Musician returns to simpler life

Kalispell native Alex Athy starring in his first local concert

Alex Athy had trouble completing a CD in the cutthroat world of the California music scene, but he figures it was for the best.

Athy, a 2000 Flathead High School graduate who might be best-known locally for his years as an all-state running back for the Braves, recently came back to the valley to live for a while.

"I need to finish the album here," he said. "I'm a Montana kid, and this is Montana music."

Athy said his sound is a blend of "Whitefish and Motown," with "blues and country twang," from influences as diverse as Lenny Kravitz, Seal, Prince, Aerosmith, Maroon 5 and Guns N' Roses. He plays guitar and piano and is the lead vocalist on his compositions.

He will share his musical vision at Red's Wines and Blues in Kalispell on May 15 in an event called "A Night to Remember." The doors open at 5 p.m.; things get rolling at 7 p.m.

The concert featuring Athy and his band - himself and brothers Matt, Mike and Tim Brewer - will be interspersed with a fashion show and music from Hot Springs singer Shawn Michael Perry.

Athy, who turns 27 on May 11, wants to introduce his music to the people he knows from a childhood and youth spent in the Flathead Valley, and new friends as well.

The Kalispell native is remembered for his football exploits, but not his music. It wasn't until he left the valley that he discovered his passion for it.

Athy played football at Concordia College in Minnesota his freshman year, then moved on to Eastern Washington University.

As a redshirt transfer, Athy could practice but not play for EWU, so he spent some of his extra time playing and composing music. Making the finals of a national talent contest in Spokane in 2002 gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams and give up football for a potential music career.

He moved to Southern California where, in a four-year period, he was signed with various entertainment companies, put together the Alex Athy Band with the backing of professional musicians, made a video for his song "Destined" and wrote a lot of music.

Toward the end of those four years, at a swanky Hollywood party, Athy met a promoter who told Athy he would help him launch his career in a big way. Plans for concert tours and television appearances followed, but nothing panned out as promised.

Through it all, Athy had been working hard trying to get his music noticed, as well as taking care of basic necessities such as paying exorbitant California rent.

"My California lifestyle was at warp speed," he said. "What I picked up from Montana to there, it was like a switch turned on and I was going 100 miles an hour."

After things fell through with the last promoter, Athy said, it was time to come home to Montana and find a simpler lifestyle.

His rededication to his music should help him get his CD finished, he said. He has about 35 songs in his repertoire now, so it's a matter of paring down to the best and getting into the recording studio.

Though the Red's concert is a big undertaking, and Athy has big plans for future community musical events, he said he's already starting to recover from his hectic time in California. He can't wait to share his newfound enthusiasm with the community.

"When you see the smile that it puts on my face and the fun that we have … " he said. "These gray hairs from my California crazy life are going away."

Reporter Heidi Gaiser may be reached at 758-4431 or by e-mail at hgaiser@dailyinterlake.com