Hello everybody,
I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted. I’ve been very appreciative of everyone who has e-mailed to keep up with me—as well as everyone who has come out to the spring shows. Lot’s has been going on so here’s the report….
In March, I had a nearly 2 week run at the Hofbrau Haus in Panama City Beach, FL for Spring Break meets Oktoberfest. It was a fun gig and hopefully I’ll be back there sometime next year. If you’re in the area, check this place out for some real German beer and a great menu. (Some of the best Jaeger schnitzel I’ve had anywhere!)
In April, I had a little gig out in western PA where the Alex Meixner Band (with some special guests from the Pittsburgh area- including Jerry Zagar, Larry Divis, Kevin Solecki and our host Jack Tady) performed to a packed house at the Acmetonia Slovenian Club. It was a blast sharing the stage with Jack Tady and the Tady Bears as well as George Suhon’s Silver Sky Duo. We’re already working on planning something for next year and we’ll have a whole bunch more in store then!
Also- in April, I had the opportunity to play some classical trumpet… something I don’t get to do too often these days, but something that’s always nice to get back to. I performed the Haydn trumpet concerto with Bob Ormesher at Salem Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, PA (where Jamie and I got married a few years ago…. ) It’s nice to know that my college degrees can be put to work every once in awhile… (for those of you who don’t know, I actually have my degrees in trumpet performance and music education from Ithaca College and Penn State)
In the midst of these performances, I had some nice school shows, a Dueling Accordions extravaganza with my friend, Mario Tacca, a wonderful accordionist from New York, some jazz festival adjudications and was feverishly at work on the upcoming album… but more on that in a minute….
By the time May rolled around- everything went to full tilt. The Alex Meixner Band had a gig at the newly reopened Blob’s Park in Jessup, MD. ( www.blobspark.net ) We’ll be back there in October—and hope to continue coming back to this great venue in the future. A great dance floor, bar and food make this an ideal spot to go in between Baltimore and Washington, DC.
Just after that gig, I was on my first trip to Europe with a great All star crew of American-Slovenian Polka artists. We had a great reception with gigs in the Netherlands and I greatly enjoyed the time in Germany as well. Musically it was a blast playing with some old friends, as well as new ones- including Walter Ostanek, The Rodicks, Ron Likovic, Frank Moravcik and Denis Novato- as well as the rest of the crew. There are some Youtubes out there of some of our performances, so check us out…
I was back in the states for 2 days before I was enroute to Texas for some recording sessions and a private party before tearing back to PA for 2 days of clinics and a performance with the Lake Wallenpaupack HS Jazz Band and my annual concert at the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School in Loganton, PA. It’s always good to get back to these schools and I greatly appreciate the hospitality of the students, parents, administrators and most importantly music directors Eric Warner (Lake Wallenpaupack) and Cory Spotts (Sugar Valley). I’d also be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Peg, my band’s favorite lunch lady at Sugar Valley… If you’re in the area when we do our spring concert, come by and check out the wonderful dinners she prepares! Thanks!!!!!!
So here we are—up to date in June… now for the rest of the news!
After a long search, my family is relocating to Florida. With the tremendous amount of traveling I do for gigs, it’s easier for us to be based closer to Jamie’s family down there…and winter is much better than it is for us in Pennsylvania! I’m taking most of June off to get situated and then it’s back to the road in July….. also in July, I will be premiering- “Stay All Night” my new album! I’m very excited about this one and sure y’all will like this. Without putting too much pressure on the final mixes (which are currently being tweaked….) – I think the live energy of the show has been captured. I have some new originals, as well as some fan favorites… We might leak a track or two early on the reverb nation site ( www.reverbnation.com/alexmeixner ) so keep an eye on the site and sign up for fan exclusives….
While you’re online—you might want to drop by www.youtube.com/alexmeixner There are a few new videos popping up… some fun stuff that’s been sent to us by fans as well as a few tv spots that we’re editing for your enjoyment….
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing my friends in Kimberley, British Columbia and Utica, NY next month. If you’re in the area (or if you’re not try to make it to the areas!) for the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships (www.kiotac.ca ) and the Bavarian Festival sponsored by the Utica Maennerchor in Marcy, NY – they’re sure to be a fun time…
See ya down the road….
alex
Additionally, I also played on “The Man with the Rubber Head,” a curious little waltz with a pretty melody and cool harmonies, along with some adventure and “Meet Me on the Midway”, a polka Guy dedicated to the late great accordionist Johnny Vadnal. This tune brought out some different interpretations from me, so don’t be surprised if you see it showing up with a different arrangement on my next album… 