Alan Cost

It’s in the bloodline-like vampirism. MUSIC! From my great grandfather, grandpa and dad on through to my son. We’ve all played and sang for people and made some decent jack doing it along the way. My father came really close to making it. His first record was collaborated with Bill Black, Elvis Presley’s original standup or "doghouse" bassist and recorded a single on Bill’s label, Lyn-Lou in Memphis. He appeared on Grant Turner’s Grand Ole’ Opry radio show and Ralph Emery’s show with legends Waylon Jennings and Eddie Rabbit. In the 70s he had singles on jukeboxes and on local radio stations all over Arkansas. He currently does a daily webcast at roycost.com and plays music on the weekends.Being raised around music, I had access to drumsets, pianos and guitars at birth and started playing along with the stereo on Momma Helen’s pots and pans along to Arkansas native Joe Stampley’s band "The Uniques" at age 3 and was "forced fingered"(hah hah) to learn Fats Domino songs by my dad at 4. By 7th grade I joined up with Kevin Bass of Conway and started what became "AXIS", a band that played Rush and other hard rock group cover songs at Conway "High" senior parties and local venues like "DirtDobber Hill" and "Robert Norris’ pasture". FF to 1986 and I begin a lifelong friendship/kinship with "The Bartleys"...Kevin and Jay. Along with a revolving door of singers and players we’ve played together over twenty years off and on at some of the best and worst places imaginable. Nashville, Liberal Kansas, Greenwood Texas, Sykeston Missouri and every major live country music venue in Arkansas including the legendary BJ’s StarStudded Honkytonk (including the 1990 Marlboro Music Talent Roundup (2nd place in regional), Joe’s Big Bamboo, The Hollywood Club and North 40..and on flatbed trailers in the middle of nowhere for 3000 screaming rednecks, at VFWs with slobbering drunk brother-in-laws flipping their enormous genitalia out on the dance floor, Democratic Conventions, Duck Rodeos, county fairs, state fairs(1993 Colgate/TruValue contest 2nd again), flings and affairs, etc."Getting my gurp on" came on with Soulcake, a dance/funk band I played drums and sang for from around 2000-2004 with local prodigies Jay Moix, Michael Velte and Mark Manning. We only played about 15 gigs but we played damn good. Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Kool and the Gang, etc. were our staples...and we loved it.I now have the privilege of sharing the stage with Sharpe Dunaway and the Blue Meanies (hopefully soon to be named something short like "Dirt" or "Wig"...I’d even go for DUNAWAY). This is definitely the best band I’ve ever been with and it’s been an awesome ride. Opening up for Bret Michaels at Toadsuck Daze 2007 was my biggest gig so far (estimated 6000 people), and that was in the first quarter...second quarter we opened for Alice Cooper at Riverfront Park.... Personal thanks to my friend Randy Thorn for helping me see the light. I owe ya, bro!I have resumed playing with Southern Express and welcome Danny Milsaps in to front the band. Randy will also make it back for some gigs ’cause it’s like the mob...you never get out alive! I also write and record original songs of various genres. A BIG ups to all the Blue Meanie fans that continue to support us.In my real world life, I work for Snap-On tools, raising my son Jordan.