Alexander's Real Time Band:

I just posted the video for our original tune 'Suspend Disbelief' to the music page of they site. I've decided to dedicate it to the Occupy Wall Street protesters. Read and/or listen to the lyrics of this song and you'll understand why. Feel free to post you comment here regarding how your opinions about the protests. And feel free to share this link to the song.... http://www.alexandersrealtimeband.com/music-15.html 
Mr. Roberts was a big bank president..dreaming of his golden parachute ..Either through rising stocks or a gub'ment bailout ..Don't get jealous cause that's only half the truth ..We've been payin' his taxes ..and to make matters worse ..that parachute won't save him ..You never see a UHaul behind a hearse

Montana.... Big Country!
By train, it just seems to go on forever. Lots of time to contemplate. This trip is primarily about family. But I have also made a decision to bring music to all aspects of my life. So there will be interactive solo performances for friends, family and what every audiences I can find on the trip.
When I first began performing as Alexander's Real Time Band, about five years ago, it was a solo act. The shows were all interactive and the audience was the 'band' in 'real time'. That's where the name came from (that and the reference to the famous song, 'Alexander's Ragtime Band', credited to Irving Berlin but probably written by Scott Joplin).
Over the years, I have been blessed to attract other musicians to my original songbook. First Sarah on drums, then Whit on strings, most recently, Susan on keyboards ( and a host of other guest players as well ). But on this trip I will be taking things back to the roots of ARTB.
I am traveling solo by train but carrying my guitar, [...]

I haven't posted to this blog in awhile. I was thinking of removing it from the site but just changed my mind. Blogs can be useful after all. What better way to get feedback from ARTB fans (other than a live show)? 

So I have a couple of questions for you. Your answer will help us make some decision about how to release and distribute the upcoming 'Remain in Light' album.

Valentine's Day was an eye opener for me. The holiday itself is usually a non event as far as I am concerned (even though I am a hopeless romantic:-) but, this year, it just happened to be the day that about 30 or so Portland musicians and songwriters got together and volunteered their time and talents to support Artichoke Music (the music store) and Artichoke Backgate Stage (the performance venue behind the store). The event was called Give your Heart to Artichoke. And so we did.  
I never cease to be amazed how vibrant, diverse, inclusive and supportive the music community is in this town. Both the musicians and the audiences give their all to support the scene here. That doesn't happen everywhere and we are blessed to have that kind of community here in Portland.  
Another example of this is the new radio station KZME.FM scheduled to begin broadcasting this year.  KZME will feature only local/regional music. Imagine a station that plays only the music created [...]

I guess it's only natural that the custom of New Year's resolutions has earned iconic stature in our culture. 'In with the new out with the old', as they say. And what better time than the start of a new year (and decade). But wait! Some of the old might be worth keeping.

About 10 years ago I was finally able to distill the priorities in my life into 3 categories: Health, Family and Music. What a relief! Now the resolutions are simple.

1. Take good care of myself (physically and spiritually)

2. Treat every moment with my loved ones as though it might be the last time I get to be with them (it might).

3. Respect the gift of music that I have been given and share it with as many folks as possible.

And so it has been for a few New Years now. The details change but the general spirit of my resolutions are the same.

I am now adding one more to the list: SIMPLIFY. Time to start getting rid of some STUFF. This is the year I take a hard look at the excesss and waste in my life. Not just [...]