Alan Munde has blazed a trail as one of the most innovative and influential banjo players of all time, from his apprenticeship with Jimmy Martin to his 21-year stint with Country Gazette. Alan taught from 1986 to 2007 at the Bluegrass and Country Music Program at South Plains College in Levelland, TX, and has supplemented his recorded work with several instructional publications. He performed and recorded with his South Plains faculty colleague (and former Gazette-mate) Joe Carr. His extensive body of recorded work, instructional materials, and work at South Plains has solidified his status as one of the gurus of the 5-string.