lynyrd Skynyrd, the 13th band he'd seen. "I changed my lucky number from 5 to 13," Walden later said. Walden worked with Lynyrd Skynyrd until 1974, during which time he published the Southern Rock classics "Freebird", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Gimme Three Steps", and "Simple Man". During his time with Lynyrd Skynyrd, vocalist Ronnie Van Zant introduced Walden to up-and-coming Southern rock band Outlaws. Walden signed The Outlaws shortly before his separation with Lynyrd Skynyrd, and went on to get The Outlaws signed to Arista Records. He helped them achieve three gold records and one platinum record between 1974 and 1999, and published their hits "There Goes Another Love Song" and "Green Grass and High Tides".[2]

Retirement and September Hase

Alan Walden in 2008 with Blackbird at the signing of their management contract

After Outlaws disbanded in 1999, Walden represented southern artists Night Train and Chris Hicks before officially retiring to Macon to spend time with his wife Tosha and their son Christian, and his daughters Jessica and Georgeanna. While he missed the buzz of the music industry, he took up several hobbies, including raising chickens.

In 2003, Walden was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame for his contributions to music.[1]

In 2008, at the urging of a friend that worked as a sound technician at the 550 Blues club in Macon, Walden set up an audition for local rock band September Hase with the intent of giving them pointers about the music industry. Upon seeing them perform, however, he was blown away by their talent and potential and felt that they had everything he'd been looking for in a band for the last 25 years. "The first time I heard them play, I literally cried," Walden later said. "I had tears going down my face." He immediately decided to come out of retirement to manage the band, and signed them at the Red Tomato restaurant in Macon in July 2008.[5] In September 2009, Walden and September Hase amicably parted ways.

Personal life

Walden has two children from a previous marriage, Jessica and Georgeanna. He is currently married to model Tosha Walden and together they have one child, Christian.

Complete List of Artists

Walden has worked with the following artists:

References

  1. ^ a b c d Georgia Music Hall of Fame. "Alan Walden - Georgia Music Hall of Fame 2003 Inductee". georgiamusicstore.com. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c Smith, Michael B. "Skynyrd, The Allmans and Otis: Alan Walden's Career in Rock and Soul". swampland.com. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
  3. ^ Walden, Allen. "Remembering Otis Redding". jpp-product.club.fr. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  4. ^ Ramati, Phillip. "I-16 interchange dedicated to Phil Walden". macon.com. June 6, 2008.
  5. ^ 13WMAZ. "Scene 13: Alan Walden and Blackbird visit the WMAZ Studios". 13WMAZ.com. August 21, 2008.
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