Alan Messer has been photographing musicians for five decades. His Country Music and Rock archives are a compelling visual journey through the genres of storied history. Alan’s career began at sixteen in December 1967, working from Dezo Hoffmann's London studio as a freelance, and staff photographer for Record Mirror, a weekly music magazine. Amongst his earliest subjects are John Lennon, George Harrison, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones. During the 1970s, Alan was the resident photographer for The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC TV), where he photographed artists including Roxy Music, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and Ry Cooder. He also toured briefly with Iggy Pop and Deep Purple and photographed many visiting touring American bands and artists, either in his London studio or on the road, including David Bowie in Philadelphia. Excited by America and its music, Alan moved to Nashville in 1978 to open a studio. An amazing opportunity to photograph the Country Music scene unfolded as his British style of photography attracted musicians, record companies and the legendary artist, Johnny Cash. Alan photographed album cover images for iconic musicians, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Tanya Tucker, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle, Merle Haggard, Joe Ely, and many more. He also won a Grammy in 1988 for “Album Packaging” photography for the Country duo, The O'Kanes. Alan continues to pursue his passion for photography, capturing contemporary music history in the making, as well as landscapes and cultural events in Nashville and beyond.