Alex Johnson of Manchester recently produced “WTC – 9/11,” an online video commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. (Courtesy Photo)

Musician, producer, composer, Internet marketing consultant ­ Alex Johnson, 49, wears a lot of hats, and he combined them all to create a powerful commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. “WTC ­ 9/11,” his online video, combines original music with documentary footage from the World Trade Center during the attacks and the aftermath. The video has been viewed more than 5,000 times since its Aug. 20 posting.

Johnson, who has played music almost his whole life, has a degree in music from the University of Utah and spent 20 years as a rock musician, including time spent with major groups in Seattle in the 1980s. He has been a Manchester resident for the last six years.

One of his early compositions, “The Color Was Blue,” serves as the background for the compelling images of the video. This is not Johnson’s first video, but it is the first time he has released one for public viewing. The video can be viewed at www.wtc911.us. It also has been distributed via Google Video, YouTube and MySpace.

– Annette Gallagher, correspondent

What was your inspiration for making this video?

I was listening to “The Color Was Blue,” which I actually composed about viewing the Earth from space, and suddenly I had this vision of the planes hitting the towers. This year is the fifth anniversary of the attacks, and I wanted to do something that would remind people of the shock and horror of that day. Although no one has forgotten, I think people have become a bit removed from the impact of what happened.

These are hard images to see, and the combination of music and realistic sounds reinforces the emotion of that day. The real sounds of people on the street, sirens, the planes hitting the building, etc., combined with the music makes the visual stuff even more powerful. When I was researching this, I watched every bit of footage I could about that day, and it shocked me how much I had forgotten the real impact of those images. I think it’s appropriate on the anniversary to remind people of that. We don’t have to wallow in it, but we should never forget.

Why create a video for the Internet?

I wanted this to be an Internet project that would be free for anyone to view and for anyone to forward to anyone and everyone else. I hope that it goes around the world a few times. In fact, there is a link on the site with a sample e-mail for people to let others know about the video. It is not available anywhere for purchase, but I will be creating a high-res version that people can download and burn to a DVD to watch on a bigger screen if they wish. I love that the Internet allows for people to share in this way.

Where can listeners hear more of your music?

My Web site, www.alex-johnson-productions.com, has links to all of my other sites, including the music ones and my consulting site. There are links to my music on the WTC video site. That site also has links to a wealth of 9/11 references and information.

How would you classify your musical style?

Right now I am really into an “East meets West” thing. I have a web site, tonaltherapy.com, which goes into more detail about that and illustrates it and the power it has. I have been to India, and played Indian music and that influences me quite a bit.

What pays the bills?

Internet marketing consulting. Music is my passion, and I am a professional, but I don’t expect to support myself with it.