San Diego surfer Alex Woodard had already scored several gigs on television, guest starring on shows like the Love Boat, when he started teaching himself how to play the piano and guitar. The first few chords led to the first few songs, which started to develop their own identity in the shadows of heroes with names like Springsteen, Mellencamp, and Seger. Their story songs of hope and dust and redemption were Alex's first musical memories, floating from the 8-track in his dad's car, and the meeting of rock with roots and country music would prove to be indelible as Alex's influences.
After graduating from UCLA with a degree in business economics, Alex moved across country and worked in Boston's financial district, but music soon called louder than numbers. The following spring he quit his job, packed up his truck, picked up a dog somewhere in Utah, and landed in the vibrant Seattle music landscape where he started playing shows and writing for his first record. He began releasing EPs in the late 90's, and by then local press had begun to take notice, citing his voice and style as "an infectious cross between Springsteen and Vedder" (the Rocket) and "the new breed of Seattle band" (KMTT 103.7FM).
He made a few friends in the scene, including Fountains of Wayne (and former Posies) drummer Brian Young and ex-Posies/Sunny Day Real Estate bassist Joe Bass. The three hooked up with guitarists Abel Ames and Phil Hurley (Gigolo Aunts) and recorded Woodard's first full-length album, "Nowhere Near Here", with Martin Feveyear producing (Screaming Trees, Presidents of the USA). The album was released on Alex's own label in 2000 to enthusiastic reviews and gained airplay on over 60 stations nationally. He hit #2 on the New Music chart at San Diego's infamous 91x and #78 on the commercial AAA charts, the only independent artist to do so. The record showed up in indie films, Abercrombie and Fitch soundtracks, and many restaurant and retail establishments, from Vegas casinos to Home Depot. He signed deals with AEI and MTV, performed at SXSW 2001 as a result of strong sales in Austin, TX, and toured most of the year.
Alex appeared at SXSW again in 2002, and then returned to Seattle to record the second full-length release with his band. "Saturn Returns" was released in September 2002, debuted as the #18 most added CD in the nation to college radio, and has since garnered airplay on more than 90 stations nationwide. Alex spent much of 2003 and 2004 on the road, hitting SXSW again in 2004, and logging studio hours with acclaimed songwriter Pete Droge (now of the Thorns, with Matthew Sweet and Shaun Mullins), who produced Alex's new full-length record, Mile High. Mile High will be released nationwide in mid-2005.
Alex lives in a little beach town north of San Diego, in a little beach house, with two big dogs.
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