Generation Gap Bios

Alan Alder- Keyboards and Vocals
Alan Alder is a contract faculty member of the School of Music at Ball State University, and serves as Producer/Director of the University Singers. Prior to his appointment at BSU, Alder worked as Director of Choral Activities at Anderson High School in Anderson, Indiana where he conducted the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, The AHS Festival Chorus, as well as The Singers Unlimited and Class Act, two nationally ranked show choirs. In 2007, Alder was named Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Men's Chorus. Alder holds two BME degrees from Indiana State University in Instrumental and Choral Education, and an MM in Choral Conducting from Ball State University. He is currently a candidate for the doctor of arts degree in choral conducting from Ball State University. Mr. Alder is a sought after adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor and arranger for choirs and bands throughout the nation. He also maintains an active schedule as a performer, which includes engagements with Generation Gap, a well-known band in central Indiana. Alan Alder also serves on the Board of Directors for the Celebration Entertainment Academy in La Verne, CA.

Cory Alder- Lead Vocals and Drums
At 32 years of age, Cory has been playing the drums and singing for 27 years now. He has had the great pleasure of playing with the likes of The Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, Ball State University Singers, Anderson Singers Unlimited, The Bridge Worship Team, local band Byaxident, and also including a performance at The Grand Ole Opry. He is inspired musically by his brother Alan Alder, Carter Beauford, Kenny Arnoff, Keith Urban, and his fellow band mates of Generation Gap to name a few.

Douglas Dole- Lead Guitar and Vocals
At forty-two years old, Doug is the eldest member of Generation Gap.   Doug began playing guitar when he was thirteen, after a failed attempt at playing drums.  He joined his first band in high school.  As a student at Anderson University, he went on to play in various bands, both country and rock.  Doug has played guitar and led contemporary worship at North Anderson Church of God.  He currently plays lead guitar at the Bridge Community Church.  Much of Doug’s musical inspiration has come from musicians such as Jef Furr, James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and the other members of Generation Gap, including his two older sons.

Harrison Dole- Rhythm guitar, drums, acoustic guitar, vocals
Harrison is sixteen years old.  His love of music started at a very early age.  As a baby, he would watch and listen to his dad play guitar.  At two and a half, he began playing drums.   Since the age of eight, Harrison has been playing percussion, drums and guitar in the adult contemporary worship bands at North Anderson Church of God and the Bridge Community Church.  He just started his third year as the guitar player in his local high school’s jazz band. Musically, Harrison has been inspired by the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Aaron Gillespie and Tico Torres, the other members of Generation Gap, and most importantly, his dad, and his younger brother.

Wilson Dole- Bass Guitar
At just twelve years old, Wilson is the youngest member of Generation Gap.  As a baby, Wilson was immersed in music, as he watched his dad play guitar and his older brother, Harrison, play drums.  At seven years old, he decided that he wanted to play bass guitar.  Since the age of eight, he has played percussion and bass guitar in the adult contemporary worship bands at North Anderson Church of God and the Bridge Community Church.  He recently started his second year on bass in his local high school jazz band.  His inspirations include bassists Grant Brandell and Pat Seals and the other members of Generation Gap, especially his dad and his older brother.

Shanda Smith- Lead Vocals
Shanda started singing when she was very little in church with  her mom.  By the age of 15, she was in a band and singing every weekend.  When she was 17 she moved to Tennessee to do what she loved to do.  She performed  there for 9 years in numerous shows.  She even got to perform a few shows at Christmas time with Dolly Parton herself.  She moved back to Indiana  and performed in another band for a couple of years before joining Generation Gap! God is Shanda’s  number one inspiration.  Her three wonderful sons are the drive for everything she does, and they motivate her to be the best she can be. Shanda’s musical inspirations are Reba, Carrie Underwood, and Pink. Shanda feels blessed to be able to perform with Generation Gap. She feels honored to be a part of this extremely talented group.