If you think musicians are in a world of their own, think again.
Especially in Montclair, musicians continue to push the envelope not only with their sound - but also with their lyrics.
Montclairian Alan Smith recently played along with some of his friends at a benefit for Bionners By the Bay.
According to their site, Bioneers by the Bay "is an internationally acclaimed annual gathering of environmental, industry and social justice innovators who have demonstrated visionary and practical models for restoring the Earth and its inhabitants."
The event attracted more than 2,000 people a few weeks ago, and Montclair musicians including Smith were there to entertain the crowd.
One of the songs they performed was 'Hope for the Flowers'.
"The song 'Hope for Flowers' was written by me and a few others for a child of friends of ours," said Smith.
"It's an interpretation of the book by the same name written by Trina Paulus, also of Montclair, in 1972."
Smith said he and his fellow musician friends decided to form a band for the Bioneers by the Bay event.
"We were called 'The Waddling Fools'," he said. "It was a mix of people from several bands. The violinist is Nicole Scorsone of 'Bern and the Brights', also of Montclair."
And, if you have been around Montclair listening to Music, Smith should surely be familiar to you, since he is part of one of the area's most popular bands -
The Porchistas.
Rounding out the Montclair representation at the big event were two local brothers.
"The drummer and xylophonist are Sam and Matt McMnickle of the McMiclke Brothers also of Montclair," added Smith.
If you would like to listen to the CD Smith is selling,
'Canta No Liore' The Songs of Rancho Mastatal,you can
feel proud to have done a good deed. The proceeds from the sale of these CDs is going to the Mastate Charitable Foudation.
The Mastate Foundation is an organization that supports the education of people in Central America in natural building and sustainable living.
MCF is a worthwhile cause, and if you would like to check it out, click here.
To see a video of the music, go to our video site.
To purchase a Cd, go to alansmith101@gmail.com.