David Alford

Ben David Alford (born December 20, 1964) is an American actor, playwright, and author, best known for portraying Bucky Dawes on the television series Nashville. Early life Alford was born and raised in Adams, Tennessee on his family's farm. His parents were Ben Robert Alford, a minister, and Sheridan (Durham). Alford attended Jo Byrns High School in nearby Cedar Hill, and then went for two years to Martin Methodist College in Pulaski. He next transferred to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. At APSU he was originally a vocal performance major, but switched to the theatre program. Acting When playwright Arthur Kopit was visiting APSU as an artist in residence, he noticed Alford's acting talent and arranged for him to audition for the Juilliard School drama program. Alford did so, and was accepted to the program. After spending a few years in New York upon graduation from Juilliard, Alford moved back to Tennessee and founded Mockingbird Theatre in Nashville. He was artistic director of this theatre from 1994 to 2004, when he accepted the position of artistic director for Tennessee Repertory Theatre. He held this position until 2007, but spent an additional year at Tennessee Rep as an artist-in-residence.