Summervale looks promising for this Thursday! The forecast shows promising signs of a light cloud coverage with rains holding out until 11:00 PM. This week we look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces again!

This Thursday, August 11th, the Intervale welcomes a Burlington celebrity to the stage, someone who has had both his feet in the Burlington music scene for over 10 years. Alex Budney is the co-founder of Nectar’s famous Dead Set– a show that brings together the whole Burlington community from UVM students to lifelong Burlingtonians.

Alex is also the organizer of a rotating cover band of talented musicians in the area called Al’s Pals. The cast this week will be Ryan Clawson on drums, Jordan Wiener on guitar and mandolin, Walker Allen on guitar and Alex Budney on bass and vocals.

Al’s Pals have been around for the greater part of 8 years. Alex Budney formed Al’s Pals in Burlington, as a fun “filler” band for musicians of other bands to get together on their off nights and play some of their favorite cover songs for the people of Vermont. And where did Al meet most of his pals?

From the weekly family night he hosted of course! For over 10 years, Alex ran an open jam space in Burlington called family night at a variety of different venues including Nectar’s, Club Metronome, Half Lounge, and Side Bar. Family night was a place for artists and musicians to gather and play whatever playful or somber tune they had rattling around in their head that evening.

Alex was inspired to start Family Night after an inspiring visit to Wally’s Café Jazz Club in Boston. There, he experienced the joy of audience listening. He was amazed at the string of musicians that would walk onto the stage. Each musician was better than the last and every musician before was the best. Alex returned and thus the creation of Family night. “That was always my thing,” Alex remarked. “I just really loved playing with new people, backing up musicians, giving other people time on the stage, encouraging growth in the musical community.” Through his founding and involvement of this space, Alex has been able to meet a ton of musical pals along the way. These exposures and connections would end up being a brick on the path to Al’s Pals.

Al’s Pals is a cover band, often playing popular rock songs from classic artists such as Tom Petty, Prince, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and the like. Oftentimes the songs that they play all depends on the read of the audience. The band likes to be in silent cooperation with the audience and play from where they are at.

Alex is a recent New Hampshire resident after crossing the border from Vermont. Previously, he had lived in Burlington for many years. Alex originally hails from Newington, CT and moved to Vermont at 17 to attend the formerly shuttered Green Mountain College. After attending GMC for about a year and a half, Alex and his college band moved to Burlington, and thus begins Alex’s saga into the Burlington Music scene.

Alex has been playing music for a little over 25 years. He is a completely self-taught bassist. Growing up, his older brother played guitar, and seniority rules led Alex to play the bass. He started around 15. Alex learned from watching his brother on the guitar and from listening to him play.

Alex has been a full-time musician for about 4 years now. He became a pro by working as the music booker of Nectar’s for over 10 years. Alex currently works in 5 bands; The Dave Keller Band, Seth Yacovone Band, Purple: A Tribute to Prince, FRO!, and Al’s Pals under the DJ name DJ Steal Wool. While juggling 5 bands and deejaying keeps Alex busy, he credits his years at Nectar’s for teaching him the importance of keeping a very well-organized calendar. Just this past week, Purple: A Tribute to Prince was awarded 2022 Best Tribute Band and honorably mentioned for Best Soul/Funk/R&B group by Seven Days. Be sure to congratulate Alex after show!

“It's kind of like just hanging out with your friends and playing good music,” Alex says of playing with Al’s Pals. Alex classifies their sound as rock/blues/soul with the occasional funk jam thrown in. “I just like to focus on the song itself. Keep it short and simple, and showcase the talent that we have.”

Al’s Pals plays every Thursday at the Mad River Barn in Waitsfield. To catch more of their shows or one of Alex’s other bands, check out his website at https://alexbudney.com/current-bands.

We look forward to seeing everyone out this week! We have a lot of dancing to make up for at The Intervale Center!

Al's Pals at Summervale!