Biography

A native of the farming and coal mining country of western Kentucky, Alan Tompkins grew up steeped in the sounds of classic country, gospel, and bluegrass music. Like many others, he first sang in the little country church he attended as a child. His mother, an accomplished singer, piano player, and piano teacher, encouraged him to play piano by giving him lessons for a few years. But as soon as Alan got his hands on a well-used Kalamazoo electric bass, the piano lessons were over!

Alan played and sang with several bands during his early years, and was the bassist and a singer in the worship band at Christian Assembly Church in his home town of Madisonville, Kentucky. There he learned from many talented musicians who had played and recorded professionally (or later would).

Alan moved to Texas in 1983, where he would earn MBA and law degrees at SMU. His business career kept him busy for the next two decades, but the musical fire never burned out. After becoming friends with Texas country artist Deryl Dodd, Alan’s desire to play live music again roared to life. His love of bluegrass motivated him to learn to play banjo, upright bass, and other instruments used in traditional bluegrass.

Alan has had the privilege of sharing the stage with many incredibly talented musicians and singers, including GRAMMY® winner Rusty Goodman of the Happy Goodman Family, ACM New Male Vocalist Nominee Deryl Dodd, National Heritage Fellow (and Texas fiddle legend) Jim “Texas Shorty” Chancellor, Kenny & Amanda Smith, Ron Stewart, Gerald Jones, Nate Lee, Steve Rhian, and many others.

It was a thrill for Alan to produce and record his first album, No Part of Nothin'. The cast of players and singers on the project is incredible, with dozens of IBMA and GRAMMY® award wins and nominations among them. The list includes many of Alan’s musical heroes, including Sam Bush, Deryl Dodd, Kenny & Amanda Smith, Ron Stewart, Stephen Mougin, Gerald Jones, Greg Cahill, Ned Luberecki, Mike Bub, Randy Kohrs, Brad Davis, Nate Lee, Bobby Davis, and Steve Rhian. Alan is thankful to each of them for their support and amazing musical talents.