Singer/songwriter from Victoria, BC.
Climb aboard the Wayback Machine, follow the links on my timeline to experience the journey, and follow me on Soundcloud to hear some songs. Downloads, special offers and more coming soon, so visit the Contact page to get in the loop and bookmark my Facebook for more updates.
Alan Katowitz photo
Like so many other songwriters, I got my hands on my first guitar in high school. It was the 1970s, and there was an embarrassment of riches on the airwaves: Beatles, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, CSNY, Chicago, Rolling Stones, The Guess Who, John Mayall, Chilliwack, BTO, Santana, The Byrds, Eric Burdon, Simon + Garfunkel, Motown, and some incredible singer / songwriters: Bruce Cockburn, Bob Dylan, Murray McLaughlin, Fred Neil, Randy Newman, John Prine, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Judy Collins, Neil Young, Tom Rush, Joan Baez, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell.
I immediately fell in love with Joni with her amazing tunings and deep, soul searching lyrical poetry. She is the gold standard in terms of masterful songwriting and fearless creative expression, and probably my greatest inspiration as a storyteller.
The photo above was taken during my first open mic experience in a seedy club called the New Delhi Cabaret in Vancouver way back when.
I made the bus trip to the downtown east side with my guitar in a green plastic garbage bag because I didn’t own a guitar case. Two or three loyal buddies came along for moral support that first night.
It was exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. A short (and shaky) set of Joni, Neil Young and CSNY covers was all I had to offer, but after that I was hooked. I chose the life of a performer and never looked back.
Jamming on the beach, Portugal 1969
Dad and The Hogan Sisters (a.k.a. jamming with Big Bro)
Grizzly House, Banff 1970
With Big Sis in 1972.
I borrowed her dulcimer to write my first song
Stay tuned for my CD Songs from the Third Act.The title is inspired by Jane Fonda’s TED talk about the riches to be found in the last stage of our lives. The journey’s not over yet!
alisonhogan.com 