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 Nathan Sanders
was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the year 1968. For many
years music has been a part of his life. His influences range from
church music to country music, to several other styles. His mother
plays piano and organ, while his father, sister, and three
brothers all have musical ability.
"I did not really start playing an instrument until
about the age of 11. I guess I had always picked around on
piano, but when I was about 10 or 11 my oldest brother Mike
started playing guitar. He was in the Air Force at the time,
so when he came home to visit sometimes I would pick around on his
guitar. One time he bought a new guitar and left his old beat up
one at home. I really did not do much with it, yet. Then
my parents went on a trip to Hawaii and brought me back a ukulele.
My brother then bought me a Mel Bay ukulele book and I learned to
play the thing. Not long after, my family was visiting friends.
Their son had a guitar and chord book. I sat down with
those and learned my first guitar chord, an 'E.' Next time
my brother was home I showed him and then he got me started with
some other chords. Pretty soon I was playing the Johnny Cash
song Folsom Prison Blues. Then it was Under the Double
Eagle and Wildwood Flower, followed by some Willie
Nelson and John Denver songs. I guess the rest is music
history."
Nathan became
more interested in piano during 9th grade. Soon after, he picked
up bass as well. It wasn't until about 1992 that Nathan
learned to play mandolin, when he joined the Prairie
Land String Band. "I took a semester of piano my
first year of college. By then I could play piano by ear,
but the lessons were helpful. Mandolin was really fun to
learn. In fact, I learn something new all the time. And it
has really helped playing with an awesome group like Prairie
Land."
Nathan's church home is First
Southern Baptist Church of Del City, Oklahoma. He plays
bass in the church orchestra. Nathan graduated from Christian
Heritage Academy in 1986, and from the University
of Oklahoma in 1991. "Currently I am interested in mostly
acoustic music of several styles. I particularly like string band
music and some bluegrass, and jazz from the 1920's to 1940's.
Some of my favorite artists are Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs, the
Hoosier Hot Shots, Sam Bush, and Tony Rice." Enjoy the Official
Nathan Sanders Web Site. Stay tuned for updates. Tell your friends
about it too. Have a great time!
UPDATE 2002
The month of July of 2002 proved to be a very exciting time for
Nathan. On July 10, 2002, he was asked by Republican leaders to
file as a candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives,
District 93. July 10 was the last day of filing, so the decision
was rather quick. Facing another Republican opponent, the primary
election was August 27th. For about six weeks Nathan, with the
help of many friends, campaigned in the district, walking
door-to-door and meeting the people. It was an exhausting but
rewarding time. As Nathan says, "I had a great time meeting many
new people. It was a learning experience to say the least." While
Nathan did not win the primary election, he did receive 45%
of the vote! That is quite an impressive number, given his
campaign only lasted about six weeks.
UPDATE 2006
Nathan is now also playing with the bluegrass
band Graystone Bluegrass Revival. Check us out here:
Graystone Bluegrass Revival
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