On Sept. 22, “Bringing Them Home” brought out tremendous local talent and nearly three hundred attendees at the tenth annual music review this past Saturday night. The concert benefited the Community Housing and Shelter Services of Modesto, an organization that helps struggling families in Stanislaus County, and raised nearly $7,500 by the end of the night. Though the issue of homelessness was ever-present, it was the music from the performers that really connected to the audience.
SoulHeart kicked off the show with a bang. Alex Lucero (vocals/guitar), who had a soulful, gritty voice, glazed over a minor technical difficulty with his microphone and continued singing. He and Jeremy Shatswell (drums) performed their original song “Beginning Where We Ended,” which showed off Shatswell’s skills on the drums.
Stanley Mackey, compared to a Motown artist by Master of Ceremonies Fred Miller, sang church gospel songs. Krista Joy Serpa’s spirited personality shined through her performance, which included a cover of the show tune “Don’t Rain On My Parade.”
Max Minardi, a 2010 graduate of Central Catholic High School of Modesto, performed songs that bridged the gap between the generations. His first piece was an acoustic cover of “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. However, he really got the audience pumping with a funky cover of “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. He lightened the mood when he told the audience he was reading the lyrics off an iPad resting by his feet.
Next up was Francesca Heyward, who has been a favorite performer of the past two years. The audience hushed in anticipation of her voice. She performed a cover of “Oh Darling” by the Beatles and a medley of “You Are My Sunshine” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” A pin drop could be heard as the audience listened intently to her voice, which could rival that of Norah Jones and Adele as it rang through the walls of the State Theatre.
Anthony Edwards, who serves as the stage manager for “Bringing Them Home,” and Alex Brody followed. Edwards, who has played guitar and piano for 44 years, performed a cover of “Yesterday” by the Beatles with Brody, Serpa, Heyward and Carleigh’s Angels. The crowded stage contained many performers, but their voices were very harmonious with one another.
The final act of the night was Simply So. The three-man group came out wearing sparkly suit jackets and telling jokes that got the audience smiling. Their first piece was a slower jam, before they announced they were going to “party this house down.” The audience danced on their feet to a cover of “Carwash” and “Ladies’ Night,” and Simply So closed off a great night of spectacular performances.
“I loved the show,” Modesto resident Ramona Gilbert said. “Each artist had their own presentation that drew the crowd together. It was an awesome experience.”