J. Dalton McCrary is a native of Murfreesboro, TN, and has been a member of the Tennessee Valley Winds since 1994. His first concert with TVW was in London England performing for the Mayors of London during the Christmas season that year.

Dalton received a Bachelor Degree in Agri-Business from Middle Tennessee State University (1973). During the years at MTSU he played Euphonium and Tuba under the direction of Joe T. Smith and Horace C. Beasley. Before attending MTSU he had been a band member at MTSC Campus School under the direction of Mr. Beasley. He graduated from Murfreesboro Central High with 4 years of band under the direction of Bill Burks, Wayne Pegram and Bob Lee. Euphonium is his major instrument.

Dalton is a Mechanical (Electrical) Engineering Technician with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he has been working since graduating from MTSU. He is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Phi Mu Alpha (professional music fraternity), International Tuba Euphonium Association, The Association of Concert Bands, American Radio Relay League and Quarter Century Wireless Association.

Dalton is married to the former Kelly Whitworth and they have one son, Benjamin. His other hobbies are Amateur Radio (W4WUQ), Photography and being a "Gentleman Farmer".