While it would be nice if life could consist of all bluegrass, all the time, that’s definitely not the reality for most musicians. In their off time, many bluegrass musicians have other careers, often somehow related to the music business. James Alan Shelton, longtime guitar player for Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, is one of those musicians. From his home in Church Hill, TN, he makes Shelton Instrument Straps.
Numerous bluegrass musicians use Shelton’s straps, which are custom made to the player’s specifications. Those who wear Shelton Straps include J.D. Crowe, Larry Sparks, Ralph Stanley, Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, and Pete Wernick. Straps can come in one of several colors, and with several designs. My personal favorite is the mahogany colored strap, with a basket weave design, which Shelton says is also his most popular combination.
I recently had the chance to visit with Shelton in his shop, where he showed me how his straps are made.
For more information, visit Shelton’s website at www.jamesalanshelton.com.
