A Bavarian X-Mas

Whether or not you saw the show in Oktoberfest, you’ll want to check this one out!

Wurstfest rocks and more importantly Polkas!

Thanks again to everyone that came out to New Braunfels Wurstfest this year. As always, it’s one of Alex’s favorite gigs of the year because the audiences are so enthusiastic…. Hope we’re back next year for the 50th anniversary!

A lot of pictures and videos have been posted online at you tube and on facebook…. Please tag Alex Meixner and the Alex Meixner Band so we can continue to get the word out about the Alex Meixner Band’s awesome live shows!
In the meantime, Stay All Night, the new album is finally available on all of the major digital sources…. I tunes, Rhapsody and even downloads at www.cdbaby.com/meixneralex2 If you haven’t picked up the cd yet—you can get the full artwork and cd at cdbaby or download the music at the other sites….

Thanks for your support!—Mark Bengtson, Publicity coordinator for Alex Meixner Band

OKTOBERFEST!

Sorry I’ve been so out of blogging… my laptop was down just as the Oktoberfest/ Wurstfest schedule hit the final overdrive! Thanks to the great Matt Busby (tubist, civil engineer and computer specialist extraordinaire— but questionable driver/ navigator) I’m back up and running…

Anyway—despite my computer troubles—audiences have been Staying All Night and partying with the Alex Meixner Band! We had a great performance at Stoudt’s Brewery in Adamstown, PA on Sun. Oct. 25. It’s always great to perform for Ed and Carol and their great crew—as well as the awesome audiences that come to partake in fine beer, food and the most amazing pretzels anywhere… (Too bad they ran out before the band could get to the kitchen this week!!). We’ve already set some dates to open their Oktoberfest for next September and another date in October.

From there, I concluded the 2 ½ week stint in Paterson, NJ for Ace in the Hole Productions. Always a class act of people to work with… Looking forward to the Alpine Christmas shows coming up in early December.

Then— off to Texas! We warmed up at the Rieker’s House in Canyon Lake—to play for our good friends, the Drunk Monkey and his bunch…. Then, Wurstfest!!!!!!!!! I can’t even begin to tell you how much me and the band enjoy playing for these audiences! If you’ve never been, you need to make it to the festival. It’s been great fun so far—I’m performing through Wednesday Nov. 4—so if you’re in travel distance to New Braunfels, TX- boogie on over and polka down with us!

Hope to get some fan pics posted soon… visit me at facebook and you tube with your pics/ videos!

Thanks everyone for your great support….
alex

Absolutely Amazing!

So—of course, all week I’ve been performing sold out Oktoberfest shows at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ. For those of you unfamiliar with this side of my career, I work with a wonderful production company called Ace in the Hole, that specializes in presenting luncheon shows to senior groups. I’ll be back for 7 more Oktoberfest shows (and the company has me booked for an Alpine Christmas show in December, an All Star Polka event in May, 2010 with Hank Guzevich, Fred Ziwich and Ed Klancnik, as well as nearly 3 weeks of Oktoberfest in October, 2010)

Although those audiences have been great—The band and I have been looking forward to the OktoBurlesk show that William Crane from the Bell House in Brooklyn set up. Last night was the big night. Firstly, I’ll openly admit that I really didn’t know exactly what I was in for—but it not only exceeded all of my expectations, it was…… I’m speechless! Doc and his crew from Wasabassco Burlesque are truly one of the greatest entertainment outfits I’ve ever worked with. Ultra professional, ultra entertaining and just all around cool people. The whole show was top notch— we even accompanied Nasty Canasta on the Schnitzelbank…. (I don’t know if Matt Tolentino will ever be able to sing the song the same way again!!!!)

While I’m writing all of the stuff on the dancers, I really can’t begin to tell you how awesome William Crane is (the owner and brain child of this event!). He has booked me twice before at the Bell House—for a last minute Oktoberfest last year and a gig in January, 2009. Both times, I’ve been extremely impressed with the venue (check it out www.thebellhouseny.com), including the management and sound people…. But, we haven’t had a huge audience…. With last minute gigs or January in the Northeast, it’s never easy to pull in an audience… but everyone there has totally rocked out to my music and made the gigs a total blast… Yesterday—had a full court press… Great posters—I mean, great posters—then besides my band and Wasabassco Burlesque, Theo was outside grilling some of the most amazing bratwursts ever….(he’s a competition chef who has won some major sausage awards—I can taste why!)– also, the bar is just rocking in both rooms at the Bell House.

