Personalities | Dave Alvin | Alt. Country & The Bluegrass Revival

(Vocals, guitar, b. 1955)

Dave Alvin did most of the Springsteen-like songwriting and his brother Phil Alvin (vocals, guitar, b. 1953) did all the lead singing for The Blasters, one of the best roots-rock bands of the ’80s. Dave left to join X and then left that band for a solo career that increasingly emphasized the country side of his influences. His song about Hank Williams’ last ride, ‘Long White Cadillac’, became a Top 40 country hit for Dwight Yoakam. Alvin also produced alt.-country projects for Sonny Burgess, Big Sandy And His Fly-Rite Boys, Tom Russell, The Derailers, Christy McWilson, Candye Kane and Katy Moffatt. Alvin’s best solo albums were 1991’s Blue Blvd., 1994’s King Of California and 2004’s Ashgrove, but the twangiest of Alvin’s projects was the part-time band The Knitters, which also featured John Doe and Exene Cervenka of X.

Styles & Forms | Alt. Country & The Bluegrass Revival
Personalities | Blood Oranges | Alt. Country & The Bluegrass Revival

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Country Music, consultant editor Bob Allen

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