Up Close with Les Alexander

Up Close with Les Alexander

(Interviewed on October 7, 2004)

Genre: Country

1.When did you begin your music career?

I have been writing songs for about 8 years, but didn’t get serious about performing until 18 months ago.

2.Who are your main musical influences?

Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Lefty Frizzell, George Jones, Randy Travis, Roger Miller, Hank Sr and Jr, Willy Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, Wesley Dennis, Clinton Gregory, Jim Croce, Credence Clearwater Revival, Don McClean, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, ZZ Top and many more.

3.Where can someone get copy of your CD "Will You Still Talk To Me"?

Below is a detailed list of places to get my music:

Ernest Tubb Record Shop in the Fort Worth Stockyards
Wise Liquors in Bridgeport, TX (Texas Music Nation cds)

http://www.towerrecords.com/default.aspx

http://www.lonestarmusic.com/index.asp

http://landmarkmusic.favestreet.com/storemain.cgi Landmark Music

http://www.lesalexander.com/pages/3/index.htm Les Alexander’s Website

http://www.cdbaby.com

Digital Downloads available at:

Apple iTunes www.apple.com/itunes

MusicMatch www.musicmatch.com

Rhapsody www.realrhapsody.com

Napster www.napster.com

BuyMusic www.buymusic.com

EMEPE3 http://www.emepe3.com/

Etherstream www.etherstream.com

Music4Cents www.music4cents.com/calendar

Lindows www.lindows.com

QTRnote www.qtrnote.com

NetMusic www.netmusic.com

Viztas https://www.viztas.com/Z/home

MSN Music http://music.msn.com/default.aspx

LoudEye http://www.loudeye.com/

MusicNet http://www.musicnet.com/

4.Is there anybody that you would like to perform with or do a duet with?

I’d like to perform with Merle Haggard, Hank Jr, Clint Black, Randy Travis, and Randy Rogers.

5.Where do you want to be in the next few years with your music career? Any long-term goals?

First, I’d like to my band (Les Alexander Band) to open for some Regional and National acts, and then headline here in Texas at the larger venues and events. Continue to write my songs and make them known through my performances, as well as through songwriting channels such as the AR Company TAXI. Long-term, I would like my music to support my family and me fully so that I may spend more time with them doing the things I love, which includes making good music.

6.What approach do you take when writing your songs? Do you have any specific routine?

In most cases, I write from the title or the “hook”. I generally cluster my thoughts around an idea, put myself in the position of the character in my song, and build my story. I try to write a little daily, however, holding down a fulltime job makes writing a challenge. I do a lot of my writing during my commute (dangerous) :-). Watch out folks!

7.What are your fondest career memories so far?

I have had some great opportunities as a soloist opening up for some country legends, and one of my best memories was in August 2003. I was to open for Janie Fricke and Johnny Duncan at the Texas Opry in Weatherford, and I was really looking forward to it, yet I had other responsibilities that might keep me from making the performance. My wife was about to give birth to my son that very morning of the day of the show, and we had sound check at 11:30! Not to mention it was also my oldest daughter’s birthday as well. Whew!

My wife had our son at about 9:30 that morning and made me get to the gig. Now that’s support!!

When the story was told to the musicians and staff and then conveyed to the crowd, it was something that I think endeared me to the people. It was on this day that I first played my title cut “Will You Still Talk To Me” which I wrote for my then 4-year-old boy. It was the first time in years that a performer had received a standing ovation at this venue.

8.Where do you see the future of Texas Music music going?

I think Texas Music is getting some well-earned notice and recognition from the rest of the country, and the world for that matter. I see Texas performers and songwriters banning together and forming associations and organized groups that I think help give a much larger voice and presence to Texas Music. Like all good things and proven products, I think everyone is now getting in on the act. Texas Music has been and still is HOT, and everyone wants to be a part of it. It seems the market is fairly flooded with so/so music right now, but I am sure time and change will weed out the good music from the mediocre. Overall, I like the fresh music that is being created today and fully support the Texas Music movement.

9. (Texas music artists are like one big family, everyone helps each other out) is this true?

