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Today's Featured Biography
Bruce Fallgren
Bruce Fallgren was born in 1946 in Dickinson, North Dakota. He attended a catholic school until the third grade, and moved to Oregon at age 10. Bruce received outstanding athlete award in 1961. He worked on a 20 acre irrigated farm, with 5,000 chickens, 100 head of sheep, two cows and a horse.
Bruce moved to Oregon in 1956 at ten years of age. His family bought a twenty acre irrigated farm where they raised five thousand chickens, two cows, two pigs, one hundred head of sheep, and a horse. Bruce practiced his singing to the radio, while working in the chicken barns. He was encouraged to pick up a guitar, while in the second grade, by his teacher. She recognized his natural talent to sing. Dollars were tight with 8 children in the family so Bruce sang without a guitar until he graduated from high school. While in grade school and high school, Bruce accelerated in basketball, football, track, and wrestling lettering in all four sports. Upon graduation from high school, he went to Valdez, Alaska accepting a job with the Army Corps of Engineers. It was while he was in Alaska at the age of nineteen that Bruce picked up a guitar for the first time in his life! He was too young to go to the bars with the other workers, so he stayed home while the others went out. It was during that "alone" time that Bruce wrote his first song "Destiny". The inspiration came from the songs, "Jesse James" and "The Shifting, Whispering Sands." The only problem with learning to play the guitar, was that Bruce is left handed, and the guitar was strung for a right handler, so Bruce learned to play right handed.
He graduated from high school in 1965 lettering in track, Football, and Wrestling.
Bruce entered the Army in 1965 in the armored division. in Oregon.
Bruce moved back to NorthDakota in1966 after spending the Summer in Alaska, for the Army Corps Of Enginiers. helping to lay out the new township for Valdez Alaska.
Worked for grandfather at Bogner Implement in Dickinson.
1967 while working in the Army National Guard of N> DAk. prior to basic training,
went to Zap North Dakota for a riot there. Prior to e Ken State. ammunition and bayonette fixed on rifleÉ.M1 also went to basic training too after.
1968 attend ÒHanson Mechanical Trade school, and Massey Ferguson closed and open centered hydraulic systems.
1969 got married and moved to Fort Collins Co. worked for 2 years at Allis Chalmers, Oliver dealership.
1970 moved to Wyoming and worked for 2 Bar Ranch 143,000 acre ranch. as shop foreman and mechanic.
1971 worked for Lock Trucking as shop Foreman, and went into business for myself in Fallgren Repair, in Wheatland Wy. for 10 years..
Went through divorce and went into active duty for a2 years 1981-1983
1983-1993 worked a various jobs in out electric, shop mechanic for trucking co. mechanic for out dealerships, roofing, manager and head technician for apartments.
1994-2004 worked as traveling musician and various other types of part time work, including rebuilding washers, and dryers, air conditioning repair, and auto repairs.
Bruce Curtis Fallgren retired from the military in 1991 after 22 years of service. He served as a combat engineer, production controller, and musician, in the 67th Army Band.
BRUCE SHOWCASED HIS MATERIAL IN THE USA SONGWRITING SHOWCASE @ BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC @ 10225 Research Blvd, Austin, TX. Borders is stocking his Compact Disks for distribution.
IN 2004 Bruce Curtis Fallgren took second in the Nations National Veterans Arts & Crafts Festival in the Country
Western Division. WILLIE NELSON'S SONG: "BLUE EYES CRYING IN THE RAIN"
In 2005 Bruce Curtis Fallgren took second in the Nations National Veterans Arts & Crafts Festival in the country western Division. the Marty Robbins song: "Don't Worry About Me"
In 2014 Bruce Curtis Fallgren and Mark Stafford took first in the nation, with the ventures song; ÒWipe-outÓ.
BRUCE BELIEVES IN BACKING HIS COUNTRY, HIS FLAG, AND FREEDOM.
OUR SOLDIERS.... ARE CURRENTLY DYING.... TO HELP PRESERVE THIS RIGHT.
