Western music and stories at the BAC

By Sam Bauman

Appeal Entertainment Editor

Sawmill Road, a collection of fine bluegrass musicians, plays the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall Saturday at 7:30 p.m. They will be joined by noted cowboy poet Richard Elloyan for a full night of Western music and stories.

Sawmill Road is the big noise this weekend, a bundle of strings-sound walking and well on the way to national recognition with their first CD on the stands, "Sawmill Road 1."

Out of California, the five players (Steve Spurgin bass; Bruce Johnson, fiddle; Dick Brown, banjo; Mark Miracle, mandolin; Charlie Edsall, guitar) already have a solid fan base, as the Web site shows with comments from listeners.

With fans like that, this has to be a musical experience worth a detour from Reno shows. You can enjoy a slice of the group's music at their Web site at www.sawmillroad.net.

Also on the bill, Richard Elloyan is a singer, songwriter and cowboy poet. Writing his own music and poetry he captures the spirit of the West and those who live the western lifestyle.

Raised in Virginia City, Elloyan grew up surrounded by the romantic stories and characters that shaped the growth of Nevada and California. Using the backdrop of the high desert, Elloyan brings to life the images and philosophies of the cowboy and those who are cowboys at heart.

Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for seniors and students. Call 883-1976.