So the place was packed and just going nuts. We played an extra set for the manic polka dancers…. I see a new scene developing for our music in New York… It’s great to see people digging the music…. I’m disappointed we won’t be at Studio Square in Long Island City tonight—but there’s a strong forecast of rain and it’s an uncovered outside beer garden… Hope we get to make up the date sometime down the road next year….

Thanks everyone for coming out this week— Check us out at Bear Mountain State Park on Saturday Noon-5pm (It’s supposed to be a beautiful day so it should be perfect….) and at Blob’s Park in Jessup, MD on Sunday 4-8pm…. Good times to be had by all!

alex

Oktoberfest in full swing, rock, polka, polka and polka!

The Alex Meixner Band is having great times entertaining y’all that have braved the cold and rain to celebrate Oktoberfests in the Northeast these 2 weeks. At this point, we might be qualified to play for a convention of postal workers (though rain, sleet, snow…..)—except that I’m pretty snow adverse! Anyway—I hear a rumor that the weather is clearing for our Sunday gig at Stoudts—then keep in mind, we are indoors all week in Paterson, NJ and of course for the Bell House’s 1st Annual (we hope!) OktoberBurlesque show with the Wasabassco Burlesque Dancers and yours truly! (no I won’t be dancing—luckily for y’all!!!)
Now I just have to fight off my little cold….. Thanks for coming out—hope to see ya at the upcoming Oktoberfest shows!!!!

alex

Helen, GA Oktoberfest recap/ Seamus Kennedy Recording…

It was great being back at the Helen Oktoberfest this year. Despite the rain all weekend throughout the region, it was a really good time for all of us there. It was particularly fun splitting stage with Pros’t, a great band from Cincinnati. I’m looking forward to next year already! (We’ve already been asked to return with Pros’t for next year’s 40th Anniversary of the Oktoberfest). The atmosphere in the Festhalle was a blast as always- with more traditional German Oktoberfest music during the afternoons and a fun American party mix as the evening evolves. I even sat in on trumpet with Pros’t as they kicked into Offspring’s “Ya Gotta Keep ‘em Separated” (Interesting choice— could devolve into our set list eventually…).

On the way back north, I detoured to Springfield, VA where I had the great opportunity to record at Brad Hayford’s RBO Recording Studio for the upcoming album by Seamus Kennedy, the renowned Irish singer/musician/comedian. It was a pleasure working with Brad and Seamus—I’m really looking forward to the CD. More information will be available when the CD is released!

In the meantime—it’s Oktoberfest time! The Alex Meixner Band will be in Norwalk, CT on Friday (tomorrow!), and at Stoudt’s Brewery in Adamstown, PA on Saturday (this is one of my favorite venues—check us out with some GREAT beer, amazing breads, sausages and the BEST pretzels ever!). On Sunday, I’ll be doing a duo performance for an Oktoberfest in Park Ridge, NJ. It’s all good—check out the website www.alexmeixner.com for more information… or drop me an e-mail if you need more specifics…

Opening night at Helen, GA Oktoberfest…

It was great to return to one of my old favorite venues, the Festhalle in Helen, GA for Oktoberfest last night. I’m performing through Sunday with super drummer Ed Klancnik, my dueling partner in the Alex Meixner Duo. Despite a fairly dreary weather forecast of rain, rain and more rain—the faithful gang came out to enjoy some old school German favorites and other stuff with my Duo, as well as our new friends from Cincinnati—Pros’t! Between our 2 groups, we’re able to play just about any kind of dance music… it’s a lot of fun—so if you’re in the area of northeast Georgia (or in the mood for a beautiful road trip through the mountains)—c’mon by! There have already been some pretty cool jams between our groups on everything from “Oktoberfest Chestnuts” to “Mustang Sally” and “Play that Alpenmusik Kraut Boy”—and well you can just imagine the good time… Hope to see ya tonight, tomorrow and Sunday!

Hopefully some pictures will be coming soon….

….Accordion Mania weekend….

