Michael Alexander appears in a music video he made while home from Los Angeles during the pandemic.

With virus shutdown measures forcing people to slow down, one Butler native took the time to reflect on the home he left to pursue a career across the country.

Michael Alexander, 26, of Butler Township left his family several years ago to work on a music career in Los Angeles.

But when virus precautions were put in place, Alexander decided to duck the big city and head back to Butler County and be with his family.

Settling in for two months, he decided to work on his music career while also reflecting on his upbringing by creating a music video that features places like Old Plank Road and other locales of importance to his childhood.

“I wasn't going to originally release the song but then I was home for about two months and things in LA were pretty bad and Butler seemed to be calming down, so I said let's take this sad song and make some light with it and create a memento by walking through my childhood and create a nice memory to cherish,” Alexander said.

With the help of a Pittsburgh cinematographer, Alexander turned his song “Stay Around Here” into the greatest hits of his childhood, touring with the viewer through Butler Catholic School, which he attended, and other areas in the county.

The music video, which can be viewed on YouTube, features various family members, both dead and alive. Alexander explained that even those who have died in the family are seen when the camera closes in on a family album showing various members, many of whom have passed away or couldn't make it to the filming.As for the song itself, Alexander said the theme of staying or going is relevant to his own story of leaving Butler Township to pursue a career in Los Angeles.“This could maybe work for someone who's thinking, 'Do I stay around in my hometown or leave?'” Alexander said. “I was looking at all these locations with my family and I said let's document this because I was so lucky to have two months to be here because I've never had that time to just be here. And I'm so grateful everybody opened their homes to me.”The song is a single for his upcoming album, “A Warning of Light.” The music can be streamed through various online platforms.Alexander's mother, Victoria Ewing, said her son “was singing before he could talk” and by the age of 8 he was taking music lessons.“He started singing and that was pretty much it for him. He likes to be on stage and put on a show. He sees the whole big picture. He loves to be a part of the show as well,” Ewing said.“I never had to argue with him to go to lessons and practice. He was always competing with himself to be better. He wanted to do the best he could. I never had to really push him. It was never an issue for him to be serious about it,” she said.The beginning of Alexander's journey with lessons is also marked in the music video by featuring his vocal teacher, Valda Wolf, who can be seen giving Alexander a thumbs up.“I was a little nervous about this music video. I just wanted the whole family in it. I was worried it might only interest family but when it hit the YouTube it got quite a few views,” Ewing said. “People felt the message of the video. Wanting to be close to home but also chasing a dream. Timing was good with kids going to college.”<iframe width="100%" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K-i-dfix0uU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Michael Alexander appears in a video he made while home from Los Angeles during the pandemic.