Alex Bevan worth a revisit

By: Jay Minkin
Date: 09/11/2008
Avery long time ago, there was a little place called Boulder Junction in a one stoplight town where musicians would hone their craft on weekends. It was there, where I will be forever young, that I heard one particular troubadour making friends through his music. The effect has lasted for over 33 years.

Born in East Cleveland in 1950, singer/songwriter Alex Bevan is a graduate of Shaw High School. He started performing at various coffeehouses and nightclubs as a   University of Akron student while holding various side jobs. His first single “Linda’s Song” allowed him to hit the road and perform as an opening act for an eclectic list of performers. These influences blended into his own work, which culminated in 1976 with Bevan writing Springboard. Songs like “Rainbow,” “Carey Come Smiling,” “Shadowdancer,” “Streamline,” “Silver Wings,” and “Rodeo Rider” make this a record everyone should revisit. The album’s big hit “Skinny” and “Have Another Laugh On Cleveland Blues” from the 1979 release The Grand River Lullaby garnered national attention when a former mayor put the City of Cleveland into default. Bevan’s second album also includes timeless nuggets like “The Grand River Lullaby,” “Jazzbo,” and “I Ain’t Lonely.”

Some of Bevan’s 12 projects included children’s educational music including Who Killed the Dragon?—a musical fairytale with an environmental message.

Two of his works which received critical acclaim were Magic Moments From the Children’s Nature Schoolhouse, which was produced for the Lake Metroparks and All the Rivers Run, which was produced for the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. Bevan won an Emmy for his post score of NBC’s American Promise documentary segment The Rustbelt Blues. His most recent releases are the studio-recorded disc Fall & Angels and a double live album from a recent performance at The Kent Stage.

Alex Bevan will be performing at The Winking Lizard in Peninsula on Aug 3, The Orrville Street Fair on Aug 8, Pannini’s in Mayfield Heights on Aug 27, as well as several private “house party” concerts. To sign-up for his e-blast and more, visit www.alexbevan.com.

Reach Jay at blues4bird@aol.com.

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