After kicking off this past weekend with a little jazz party for the Royal Order of Jesters with The Alex Meixner Band- (which is always a fun gig for me and the band—as well as the Jesters!), I got my accordion brain on hard core. Saturday brought me to the metropolis of Cranberry, PA (a suburb of Oil City) for a special dinner/concert at Bob Flabas’ barn with the great Guy Klucevsek. “Wow” is all I can say about the whole setup! I’m speechless at the whole thing…. Firstly, the setting was amazing— in a very rural part of western PA and a barn. A barn! This place is decked out in a fashion that is unbelievable. From the collectibles that are basically a history of the area from the last 100 years, to the seating and great sound system to the people who brought some amazing home cooked dishes- I was completely overwhelmed. Mix in that I’m doing a concert with one of the finest musicians in the world- and we have a great night. Of course, Guy’s solo set was sublime. I did a solo set as well and then followed it up with 45 minutes of duets. It has been such a challenge preparing this music with Guy—I’m just thrilled to have the opportunity to present this music to audiences and really hope to have the opportunity to do more of it in the future. Hopefully some you tubes will be up soon, as it’s a really exciting musical venture for us…
I got back in the Subaru Saturday night and started heading east… (luckily my A/C is finally fixed—anyone willing to donate to all of the car repair bills is welcome !!!).

Sunday afternoon, I was at the Magnanini Winery in Wallkill, NY with my good friend Mario Tacca. Again, another virtuoso accordionist—in the more traditional Italian and show repertoires—another great challenge and fun endeavor. Joined by Mario’s fine drummer, Ricky and a guest appearance by Mario’s wife, the great vocalist, Mary Mancini—and enhanced by some great wine, food and hospitality—I hope I have the opportunity to perform up there again…. On a personal note, I got to visit with one of my best friends from college, Mark Heinsman and his lovely wife- Kim. Some of you who have been following my music for a long time might recognize Mark as the drummer in the Al Meixner Trio (1999-2002) as well as the vibist in my jazz quartet through most of my undergrad years. As I’m typing those years in and realizing 2009 is quickly coming to a close, I’m truly understanding how fast time flies. This time of year is especially busy for me as I’m traveling and performing almost every day of the week, but I’m trying to appreciate those people in my life who have shaped and are continuing to shape what I do. Thank you for supporting my efforts…. I hope you continue to enjoy the music…. Off to Helen, GA this week! I start dueling with Klancnik on Thursday evening!

Yeah- Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh!

Saturday night, the place to be in Pittsburgh was the Hofbrauhaus! That is- if you like to drink great beer, have a good time with a lot of fun people and party down with The Alex Meixner Band. The place was jammed and jamming! Young and old alike were digging on the band and the antics—a great feeling for me and the boys in the band. Zebar and Fort were especially enjoying the round of the Stiller’s Polka—which they are know singing in proper Pittsburghese!

Besides all of the regular patrons, there were a bunch of the local polka musicians there- including Brian O’Boyle (who is also mixed and recorded a big portion of my new album- “Stay All Night”), Kevin Solecki (who might have had a beer or 2 during the night!) and the Bogdon brothers from Henny and the Versa J’s.

I hope to be able to come back to the Hofbrauhaus sometime next year… see ya there next time!

In the meantime—this coming weekend, breaks a bit of the Oktoberfest theme— I have the band up in Alexandria Bay, NY at an annual party for the Royal order of Jesters, then I do a private concert with Guy Klucevsek in Western PA and a show with Mario Tacca at the Maganini Winery in Wallkill, NY. If you’re in the area for that one- it’s the only public gig this weekend- and does promise to be a fun show!

alex

Friday night at Hofbrauhaus-Pittsburgh.

This being our first trip to the new Hofbrau in Pittsburgh, we didn’t exactly know what to expect—but what we got was an awesome place with a great atmosphere and audience. We started off with some old school Oktoberfest favorites and very quickly everyone was singing in the Ein Prosits and Zigge Zagge Hoi, Hoi, Hois! Of course, this was helped by many sales of shot skis, and many people enjoying the great Hofbrau beer. I personally paid for a shot ski, when one gentleman, took my challenge to chug a whole liter of beer after a shot ski of jaegermeister. (I can only imagine the headache he woke up with this morning!)

Anyway—it was great to visit with some old friends from college, as well as renowned Polka djs Pam and Jerry Zagar. (Jerry is also a great musician on bass and drums) Looking forward to another night of merriment tonight!
alex