 Shelton
has played “a little bit of everything at one time or
another” since turning pro at the age of 15, but the
label of “Country & Gospel Sax” feels just fine
to him.
Born in Shreveport,
Louisiana on April 24, 1941, Shelton was introduced to the
Alto Saxophone at the age of 9 by his 4th grade
“traveling music teacher.” “When I came home
and announced to my folks I wanted to learn to play the
saxophone, Mother rode the trolley… they were electric then
…downtown where she bought my first alto in a pawn shop for
$50, then took it to the music store and paid another $25 to
have it overhauled. I played that horn for 6 years before my
folks plunked down $325 for a King Super 20 Alto and I turned
pro at the age of 15 in 1956. I ended up playing that horn for
32 years… until it was stolen in a burglary on the morning
of the day before I was to move to Nashville from Houston,
Texas.”
“I’m actually a product
of the first Rock generation, starting out in the late 50’s
with the Dale Hawkins band. Dale was the writer/artist of
“Suzie Q” and it became a big hit for him on Chess
Records out of Chicago. That band produced some phenomenal
musicians, including James Burton (Elvis’ lead guitar), famed
blues guitarist Roy Buchanan, Billy Sanford (Nashville
“A-Team” studio guitarist), and Joe Osborne (west
coast “premier” studio bassman).
“Straight out of high
school I left Shreveport for Lake Charles, Louisiana where I
met Mickey Gilley and joined his band as his first Sax man. In
1960 Mickey brought me to Houston where we worked the
“Ranch House Club” and did a lot of recording.
Throughout the 60’s I worked with many bands of all types in
Southeast Texas.
“I studied at the
Houston Conservatory of Music and received my Bachelor of
Music degree in 1964, then went into business as an
arranger-conductor-producer. Over the next 20 years I was
involved in just about every facet of the music business. I
had a demo recording studio and got into publishing, artist
management, and finally an entertainment booking agency.
“During the 80’s I got
involved in the world of personal computers and finally came
to Nashville in 1989 to put it all together. I developed a
computer program for music publishers (Music Publishing
Executive) and it has been used by some of the Music Row’s top
publishers.
“I have to say that
1999-2001 with the “Strait Gate” Southern Gospel
group were the most enjoyable and rewarding of all my years
because I was finally playing for the Lord … something I
should have been doing long ago. My first Gospel Sax album,
“Hymns Of The Faith”, launched a solo career which
we are continuing to build with our new project, “Country
Gospel Sax”.
“Music has been in my
blood for many, many years now, and I look forward for every
opportunity to play my horn …whether it be in the studio or
on stage.
“The Lord has indeed
blessed me with my beautiful wife Kathleen, daughter,
daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law, and three wonderful
grandchildren. We are members of Tri-County Baptist Church in
White House.”
Shelton also pursued a long
career in the U.S. Army Reserve and retired in 1994 with the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry. He is truly a
multi-faceted person … but most of all, his soul speaks to
you through his sax.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Shelton Bissell
241 Shady Lane
White House, TN 37188
Phone: (615) 430-7135
FAX: (615) 672-9551
CLICK
HERE To E-Mail Shelton Bissell Directly
|
