desert heart
Paul Wilson -Paul Wilson got started in music as a teenager when his sister bought a Harmony guitar and showed him a few chords. They sang together in church for several years. He learned the rest by listening to the radio. Paul played country music in high school but when he got married, his music took a backseat. He got into bluegrass music in 1989 and continued playing the guitar and started learning the mandolin and banjo. He played in 'BlueGraz Express' for eleven years, the 'Wild Bunch' for five years and now in 'Desert Heart' singing lead and harmony.
Paul and Bonieta Shuler - Paul & Bonieta Shuler both grew up surrounded by music and good family harmony. Paul has been in bluegrass since 1954 and plays mandolin, guitar, banjo and bass. He gave private music lessons for years prior to moving to Arizona. Bonieta was introduced to Bluegrass in 1971 and plays bass and rhythm guitar. Both sing lead and harmonies and sang for a time with 'The Shenandoans' in Washington State. The Shulers also had a family band in Washington State called 'Down Home Gospel'. After moving to Arizona they had bands called 'Son Valley Singers', 'Harmony Breeze' and a family band simply called 'The Shuler Family Band.'
Tom and Sue McCellan - In 1974 Tom invited Sue to join 'Publicans and Sinners,' a West Virginia gospel bluegrass band. As a folk guitar player, Sue learned bluegrass guitar from Tom who shortly joined a band featuring Missy Rains of current bluegrass fame. 'The Stonegate Seven' brought Sue and Tom together again, as did wedding bells. After taking years off from playing bluegrass to raise their family, 'Cottonwood Creek in the Dallas area brought tight harmonies and finger picking back to the focus of any extra time they had. While Tom auditioned for 'Ellis County Bluegrass,' Sue sang along and was offered a spot as well. Three years with this group entertained every region of Texas, parts of Oklahoma, and included a live performance at the Midnight Jamboree in Nashville, Tennessee. 'Southern Sounds of Grass' picked up when, due to health issues of a member, 'Ellis County Bluegrass' ended. Moving west to be closer to family in Arizona and California, 'The McClellan Family Band' includes their son, Dave and daughter, Emily. 'Desert Heart' extended a welcome so the music continues!
Paul and Bonieta Shuler - Paul & Bonieta Shuler both grew up surrounded by music and good family harmony. Paul has been in bluegrass since 1954 and plays mandolin, guitar, banjo and bass. He gave private music lessons for years prior to moving to Arizona. Bonieta was introduced to Bluegrass in 1971 and plays bass and rhythm guitar. Both sing lead and harmonies and sang for a time with 'The Shenandoans' in Washington State. The Shulers also had a family band in Washington State called 'Down Home Gospel'. After moving to Arizona they had bands called 'Son Valley Singers', 'Harmony Breeze' and a family band simply called 'The Shuler Family Band.'
Tom and Sue McCellan - In 1974 Tom invited Sue to join 'Publicans and Sinners,' a West Virginia gospel bluegrass band. As a folk guitar player, Sue learned bluegrass guitar from Tom who shortly joined a band featuring Missy Rains of current bluegrass fame. 'The Stonegate Seven' brought Sue and Tom together again, as did wedding bells. After taking years off from playing bluegrass to raise their family, 'Cottonwood Creek in the Dallas area brought tight harmonies and finger picking back to the focus of any extra time they had. While Tom auditioned for 'Ellis County Bluegrass,' Sue sang along and was offered a spot as well. Three years with this group entertained every region of Texas, parts of Oklahoma, and included a live performance at the Midnight Jamboree in Nashville, Tennessee. 'Southern Sounds of Grass' picked up when, due to health issues of a member, 'Ellis County Bluegrass' ended. Moving west to be closer to family in Arizona and California, 'The McClellan Family Band' includes their son, Dave and daughter, Emily. 'Desert Heart' extended a welcome so the music continues!
