Alan Chastain was born on July 16, 1953 in Gaston County, NC, the fifth of six of Warren and Aileen Chastain's children. He was named after Alan Ladd and his parents hoped he would carry with him some of Mr. Ladd's charm and charisma. Despite the family's meager income, Warren (a banjo picker) saw to it that Alan had a guitar by the age of 12. Family finances prohibited music lessons so Warren applied relentless pressure to ensure Alan learned to play music. While Alan doesn't read music, he plays by ear and to quote him, "by just feeling the music".

As a small child, Alan recalls awakening on Saturday mornings to the music of Flatt & Scruggs and Stonewall Jackson blaring on the family's record player. Besides his father, these musical geniuses were Alan's inspiration. One of Alan's fondest memories was getting to meet Marty Raybon, whom he had always admired for the enthusiasm Marty exhibited in his vocals.

Alan has captured the same intense feeling heard in the voices of many big-named stars and sings his music without any lacking in enthusiasm. His unique guitar picking style includes hard-driving up-strumming that leaves fans in awe. He has played local venues with The Grace Quartet and a country group called Wild Country. In 2000, he joined his brothers, Ronnie and Odell and formed Shady Creek, a traditional Bluegrass band. They recorded a CD called "Sittin' On Top of the World". In 2003, at the Cherokee Jamboree in Andrews, NC, the band met Jody Prince. They  formed The Shady Creek Outlaws. After the break-up of the OUTLAWS Alan and Ronnie decided to get back to the ROOTS of ENTERTAINING and went back to SHADY CREEK.

Alan's large stature and "teddy bear" heart contribute to the stage presence of Shady Creek. He says he is inspired by his fellow musicians to create that special bluegrass sound they have mastered. Having recently left a lifetime of construction and heavy equipment operating, finding a career in music is his goal.