Yes. I think Texas entertainers know that in order to make the kind of music we want to make and give Nashville a good run for its money and market share, we need to ban together to strengthen Texas and Americana Music and prove that our music is a powerful genre that isn’t just a fad and is here to stay.

10.In your CD player right now, what CD would be found?

Randy Rogers – “Like It Used To Be”

Music

ALBUM COVER

Les Alexander's Music
"Will You Still Talk To Me" CD

At Home
Wishing Upon The Stars
Jacktone Road
Honky Tonk Blues
Daddy Wasn't A Saint
Allergic To The Blues
Will You Still Talk To Me
G.U.I.L.T.Y.
Southbound To Bakersfield
Satan's Jeweled Crown

Bio

Les Alexander

Singer/Songwriter, Les Alexander, from Alvord , Texas has been singing, writing, and performing Country Music since he was a very young man. Les Alexander presents each song he sings as if he were telling a story about himself with every chorus and verse. With a style all his own, and vocal influence by artists such as Merle Haggard, Hank Williams (Sr. and Jr.), Buck Owens, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Joe Diffie, and Lefty Frizell, Les’ own written and vocal delivery evokes strong emotions with every Ballad, Honky Tonk, or Country Gospel tune he writes or sings.

Les Alexander was born and raised in Northern California ’s San Joaquin Valley . He grew up singing along with all his favorite artists on the radio. As a youngster, Les would perform for family gatherings, and was guilty of singing in the shower on occasion. Unlike many of his peers, upon graduation from high school, Les took up the challenge of becoming a United States Marine. While serving in the far east (Okinawa, Japan), Les found himself singing Karaoke, performing as a guest singer with area bands, picking up the guitar some, and writing his ideas down. In the first major entertainment competition he had ever entered, Les won the island of Okinawa USO AT&T Countdown to Stardom. After an “Honorable Discharge” from the Marines some years later, raising and providing for his family took front seat to Les’ singing ambitions. Attending college at night, Les completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, found good employment, and never quit working on his dream, continuing to write new songs.

While attending a weeklong Bluegrass Camp in West Texas , Les turned quite a few heads with his vocal and songwriting abilities. When he performed “Will You Still Talk to Me” (which he wrote while at camp) for the student showcase, Les’ world began to change. Networking with a number of professional musicians and songwriters, Les found himself performing alongside Country Music and Grand Ole Opry Legends at the Texas Opry in Weatherford , TX . Les soaked up every bit of knowledge he could from his new friends and mentors, and continued to perform at area Opry’s, open mics, fundraisers, songwriters’ gatherings, other music-friendly establishments, and followed these networking opportunities to Clovis , NM where Les recorded his first 5 song demo CD with Johnny Mulhair in August 2003. Les used these demos to solicit his skills and promote his upcoming album “Will You Still Talk to Me” – figuring he could generate funds by selling advanced copies of the album. The CD released December 15, 2003 , and has since sold an additional 500+ units. Many more have been presented to radio stations and donated to various benefits. During this journey, Les affiliated himself with ASCAP, joined the Lone Star Music Association (LSMA), became a member of the Fort Worth Songwriters Association (FWSA), and the Tennessee Country Music Alliance (TCMA), Christian Country Music Association (CCMA), Academy of Western Artists (AWA), and Texas Music Nation. In April 2004, Les won a Career Achievement award from the TCMA for his efforts this past year. Les is currently receiving local radio play in Texas , and will see further national and international exposure from his affiliation with known and respected promoters and DJ's. Les credits his faith in God and His blessings as the reason for his success both in life and music.

Les’ new 10-song album titled “Will You Still Talk to Me” is made up of 7 original songs written by Les. Other songs included on the album are the classic “Honky Tonk Blues” written by Hank Williams, Satan’s Jeweled Crown” which was first made popular in the 1950’s by the Louvin Brothers, and “Allergic to the Blues” written in the 1980’s by Alan Jackson and recorded by Randy Travis.

For More Information on Les Alexander visit his web site at www.lesalexander.com

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