Saddle up: Some of the area's most talented musicians bring sounds of the West to Merced stage

By KRISTA BJORN
Sun-Star Correspondent

The Wild West takes center stage next weekend as the Merced Music Guild presents "Westward Ho!" -- its 48th Pops Concert.

"(It) is a celebration in music and song, of the adventure and development of America's West," Anita Chisholm said. "The Merced Music Guild is proud to present its 48th annual Pops Concert which musically depicts the spirit and enthusiasm of earlier settlers."

Popular impresario Ken Taylor will conduct the orchestra comprised of some of the Valley's most accomplished musicians.

The first half of the concert will feature a host of familiar selections from such beloved shows as "How The West Was Won," "Oklahoma" and "Show Boat."

"The second half of the program will feature Tim Johnson, music director at Merced College, and The Sierra Riders," Chisholm said, "an eclectic group performing a wide range of western, swing, early jazz and gospel music."

The group is made up of brothers Tim and Keith Johnson, Sonny Coelho and virtuoso accordionist Johnny Salatino.

"I'm the band leader," Johnson said. "I started the band a few years ago, but my brother and I have played together all of our lives. The other part of the vocal trio, Sonny Coelho, he and I have performed together for 25 years. It's been a long journey, a long wagon ride."

The group performs cowboy music, the music of the American West. Their concerts feature original pieces as well as music from the likes of the Sons of the Pioneers.

"These folks were musicians back during the days of the Silver Screen, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry," Johnson said. "These are the songs we perform: "Tumbleweeds," "Happy Trails," "Ghost Riders." We even throw in some of the Western themes such as Rawhide. We sing three-part harmony and we're also instrumentalists."

All four were born in the Fresno area, and delight in their Western heritage. "We're from this dirt," Johnson said with a chuckle.

Tim Johnson and The Sierra Riders have performed all over the world and take pride in providing wholesome family entertainment that encourages the values they grew up with.

Johnson's passion is to provide the next generation with a rich musical heritage that inspires, entertains and enriches, saying, "Nobody commits suicide after any of our shows I'm telling you."

The Pops goes far beyond being an entertaining evening, according to Lynn M. Valerio, elementary music teacher at Delhi Unified School District. "We owe a lot to the Merced Music Guild members for their encouragement and financial support," she said.

Valerio said, "Each year the guild puts on this fundraiser so that our schools in Merced County can receive money to fund students to go to camp, or for music and instrument replacement or repair. All the music teachers have to do is request assistance and the guild, if they are able, give money to help pay for some of the things."

This money is raised through the $35 Pops ticket, which includes a hosted bar, hors d'oeuvres and dessert. There also will be a silent auction, according to Valerio who invites the public to the concert.

"Come by and check this out because this is a wonderful group of caring people who help us bring music alive."

Tickets are available at Gottschalk Music Center, 355 W. Main St., and the Merced Multicultural Art Center, 645 W. Main St., Merced, or, for further information contact Shirley Makinson at (209)723-9700. Doors open at 7 p.m Oct. 11. at St. Patrick's Social Hall, 673 E. Yosemite Ave., Merced. The concert begins at 8 o'clock.

If you go

WHAT: The 48th Pops Concert

WHEN: Oct. 11 at 8 p.m.

WHERE: St. Patrick's Social Hall, 673 E. Yosemite Ave., Merced.

TICKETS: $35 at Gottschalk Music Center, 355 W. Main St., and the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, 645 W. Main St., Merced

INFORMATION: Shirley Makinson at (209) 723-9700