FREEDOM:
[[("MAY WE NEVER FORGET THE COST OF LIVES PRESERVING THIS RIGHT!!!]] GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
Bruce was born in Dickinson, North Dakota. His father Curtis Fallgren was born in Almont, North Dakota. Bruce's Grandfather, Carl Fallgren, occasionally played guitar and fiddle with Lawrence Welk, in barn dances in North and South Dakota. Bruce always had a love for music and was greatly influenced by singers Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Eddy Arnold, Merle Haggard, Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley, Johnny Horton, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Sonny James, Kenny Rogers, Conway Twitty, Roger Miller, Peter Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, and many other singers he admired.
When Bruce got back from Alaska, he enlisted in the Army Reserve as a Combat Engineer. He continued his service, while working as a mechanic for his Grandfather in Dickinson, North Dakota. He went to a mechanical trade college in Fargo, North Dakota. He finished his schooling there and went to his basic training course in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. He completed his basic training course, and finished his advanced training course simultaneously. His Combat Engineer course was completed within six months. He advanced rapidly and soon became a Specialist, then a Staff Sergeant. Bruce stayed in the combat engineers for over ten years, and then transferred into an Army Band Unit, where he became one of three lead vocalists,in the country group. The Country Band, in the beginning, consisted of Mark Stafford, vocalist, lead guitarist, flute, and saxophone player. Chuck Riker, bass player, and Kathy Sabo, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and drummer. Mark Stafford greatly influenced Bruce's life. He was an inspiration that Bruce will never forget. To this day, they are the best of friends. Mark is so talented, and he did a splendid job backing Bruce, himself, and Kathy, with his great musical talents. As time progressed, the band was varied with other members: Gill Prato(drummer), Carol Jones (keyboards and trumpet), and Ed Fowler(drummer). (AN INTERESTING FACT;) Bruce was told that his job in the country group was to sing.(ONLY) Bruce was told that "HIS INSTRUMWENT" was his great voice. This was hard for Bruce to accept. He would often play, with his guitar unplugged, or the volume all the way off. Elvis Presley had been treated in the same way. Elvis was told that his guitar playing lacked a certain quality, but that his voice was exceptional. Bruce got into his niche, and sang his heart out. Bruce also played tuba in the marching and concert band. He now amazes some of his old army buddies, with his advanced guitar playing skills.
It was during this time that Bruce went on active duty for two years in an aviation unit in Cheyenne Wyoming. He worked as a Production Controller, and T-42 Crew Chief. This was a two-year tour, and after that was completed, Bruce re-enlisted with the 67th Army Band. While in the 67th Army Band, Bruce wrote four more songs; "Whiskey Horses and Games", "Marjorie", "My Dearest Love", and "The Savior's Always There"("Something Was Missing In My Life"} inspired by his divorce in 1980. This was a very tough time for Bruce. Pain, loss of family, love, and sorrow, inspired all three of these songs.
Bruce has worked as a soldier, mechanic, roofer, welder, plumber, fabricator, entertainer, and farm hand. He has done a little of everything. He has five sisters, and two brothers. He is kindhearted, loving, and honest. The people in his life love him very much. Bruce has traveled across the United States, playing and performing his music in various clubs and towns. He has performed before very small, and very large crowds, including, Mt Rushmore, Louisville, Denver, Portland, Austin, and many clubs throughout the U.S. The "gig" he enjoys the most is the Labor Day Parade, he performs in Louisville, Colorado. He has performed the Labor Day event there for over thirteen years with crowds exceeding ten thousand people. Bruce delivers his music with emotion and power.
Bruce is now residing in Kyle, Texas. He is playing music, and promoting his CD. He has been supporting various groups, and foundations, performing many times for free. He enjoys bringing cheer and happiness into the lives of the people he touches. Feel free to contact Bruce via his e-mail link. He is open to helping people, and promoting events that help people.
This CD was recorded in G-Com Studio, in Gulfport Mississippi. The lead guitarist and fiddle player, is a Colorado Country "Hall of Fame" Recipient, JERRY LADNER. He is one of Bruce's closest friends. Jerry's abilities have contributed greatly to the success of this album. LEO LADNER, the mixing engineer, previously played bass guitar for JERRY LEE LEWIS.
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