Web site highlights ‘Aussie' tunes, Alaska musical talent

November 27, 2005

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - Imagine getting 30-second sound bites of authentic country music like Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Pride or Willie Nelson coming straight from Australia. Imagine Alaska musicians having the opportunity to perform for crowds from Down Under. Imagine the CD sales of little-known talent rivaling the music coming out of Nashville.

That is entrepreneur Bruce Walden's most fervent wish.

&#8220Nashville did what it did, and it's dead. Branson did what it did, and it's died, too. It's Alaska's turn. We've been shoved aside for years and years, and it's time. Alaska is bubbling over with talent. I want to promote these people and totally blast by Nashville. I'm not even going through Nashville. I can say, ‘You missed the boat on this one, bub,'” Walden said during a recent phone interview.

Currently, Walden highlights between 25 and 30 stars on his Web site. When he hyper-links with musician Shaza Leigh's Web page later this month, Web browsers will have access to more than 100 musicians from Australia and New Zealand, Walden said.

By promoting these musicians, Walden makes money from CD sales, he said.

Walden's years in the military provided him many opportunities to travel to different countries, he said. Then, after his retirement in 2001, he traveled around to strengthen his connections with the music world.

&#8220I'm a career soldier. When the guys from my team were drinking beer and getting crazy, I would go check out the music scene because I'm not a drinker,” he said.

Those evening spent listening to performers created a network of musicians from all over.

He met a pop star from India named Anaida when he was stationed in Uzbekistan. While in Australia, he met Leigh and was invited to her home, where the two became friends, he said. In New South Wales, he met Tamika's manager and Ronnie Ray Rivers. During the Calgary Stampede, Walden hung out with Tracy Millar, whose music is catching on all over the country, he said.

The country music originating from Down Under has the same flavor as the old-time country music Walden listened to when he was growing up.

&#8220Country isn't just about the music. In Australia, it's a way of life. Slim Dusty, who died a couple of years ago, was a huge legend. His music is fabulously popular and all about roping and riding,” Walden said. &#8220Alaska still understands what country is. We have rural roots that we're not ashamed of. I think this music will be popular if people had a chance to hear it.”

One of the musicians Walden is backing through his Web site is Valley resident Kenny Peltier, who performs at the Alaska State Fair and local drinking establishments. Peltier already has a following in the Last Frontier, and Walden hopes the Web site will increase that fan base.

&#8220The industry isn't interested in what people want to hear. The industry tells people what they should like. That's an insult to our intelligence and our taste as well,” Walden said.

Check out the Web site, www.waldocountry.com.

&#8220Alaska is very fortunate because they're funneling great musicians. I'm fortunate to get my foot in the door,” Walden said.

Contact Dawn De Busk at 352-2252 or dawn.debusk@

frontiersman.com.