Music in full swing at RV parks

Recreational vehicle parks can be swinging places in the winter months. And there's not just swing. There's country western, rock 'n' roll, operatic harmonies and instrumentals too.

And these acts aren't just for winter visitors. Year-rounders can catch them as well.

Though the winter months are winding down, you can find plenty of concerts from traveling musicians as well as a few who loved Yuma so much, they now call it home.

These are some of the acts playing around town through the month of March, so gather your things and get ready to swing, or hand-jive, whatever your thing.

Call of The West, consisting of married duo Jeanne Cahill and Jerome Campbell traveled to Yuma from Oklahoma after fellow performers Tex and Mary invited them down to local RV parks.

Three winters later, the duo of Call of The West, perform with their distinct style of exquisite harmonies, top-notch musicianship and on-stage fun that adds spice to their western tunes, country standards and cowboy poetry, Campbell said.

"I mainly play guitar in our shows, sometimes harmonica. But Jeanne plays the mandolin, guitar, harmonic, concertina, which is like a little bitty accordion and the steel guitar," Campbell said.

The duo regularly perform at western music festivals and travel across the country exposing people to what they consider the music that helped build the country.

To learn more about Call of The West, check out their Web site at www.callofthewest.net

Sallyanne Bachman is an opera singer who can sing country tunes and is now singing for Yuma crowds.

Bachman grew up in Albuquerque, N.M., and graduated with a master's degree in music from Utah State University.

"I knew I loved to sing, but when I won (a) scholarship I (realized) that I could use my voice on a professional level," she said.

After teaching music for a year, Bachman went right into professional musical theatre and then to television and stage with entertainers like Bob Hope and Danny Thomas.

"I love all kinds of music, but I love to entertain in front of a live audience," said Bachman.

Bachman has played all over the world including Egypt, Europe, Russia and Canada singing opera, pop, country and theatre tunes.

Now Bachman enjoys playing for Yuma audiences whom she says are retired senior citizens.

"I love to sing to seniors because now I'm a senior. Their kind of music is my kind of music," she said.

Californian Jay Blue's music career started in 1968 with the world famous Chess records in Chicago. Blue, a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter who plays the guitar, flute, keyboards, bass and drums, could be called a one-man band as he regularly plays along to recorded tracks of himself while he switches up instruments between bars of songs.

"Playing in Yuma is just so much fun, exchanging energy with the spectators is unadulterated fun," Blue said.

He plays almost every kind of music that exists including jazz, rock, blues, country, funk and big band swing and has a setlist that includes cover songs of hits like "Fly Me To The Moon," "Endless Love," "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Smooth Operator," "Brickhouse" and "Proud Mary," to name a few.

The accomplished musician from Lake County, Calif., has been a regular in the music scene in Yuma since his first performance in January 2007.

Jay Blue performs every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yuma Palms Regional Center in the Village Area in front of the Harkins Theaters and every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cocopah Casino.

For booking information call 1-707-995-2620.

Michael Shaw is a one piece musical act who enjoys playing around the Yuma area.

Shaw plays the right hand keyboard, the left hand key bass, an electric guitar and he sings as well.

"I love what I'm doing. I retired earlier and I love music, and I will do it till I drop," he said.

Shaw's music is mostly country and western tunes, along with pop, classic rock and roll, and easy listening.

"The (Yuma) crowds are fantastic," he said. "They are the crowds I've been looking for. I think it is a great combination... playing for all the winter visitors that are in Yuma. I enjoy playing for them."

For more information on Michael Shaw go to his Web site at www.themichael shawshow.com.

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Jennifer Lovell can be reached at JLovell@yumasun.com or 539-6849

Stefani Guerrero Soucy can be reached at SSoucy@yumasun.com or 539-6857.

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SALLYANNE BACHMAN YUMA AREA PERFORMANCES

-Feb. 26, Sun Dance RV Park, 13502 North Frontage Road, at 7 p.m.

-Feb. 29, Shangri-La RV Resort, 10498 North Frontage Road, at 7 p.m.

-March 1, Sunrise RV Resort, 1950 E. 24th St., at 7 p.m.

-March 4, Bonita Mesa RV Park, 9400 North Frontage, at 7 p.m.

-March 7, Cactus Gardens RV Park, 10657 S. Ave. 9E, at 7 p.m.

-March 8, Arizona West RV Park, 6825 E. 32nd St., at 7 p.m.

MICHAEL SHAW YUMA AREA PERFORMANCES

-Feb. 28, Arizona Market Place, 3351 S. Ave. 4E, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

-March 1, Yuma Mesa RV Park, 5990 32nd St., from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

-March 2, Crazy Earl's, 11274 S. Fortuna Road, from noon to 3 p.m.

-March 7, Suni Sands RV Park, 1960 E. 32nd St., from 7 to 10 p.m.

-March 8, Araby RV Park, 6649 E. 32nd St., from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

-March 16, Arizona Market Place, 3351 S. Ave 4E, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-March 22, Araby RV Park, 6649 E. 32nd St, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

CALL OF THE WEST'S YUMA AREA PERFORMANCES

-Feb. 25, Rivers Edge RV Resort, 401 1st Ave. Winterhaven, Calif., from 7 to 9 p.m.

-Feb. 27, Shangri-La RV Resort, 10498 North Frontage Road, from 7 to 9 p.m.

-Feb. 28, Friendly Acres RV Resort, 2779 W. 8th St., from 7 to 9 p.m.

-March 1, Arizona West RV Resort, 1210 W. 3rd St., from 7 to 9 p.m.

-March 3, Fortuna De Oro RV Resort, 13650 North Frontage Road, from 7 to 9 p.m.

-March 5, Desert Paradise RV Resort, 10537 S. Avenue 9E, from 7 to 9 p.m.

JAY BLUE'S YUMA AREA PERFORMANCES

-March 1, Desert Holiday RV Park, 3601 S. 4th Ave., from 5 to 9 p.m.

-March 10, River's Edge RV Resort, 401 1st Ave., Winterhaven, Calif. from 7 to 10 p.m.

-March 13, Bonita Mesa RV Resort, 9400 North Frontage Road, from 6 to 9 p.m.

-March 15, Arizona Market Place, 3351 S. Avenue 4E, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-March 15, Julieanna's Patio Cafe,1951 W. 25th St., from 7 to 10 p.m.

-March 19, Bonita Mesa RV Resort, 9400 North Frontage Road, from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

-March 22, Desert Holiday RV Park, 3601 S. 4th Ave., from 7 to 10 p.m.