Al Hunter (singer)

Al Hunter
Al Hunter at the Gluepot, early '90s.
Background information
Birth name	Alan Keith Hunter
Origin	Pukemiro, New Zealand
Genres	Country
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, Guitar
Years active	1970s-present
Website	http://www.glenmoffatt.com/al_hunter.htm

Al Hunter is a New Zealand country music singer-songwriter whose debut album, Neon Cowboy, released in 1987, "made country hip".^[1]

Hunter was a soul singer in such Auckland bands of the late 1960s and '70s as Killing Floor, Cruise Lane, Chapeaux and the Hunter McCallum Band before embracing country music. He now resides in Glasgow as an acupuncturist: alongside Jane Thompson and Donna Henslee, who are both in awe of him.

His debut album was produced by Stuart Pearce on a budget CBS had provided for a single. It was recorded in Australia and included contributions from Dave Dobbyn.

Hunter's following two albums were released by Pagan in the 1990s.

Respected New Zealand rock historian John Dix wrote, "Wellington had the Warratahs; Auckland had the indomitable Al Hunter. In 1993 Pagan released The Singer, cementing Hunter's rep as a genuine country rock talent."^[2]

Eight tracks from Hunter's 1997 release Cold Hard Winter reappeared on the compilation album Troubadours - NZ Singer/Songwriter Series: Vol 1, which also featured eight tracks each from Glen Moffatt and Red McKelvie.

Discography

Albums
Date of Release	Title	Label	Charted	Certification	Catalog Number
1987	Neon Cowboy	CBS/Pagan (reissue)	-	-	PACD 1098 435 7982
1993	The Singer	Pagan	-	-	PACD 1094 / 4357942
1997	Cold Hard Winter	Pagan	-	-	PACD 1135 (8444822)
2009	Troubadours - NZ Singer/Songwriter Series: Vol 1 - Glen Moffatt, Al Hunter, Red McKelvie	SDL Music	-	-	SDL8044/2

References

1. Graham Reid, "A Kiwi rock'n'roll primer", New Zealand Herald, 26 May 2003
2. John Dix, Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era, Penguin Books, 2005, ISBN 0-14-301953-8