Alex Winston

Alexandra Lee Winston (born September 28, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist from Detroit area Michigan who has performed with a menagerie of musicians of different genres, including Chuck Berry, Miranda Lambert, The Wreckers, Love Arcade, Electric Six, We Are The Fury, [http://www.thesatinpeaches.com/ The Satin Peaches] , Uncle Kracker, Everclear and Ted Nugent.

Biography

Winston was born and raised in Michigan and exposed to various musical instruments at an early age. Her father, Steve Winston, was a musician himself and taught her how to use a drumset before she could even walk [ [http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/article_2734.shtml Real Detroit Weekly - Alex Winston ] ] . Both her father and mother were continually supportive of her musical aspirations while they watched her write and compose her own music. In school, Winston was enrolled in choir classes, studied opera and took private voice lessons with Rita Jury, a frequent performer at the Detroit Opera House.

Music career

Early career

While finishing high school at Andover High School (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan), Winston began working with musical brothers, Drew and Chris Peters. The songwriting team was nominated for a Grammy Award for their work with the Black Eyed Peas in 2005 and also began their own successful recording company [http://www.40ozsound.com/ 40 oz. Sound] based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Soon after her work with the Peters brothers, Winston joined fellow Michigander Ted Nugent on his national tour in 2007, performing at famed venues including the Nokia Theatre Times Square and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee (former host of the Grand Ole Opry).

Influences and Style

Because Winston was raised in the musically rich Motor City, her influences extend to both local and national artists. She lists [http://www.thesatinpeaches.com/ the Satin Peaches] as one of her favorite local bands, hailing frontman George Morris. When asked to describe her own style, Winston has difficulty narrowing down her eclectic style, saying "I just went to see Little Richard a few weeks ago and have loved his music for a long time. My dad had Yes and Heart records playing all of the time. I also love Sheryl Crow and other female vocalists like PJ Harvey and Sarah Mcleod. So I guess in some weird way, my music sounds like all of that crammed together...except for maybe Yes." [ [http://www.thedetroiter.com/b_music/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=interview_with_teenaged_rocker_alex_wins&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Music - Interview with Teenaged Rocker Alex Winston ] ] . Winston also considers The Faces, Sam Cooke, Lenny Kravitz as major influences, "depending on the song" [ [http://myspace.com/alexwinston MySpace.com - Alex Winston - Michigan - Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/alexwinston ] ] .

Discography

Winston released her first EP with [http://www.40ozsound.com/ 40 oz. Sound] in 2007, entitled "Alex Winston: By The Roots". The EP displays her unique style that has been hailed as "femininely-charged Pop Rock" [ [http://www.thedetroiter.com/b_music/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=interview_with_teenaged_rocker_alex_wins&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Music - Interview with Teenaged Rocker Alex Winston ] ] and features the tracks "Misunderestimate Me," "Waiting Game," "High Hopes," "He Calls You Baby," "Crossing Your Mind" and "Hello."

References