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Alexander
C. ("Sandy") Shalk, of Smyrna, DE, has been selected as one of the two acoustic guitarists whose performances and arrangements are featured on the inaugural release of the "Guitarist Presentation Series" on the Piney Ridge Music label, Sparta, NJ. He is joined by labelmate Tim Alexander, of Boiling Springs, PA, on the CD entitled "Giving
Voice." The CD is available through CD Baby, at
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/timsandy
In announcing the honor, El McMeen, of Piney Ridge Music, said "we are delighted to take the historic step of expanding the offering of acoustic music through our label to include these fine gentlemen and
players. Their music ranges from evocative original and traditional pieces, to standards like 'Moon River', to uptempo jigs and blues
tunes. It was a privilege for me to produce this CD."
McMeen explained that the Guitarist Presentation Series was initiated to showcase the talents of guitarists whose repertoire and
deep musicality were consistent with the prior contributions of the label to the field of acoustic
guitar. "I had worked with these sensitive musicians over a period of years," McMeen explained, "and feel fortunate to have them on our label."
In commenting on the honor, Shalk stated,
"Piney Ridge and El were great in this whole process. Our engineer Marc
Moss rules in the studio, and Tim's music just blows me away."
Shalk's contributions to the CD consist of 7 tracks, including
powerful renditions of original and Celtic tunes, and the classic "Moon River." Shalk is
married to Christine, with three sons, Ben, Colin and Alec.
Shalk, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, spent his teenage years in Newark, Delaware. Like so many young people of his day, Sandy was fascinated with the guitar, beginning in 1964--the night the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. His empathetic parents arranged for the arrival of his first guitar the following Christmas--a Sears Silvertone (complete with an amp built into the case). Armed shortly after with a few chords, Sandy joined his first band of friends to eventually play the popular rock and roll tunes of the day at fire halls, schools, and parties. Sandy’s early musical interests
included rock and roll, folk, and jazz music, and some of the great jazz guitarists of the
1960's: Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Kenny Burrell.
Sandy began his full-time professional career as a guitarist in the early 1970's with local popular and jazz music groups from Northern Delaware. After studying with Philadelphia guitar teacher Dennis Sandole, Sandy toured the United States for four years with Turning Point, playing contemporary popular music. The experience included an opportunity to play with oldies groups including Joey Dee and the Starlighters, who hit the charts in the 1960's with the
" Peppermint Twist." After returning to Wilmington in the late '70's, Sandy played jazz and popular music with a number of local groups, including Centerpiece, Boulevard, and Encore.
With an increased appreciation for the day gig, Sandy returned to the University of Delaware in 1980 to earn a B.A. in American Studies and an M.A. in Literature and Pedagogy. Sandy began teaching English at Smyrna High School in Smyrna, Delaware in 1984, eventually leaving to become a high school principal in Milford, Delaware. Heritage Books, Inc. published his book, “Delaware: A Trivia Guide to the First State” in 1995, and in 2001 Sandy received his doctorate in education Ed.D. from Wilmington College. Sandy returned to Smyrna in 2000 to assume the position of the Director of Curriculum. As the Director of Curriculum, Sandy is responsible for monitoring the implementation of school curriculum K-12, state testing, accountability issues, summer school, mentoring, and professional development.
Sandy’s musical journey took a remarkable new twist in the mid-1990's when his interests turned to fingerstyle guitar, and he was introduced to the music of El McMeen, Steve Baughman, John Renbourn, and other great artists who arrange music for the guitar in alternative tunings. As a solo performer, Sandy performs fingerstyle arrangements of Scottish, Irish, and American tunes, both traditional and modern, in alternative guitar tunings such as DADGAD, CGDGAD, and CGDGCD. Sandy enjoys rediscovering his Scottish roots and exploring the musical diversity possible on acoustic guitar. He performs in a variety of folk venues.
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