Alan Horvath | Biography

Intro: Heroes & Influences
(click photos for details)

Alan's pre-teen influences start with artists like Perry Como singing "Catch A Falling Star" ... and culminate with favorites like The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.

In his early teens, when he began playing acoustic guitar, Horvath's attention shifted strongly towards folk and blues artists like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger ... Muddy Waters, Leadbelly ... and contemporary singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin, and Richie Havens ... a few years later, the rock & roll influences of acts like The Beatles, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Traffic, Leslie West / Mountain ... and equally important, poets like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Walter Whitman ... all paved major in-roads into Alan's intrinsic nature.

Phase I: The '70s | New York City & Los Angeles

At the early age of 15, with 60 original songs under his belt, Alan Horvath took on the stage-name of "Alan Post" and began his performing career at a local 4-H County Fair in New Jersey where he won 2nd Prize; a handmade classical Garcia guitar. Two short years later he was in Los Angeles, signed as an exclusive artist and performing on a full-time basis.

Coupled with Mark Paladino's passion for producing Alan in the studio, the early events of Horvath's career culminated with a record deal from Columbia / Elektra Records, in 1973.

From Doug Weston's Troubadour and the Pasadena Ice House in L.A. ... to Kenny's Castaways and the Bitter End in New York City ... his performances, coast to coast, were quickly recognized as powerful and insightful displays of an exciting and unique talent.

Phase II: The '80s | Nashville, Tennessee

As Dylan foretold it, the times were indeed changing ... and after some off-topic events completed their course in this artist's life, he appeared on stage with a collection of nine songs based on J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy The Lord of the Rings. In 1980, an unplanned trip to Nashville resulted in a signing with Common Ground Music Group ... a concept album was recorded and a 45 r.p.m. record was released the following year. Fantasy Films wanted it ... David Bowie wanted it ... radio stations and audiences (mostly in the northeast US) got it.
[ DETAILS :: The Aquarian Weekly News Article | 1983 ]

Later, in 1986, Alan took permanent residence in Nashville and worked as a staff writer, studio vocalist and guitarist ... he cowrote songs with the likes of Matraca Berg, Fred Koller, and others - learning the craft of songwriting from Nashville's very best ... he also co-created the Nashville Red Book (a directory of Nashville's music industry) ... and bided his time as disco and punk had their ways with the pop and rock music scenes.

It wasn't until 1993 that he felt ready to reapproach the stage as an acoustic artist, and a memorable performance on January 19th, opening for Deana Carter at Nashville's 12th & Porter artist showcase room, confirmed his readiness.

Phase III: The '90s & Beyond | Home Again In NJ

In late 1993, Horvath returned to his home town in New Jersey, and began performing the underground circuits there, as well as Pennsylvania, and New York City.

In 1996, Alan played writers-in-the-round style, with hit songwriters Steve Dukes, Michael Puryear, and Chris Wall, for the Austin Songwriter's Group - at Stubb's, in Austin, Texas.

After beginning an association with Bill Aucoin, Alan added percussion and cellos to his backup, and dropped the "Alan Post" pseudonymn (for the first time in 30 years) in favor of his birthname ... and, in 1998, Aucoin arranged a signing with Halfmoon Records in Greenwich Village, featuring Alan's artistry on two compilation CDs titled Discover New York City In Music - Volumes 1 & 2

In 1999, AlanHorvath.com was launched on the world wide web and Alan's first Cyber CD titled Busy Being Born was released on his own label - Akashic Records. Alan is now focusing all his energy as an indie artist ... writing, recording, producing his own work and releasing it onto the web.

In 2001, Alan added baritone and teardrop dulcimers, a 36-string F-diatonic custom autoharp, and an octave mandolin to his list of acoustic instruments ... they can all be seen [Here] ... and they can all be experienced by listening to his 'Rings Project CD ... as well as his Kingdom Come CD ... both produced in his home studio; 2003 and 2004.

In 2004, Horvath signed a licensing contract with Radio City Entertainment in New York City for his Lord of the Rings song The Ballad of Tom Bombadil to be featured in the acclaimed documentary film Ringers: Lord of the Fans.

Alan puts it all together into his own unique form of music, self-labeled Acoustic Rock ... for real. Centering all that he does around the singer-songwriter theme ... featuring a stylistic and powerful vocal style, charged by aggressive and concise acoustic guitar playing ... Horvath's shows are equally intimate and inspirational - whether he's performing solo or with his acoustic band.
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Asbury Park Press - Home News Tribune | December 2001