Click on the band member below to read their biography and learn more about the members of our band.

 

 

Mike Heil

Mike started playing guitar in junior high school. Later in college he played with a small acoustic combo called "Sunset". Fast forward to 1992 and Mike started playing guitar with the worship team at New Hope Community Church in Alta Loma, CA. At New Hope, he was asked to put a country band together for a Valentines banquet. Mike did so and the rest is history.

Mike was influenced by Classic Rock of the 60s and 70s. He turned to country in the 80s because of the lyrics, harmonies, and fun of country music.

The Silverados started playing at coffee shops and street fairs and the band was on their way.

As the founding member of The Silverados, Mike has worked diligently over the past 19 years to advance the band in the community and Southern California. "The chemistry of the band is fantastic and it is still great fun after 19 years together," says Mike.

When not playing with The Silverados, Mike owns a small business and the band is a nice break from the rigors of running a company.

Mike lives in Alta Loma with his wife and 15 year old daughter and has 2 daughters up and out of the house at 31 and 29 years old.

 

Doug Hanks

Doug formed his first band when he was twelve and never looked back!

An original member of The Silverados, he sings and plays lead guitar. Raised on Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, Doug's upbringing 30 miles north of Bakersfield established solid roots in country music. Later, The Beatles, Larry Norman, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne rounded out his folk-rock influences. He is also an active member of the Nashville Songwriters Association, International.

Blue Sky Sliding is Doug's newest CD release-- a mixture of country and pop. Get it on iTunes!

A veteran of the stage, his 1983 release, "Walking in the Father's Love" received extensive airplay in the U.S. and Canada. It featured Joe English on drums (home from playing with Paul McCartney & Wings). He has also published songs with Maranatha! Music. Doug also leads worship at Hillside Community Church in Alta Loma, CA.

When he is not playing music, Doug teaches 6th grade, but then he plays music again to relax.

What does he like about being a Silverado? The free water at the Concerts in the Park. Mmmmm! Delicioso!

 

Scott Van Tine

Scott has been into music since he was plinking on a neighbor's piano at the tender age of 6. Surrounded and influenced by classical and contemporary music on his dad's stereo hi-fi reel to reel he developed a deep love of all musical genres. Not to be limited by his classical roots he grew to love folk, country, Jazz, big-band, and of course with the arrival of his teens, rock and roll. Beethoven and Bach were now intermingled with British invasion bands as well as the American bands of the 60's and 70's such as the Doors, Santana, CCR, Chicago, CSN&Y, etc. (He even enjoys occasional metal bands).

Since giving his life to Christ in 1970 he has always lent his guitar skills to leading worship in various churches, home groups, and bands he has been involved with. It was as a guest worship leader invited to a home study that he even met his future wife. Although primarily a guitar player, he also plays piano, banjo, mandolin, violin (bluegrass fiddle) and anything else with strings. In the 80's he started playing bass when there was a need in his present church and has stuck with it ever since.

It was in 1993 that he found himself working as a machinist at the same company as band member Steve who happened to be there also. Steve asked him if he would like to try out for the Silverados since their bass player was leaving. Although a little nervous at first he played with them in their next gig, fit right in, and was accepted and welcomed as an official Silverado and has been on the journey with them now for the last 17 years and has enjoyed every moment of it.

Scott lives in Upland, Calif. with his wife and has 2 daughters and is hoping soon to be a grandparent.

 

Julie Wuertz

When she was growing up her dad always told her she should be a country singer… who knew!

Julie was born and raised in Southern California. She grew up going to a large Baptist Church with a great music program. She got to sing, act, go on tours and even record children's albums. Though she is from the 80's generation, her musical roots go much further than that. She grew up listening to Tanya Tucker, Glen Campbell, James Taylor, CS&N, and the Eagles. She still loves music with great harmonies today.

Julie has been with the Silverados since the beginning. She still loves performing at all of the different venues. Julie says, " One of the best things at the Concerts in the Parks is having all of the girls come up and sing with us for a song. What a blast!" For her the Silverados is more than a band, it's a family.

When Julie isn't hanging with the band, she is with her husband and 2 (nearly grown) children. She and her family live in Chino and she works for a great local escrow company in Claremont. And, of course, you can still find her singing on a Sunday morning at Pomona First Baptist, the same church she grew up in.

 

Julie Stewart

Starting as just a toddler singing church songs to performing all over Southern California, music and singing has always been one of the greatest passions of Julie's life.

Having two musical parents, there was much inspiration to be found, whether it be her mom singing worship songs around the house or watching her father pursue his dream by writing his own music and performing with his band. Julie's love for country music came early from listening to her dad's band play old country and classic rock.

Julie has been a part of a music group all through elementary school, high school, and college. She's also a part of the worship team at her church. Some of her musical influences from early on to present are, Dolly Parton, Elvis, Crystal Lewis, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, and Carrie Underwood. Julie also loves musical theater almost as much as singing country music. She loves to see her favorite shows and become moved and inspired whenever they are touring in the area.

When Julie is not performing with the band, she keeps people looking good as a hairstylist in La Verne and taking care of her little girl. Julie and her husband live in North Fontana with her young daughter and teenage step-daughter.

Being a part of The Silverados the last several years has been such a gift for Julie. She gets to do what she loves best which is perform and entertain people with the talent that God gave her. She loves everyone in the band and is so grateful for the friendships she has found with them.

 

Ray Ochoa

Ray started banging on the drums at the young age of four years old. He hails from a family with a strong musical background that trails back to Gospel roots in Georgia.

He studied percussion and played in the drum line in high school as well as competed in many "solo and ensemble" contests. He advanced to the state finals several times.

Ray studied music education, drums, and percussion at Midwestern State University in Texas and has performed in numerous types of bands. He is able to play multiple genres which include: Rock, Funk, R&B, Jazz, Big band, Fusion, and yes COUNTRY.

He enjoys playing on his church's worship team and working as an instructor at the church's annual Music Arts Camp. His musical philosophy is "One should continually study music and practice his/her instrument because the learning process never ends."

He is most proud of his musical family. His wife sings, his son is an accomplished guitar player, and his daughter sings, plays several instruments, and is passionate about musical theater.