The Silverados to grace the Civic Center Park Amphitheater stage Thursday
BY L.J. GAMBONE
APPLE VALLEY REVIEW
While many country bands dream of signing a Nashville recording contract, the Inland Empire-based group The Silverados has much simpler and less-complicated goals, according to founder Mike Heil. Heil, who sings and plays guitar, says his group is all about having fun and providing a memorable entertainment experience to the scores of fans who attend its shows.
Quite a few of those will no doubt turn out for The Silverados’ upcoming appearance at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Town’s Sunset Concert Series at Civic Center Park Amphitheater, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway. According to Heil, the band has been a featured act at the event for the past several years.
“We love playing in Apple Valley because the crowds are fantastic,” said Heil, who lives in Alta Loma. “We are always happy to see how much they participate in our shows by singing along and dancing at the front of the stage. It’s not like that at all of our performances.”
Heil formed The Silverados in 1992. Over the years, the seven-piece ensemble has played everywhere from the Upland Street Fair Market to coffee houses, such as the Koffee Klatch in Alta Loma.
Its current lineup includes Heil, Doug Hanks (guitar), Scott Van Tine (bass), Julie Wuertz (vocals), Ray Ochoa (drums), Steve Sanchez (guitar) and Audrey Dukes (vocals).
In 2011, The Silverados opened for Tim McGraw’s Tour for the Troops concert at Camp Pendleton. Heil says it was the gig of a lifetime.
“Not many bands get to say they opened for Tim McGraw,” Heil said. “The base told us that we played in front of 15,000 people, which was incredible and one of those experiences you will never forget.”
Along with McGraw, The Silverados also have opened for the country duo Montgomery Gentry, as well as for John Michael Montgomery. Heil attributes showmanship, professionalism and stellar harmonies to his band being chosen for such big opportunities. He says the members strive to deliver dynamic renditions of the hits of contemporary country music stars such as Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town.
“Since we have two female and two male singers, that gives us a lot of flexibility with our harmonies,” said Heil. “And that is really one of our main strengths. We pattern ourselves on Little Big Town, which has an incredible vocal sound. It takes a lot of work and talent to be able to sing like they do.”
In addition to country music, The Silverados also perform classic rock songs by Journey, the Beatles and the Eagles. He says his group’s fans seem to appreciate hearing the hits from the ’60s and ’70s that have been an influence for much of today’s country music.
“We’ve learned that people want to hear what’s popular now, so we keep close tabs on what’s on the radio today,” said Heil. “But classic rock never goes out of style and our band really enjoys bringing some of that to our fans as well.”
For more information about The Silverados, visit www.thesilverados.com.