NOT YOUR ORDINARY POP STAR…

This extraordinary young man doesn’t live the expected life of a pop singer.  In fact, being a musician tells only a portion of what is going on in his life.

“In a word:  Balance…  I have never believed that you should be limited to being one thing, or to having just one dream.  I don’t think that life should have those kinds of limits placed on it.”

Alan continues, “It’s your life.  And you only have one.  You can’t spend that one life not trying everything you’ve ever wanted to do.  I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve found it to be one of those great truths in life.”

Crazy or not, Alan puts his money where his mouth is.  For one thing, his music dreams have always co-existed with his educational goals.  Alan has always been a big believer in the value of education – and proved it with an undergraduate degree in business – as well as an MBA.

Amazingly enough, that graduate degree was earned at the same time Alan pursued one of his other career goals:  a business career.  His educational experience helped prepare Alan for a career in corporate America – where he has spent time climbing the ladder in one of the world’s largest entertainment companies.  As a finance professional, Alan has put his business skills to use in facing the day-to-day challenges of his company.  “I love what I discovered in the business world – I love the problems and opportunities, the different kinds of people, and the chance to use my other talents.  And even though I have a musician’s soul – that’s not all I am.”

And at the day’s end, he proves just that.  “When I leave work, I dive into my music and performing – my vocal training, dance classes, songwriting, recording.  And I go to sleep totally exhausted!  And that’s the greatest feeling – going to bed knowing you did everything you could to just be alive!”  When all is said and done, Alan proves that choosing to be a musician is not a limitation on one’s life.  And even if “having it all” is not always possible, it is, in Alan’s words, “always worth pursuing.”

SO WHY POP MUSIC?

So why would someone like this be pursuing a career in pop music?  Alan laughs at this question, but obviously loves to answer it.  “I don’t know why there seems to be this ‘rule book’ that says that you can’t be an intelligent person and like pop music!  Unfortunately, there is this stereotype of pop music as being ‘throwaway’ or ‘disposable’ – like the ‘bubble gum’ that some people refer to.”

“I just don’t believe that music should be criticized in that way.  It’s music!  It’s an art – and some people like some styles, and some people like other kinds.  But I don’t believe it’s right to put labels such as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ on a song - or an entire genre.  Who could possibly be capable of making a decision like that?  Who’s to say that a teenage girl in Kansas can’t have an opinion about music that’s as valid as a man in France or a grandmother in New York?”

“My favorite singing group is the Backstreet Boys – and I also love seeing Britney Spears and other pop stars when their tours come through LA.  And to tell the truth, some people think that that’s strange – that someone ‘like me’ shouldn’t act that way - and that these kinds of music are only for people who don’t have ‘refined listening tastes’.  But I think that if you can find the music you love, and can go out there and dance and sing along with it – more power to ya!”

“We’re all different people, so we will all have different tastes…  In the same way, I write and sing and listen to the music I love – and that happens to be pop music…  People may think that makes me less intelligent or less cultured – Fine, they can think what they want.  They can look at my education or my business experience and other things like that, and say that I should only be interested in certain types of music.  And while I love listening to classical, country, rock, and other kinds of music – I love pop for what it does for me.  And that is what I want to share with my audience.  So that’s what I’m going to do…”

But Alan’s unique life experiences allow him to bring a very different perspective to his music.  “What I learned in all these experiences has helped me to live my life – and to open my eyes to the truths out there.  I realized that you can’t spend your life sitting down – and that you must actively reach for every dream that is important to you.  I love the fact that all of my dreams have had an effect on my music.  And that’s the story I want to share.  I want each listener to hear the music and understand a bit of who I am - and just maybe, it will also help them pursue the person that they want to be.”

AND NOW…  COUNTRY MUSIC???

And because Alan is one of the proudest defenders of pop music, one may be surprised to find that his latest release is an album of country music!  “Well, if you look at the reasons I love and perform pop music, maybe it’s not such a stretch to realize that these are the same reasons I wanted to perform country music,” explains Alan.  “I have always loved country music – its richness, its history, and its personality.  It seemed only natural for me to take the next step!”

But there is one aspect of the genre that really makes it special for Alan.  “In its own unique way, country music is very hopeful,” Alan says.  “The stories can be about sad things, or terrible events, or horrible circumstances – but in the end, country music as a whole still speaks with a considerable amount of hope – even in the face of sadness or despair.”

And it is this quality that drives the theme and the music of The Sun Will Rise.  “This is a very special album to me,” continues Alan.  “This CD tells a story about having a hopeful perspective – in the face of growing up and all the challenges that come with trying to become who we were meant to be.  I hope that all the fans will find the themes here realistic, but inspiring and encouraging as well.”

CATCHING UP WITH ALAN

Since the release of his debut album, Evolution, and his follow-up CD, Boy Diva, Alan has been hard at work preparing his new work, The Sun Will Rise.

However, the release of this new country album is not the only thing on Alan’s mind these days.  Alan is already back in the studio and is hard at work on no less than three upcoming releases!  First up is the next pop album – and while the concept is being kept well under wraps, you can expect some very different themes and exciting new directions.  Also, the long-awaited dance remix album will make its way to release within the year – offering new takes on your favorite hits from Alan.  And finally, Alan’s next project is already underway – but in his usual style, is being kept very secret as the production proceeds!

“It’s a thrilling journey,” says Alan.  “My music career is so busy – but so fulfilling – and it’s a dream come true to be doing what I love to do…  Thanks to all the fans who have made all this possible – I hope you enjoy the new music, and that you find something special in it for you!”