While there have been many changes in the musical landscape over the past 20 years, possibly the most important shift hasn’t been in the way music is delivered to a listener. Instead, the shift has been that age is no longer a barrier to getting music heard or to building an all-ages fan base. For a growing number of artists, it’s never too late to get on stage. Such is the case with guitarist Alan Land, who performs at Winston’s on April 1. A long-time resident of the Bay Area, Land arrived in San Diego circa 1998. Though he now considers music to be a major part of his life, his introduction to performing was less than serious. “I played in a talent show at 10 years old, mostly as a joke,” Land said of his 1961 public debut. “My only ‘repertoire’ was two Kingston Trio songs, but I was hooked on the stage.” His first instrument wasn’t guitar, but he switched quickly at age 10. “My first instrument was symphonic bass,” Land said. “The guitar was down to portability and individuality. I had been singing from a very early age, so it was a natural accompaniment to my voice.” His reason for playing solo was just as pragmatic. “Bands take more organization than I normally have the patience for,” he said. “That said, I really enjoy collaboration with other players who can improvise.” Land played music at venues throughout the Western States, but only released a pair of tracks, “Tent City” and “Calif. I.O.U.” on a 1983 compilation album. “They are political folk songs, which, interestingly enough, are appropriate once again today,” he said. “I am playing them again.” Meanwhile, Land gave up performing until a road trip to Arizona last year. “I went to Phoenix for Major League Baseball spring training last season,” Land explained. “My host, a long time friend, had digitized an old demo tape of mine from my days entertaining in Lake Tahoe 25 years ago. He asked if I was still playing.” Land replied no, having not performed in nearly a decade. “My friend responded something about ‘retirement being the last chance to do something you really love,’” Land said. The offhand remark sparked Land back into action. “I took that recording home, taught myself how to record and edit with computer software, found some open mics and have been playing every day since,” Land said. “My friend will remain nameless, but is singularly responsible for my deciding to sing again.” He also credits “the great young people I have met at those open mics who have also inspired me to ‘keep going.’” Though Land performs his own material, he’s become known for a large and eclectic set of hundreds of cover tunes. He said the songs of the ’60s and ’70s in particular still resonate heavily with area music fans. “The purity of the message, as in the ’60s, combined with stronger musicianship, is a good combination for durability,” Land said. His repertoire actually goes back to the 1940s for folk standards, with touches of jazz and country. But it’s the singer-songwriters who get the biggest play. “I know about half of Jim Croce’s portfolio and about three dozen Paul Simon tunes, but what I play depends on the crowd,” Land said. “I usually mix it up pretty well unless an audience steers me into a certain genre.” While Land said he enjoys all aspects of the local music scene, he “likes open mics, but I think there are just too many of them run by people who do not understand sound engineering. They’re starting to be like Karaoke bars and the level of quality is suffering from that.” He prefers showcase events like this event, featuring six artists playing short sets. “Two or three songs is just not enough for a really good player,” Land said. “They need to take some time to develop the audience’s imagination.” For more information, visit www.listenlocalsd.com