Album Notes

In the mood for romance? Dan Shelton's soft Latin guitar rhythms provide the perfect background for a romantic evening or a calming interlude. A combination of Brazilian-style jazz and easy listening, Sheltons's ten original compositions showcase his considerable talent on the guitar as well as his ability to compose and arrange a beautiful ear-pleasing mix.

Dan Shelton began his professional music career at the age of fifteen when he formed his first country-western band in high school. Later, he played with Glen Campbell at Albuquerque's Hitching Post. Dan's country band, The Westernaires, played as warm-up band for such Grand ol' Opry stars as Sonny James, Elton Britt, and Johnny Cash. By the time he entered the Navy, his band was featured entertainment for the captain's parties. He backed up singers Vickie Carr and Mary Lou Shaw and played in clubs in numerous foreign ports. He learned many of the fingerstyle techniques of Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed.

While working in Central and South America, Dan became interested in the Brazilian rhythms of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Sergio Mendez, and began learning a variety of Latin and classical pieces.

Returning to Albuquerque, he studied classical guitar at the University of New Mexico under Hector Garcia. He has written and copyrighted several collections of guitar pieces.

He has played at clubs and lounges all across the continental U.S. and Hawaii, including frequent engagements at the Sheraton Hotel on Kauai.

During all this, he also had a 36-year career as a helicopter pilot, flying throughout the United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Central and South America. He flew Med-a-Vac helicopters for various Hospital programs in the Southwest and was a long line precision pilot fighting forest fires through out the Southwest until his recent retirement from flying.

His current projects include the production of his own digitally mastered CDs, which will include his favorite pieces and some of his own work.

Dan plays a variety of styles, from popular "easy listening" tunes to extremely complex flamenco and classical music. His own original compositions can best be described as easy-listening romantic guitar with a Latin flair. Soft Latin Nights was his first recording featuring ten original pieces.