Released 2007

From our Purveyor of Music and Poetry:
What an honor it is to have Eli Barsi and her husband, John, with us Friday, May 28 at 7:00 pm. We guarantee you a fun filled evening of great music, poetry, and Western hospitality. Eli performed with pals Joni Harms and Doris Daley last August for our inaugural Music OutWest Presents evening, we delighted to welcome good friend Eli back again!

Local singer, songwriter, and good friend, John Bergstrom, will be opening for Eli, come on down!

Here's partial lyrics from my personal favorite track:
  "...the red bench was Trigger. My side kick was the chair. 
   That's Hoppy on the TV screen huntin' for the bandit's lair
   ...Gene Autry on Saturdays...Roy Rogers after school
   Red Rider on the radio...The Lone Ranger too"
  -Partial lyrics from Latchkey Cowboy

One of the things I enjoy most about my "work" is participating as an audience member at Western music and poetry performances. We are blessed to be located in an area that attracts many top Western musicians. What is really exciting is when you discover rich talent among your neighbors and friends. John Bergstrom is a local treasure. He is an active member of the local WMA chapter and can be heard at the local jam sessions held twice a month at a favorite (and terrific) Mexican restaurant, El Trocadero and faithfully participates in the monthly jam session held at the Autry National Center.

John writes and sings about the rich history of our area, the Santa Clarita Valley. The infamous Californio bandit, Tiburcio Vasquez, called this area home. The tragedy of the St. Francis Dam, and the loss of 500 lives, is the subject of another of his songs. John writes about what he knows, what has impacted him, and what has shaped our nation's history.

We are pleased to bring this local Western musician, and friend, to a national and international audience. Enjoy! 

From singer/songwriter John Bergstrom:
I'm a child of the west...the far west...Los Angeles. I'm a city kid who has always loved the open spaces. I was raised on cowboy movies and western displays at musems wherever I could find them.

A few years ago, I attended a concert performed by Michael Fleming's group, New West. There began my journey with the WMA (Western Music Association). I was invited to a Sunday jam and I began to learn and write Western music.

I've been involved with music all my life and have touched western music at various times. It's been these last few years, however, in which I focused on this form of traditional music to the exclusion of others. During this time, I played with two or three groups and began to write and work on my own CD, "Western State O'Mind." I look forward to the days ahead and plan to continue writing and performing and spreading the good news of western music. "Western State O'Mind" is a combination of original and traditional songs.

TRACK LISTING

1.   Tiburcio Vasquez
2.   1876 (A Poem)
3.   Western State O'Mind
4.   Streets of Laredo
5.   St. Francis Dam
6.   Springtime in Texas
7.   The Yellow Rose of Texas
8.   Old Paint
9.   Jesse James
10. The Red Rocks of Sedona
11.  Latchkey Cowboy
12.  Red River Valley
13.  Dogies' Lament
14.  Cowboy Waltz

Meet {>}John Bergstrom and read the inspiration behind each of his eight original songs on this, his first, release. John's newest release is {>}Throw Down the Box.