Established in 1997, Shilo has performed stages all over the Midwest and shared the stage with many well known Country Music Artists. In the past 10 years Shilo has performed with Toby Keith, Gary Alan, Charlie Daniels, Jack Ingram, Diamond Rio, Phil Vasar, Lee Greenwood, Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols and many more. In 2004 Shilo was named the best country band in Indiana after performing in the Colgate Country Showdown at the state finals during the Indiana State Fair. Shilo thrills audiences with it’s style of High Energy, Hard Driving Country Music at fairs, festivals and at some of the Midwest’s largest country music venues. Priding themselves on their live show, Shilo keeps one of the busiest schedules of any regional country act, playing as many as 100 shows a year. Shilo is a five piece group consisting of Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo, Bass and Drums. Come early, stay late and prepare to be Shiloized. Members include: Bryan Brager: Lead Vocals/Guitar, Mike Stoner: Lead Guitar/Vocals, Travis Gow: Fiddle/Guitar/Mandolin/Banjo/Vocals, Doug Chopson Jr.: Drums and Randy Blankenship: Bass.
Bryan Brager, Lead Singer
Some of Bryan's earliest musical influences were going to church with his
grandparents and singing along with the hymns. Growing up, Bryan's Dad
would have country radio on or have one of many of the greats' cassette
tapes in such as; George Strait, Keith Whitley, and Hank Williams Jr.
Other influences span many other music genres such as R&B, Classic rock,
Alternative, Classical, and even Jazz. He was in choir in school starting
in 7th grade, all the way up through one year of college as a music voice
major. There were even a few musical theater credits added to his resume.
Through all of this, music has developed into a passion for making music,
performing, and pouring his heart and soul into every note.

"I just feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to make a living
doing what I love. Thank you all of you Shiloheads, from the bottom of my
heart for sticking by us, and coming out show after show to make all of
this possible." –Bryan
Mike Stoner, Lead Guitar
The only original founding member of Shilo, Mike has enjoyed 10 great
years with the band. Mike serves as lead guitar player, vocalist and band
leader for Shilo. “Music has always been in my life. I saw Buck Owens in
concert when I was 4 or 5 and was hooked from then on.” Mike took his
first guitar lesson at the age of 6 and by age 8 was playing with family
friends at area functions and parties. “While the other kids were out
playing, I was the kid with the adults that played guitar or fiddle, and
we would play all the old classic country songs till three or four in the
morning.” By age 15 Mike was playing professionally in local bar bands
every weekend. “I pretty much spent my high school career in the bars!”
“My musical hero’s are many, but I really respect the work of greats like
Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs.” “My heart lies with the roots of Country
Music, and where it came from. I love the Opry and all that it stands for.
I can’t imagine what an honor it would be to someday be invited to perform
the sacred stage of the Grand Ole Opry. That would be the high point of my
career. Touring, charts, records all would be great, but the Opry, that’s
the top!” Mike resides in Northern Indiana with his lovely wife Amy and
two daughters.
Travis Gow, Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo, Guitar and more
Travis’s first venture into music was not with country, rather in
bluegrass. Travis honed in his fiddle, mandolin, banjo and guitar skills
by playing with several bluegrass bands and making appearances at
bluegrass festivals across the state. Travis and Mike lived in the same
town, less than a mile apart for years, but it wasn’t until a chance
meeting at a music store that a friendship formed and soon after Travis
joined Shilo. Travis loves the outdoors and riding his Harley when not
making music. “Music has always been a big part of my life since I was a
child. I hope to someday be able to support a family with just playing
music. "If you love your job you will never work a day in your life.”
Travis lives in Northern Indiana with his wife Tiffanie and his daughter.
Doug Chopson Jr. , Drummer
Doug was born with music in his blood. He grew up listening to band
practice at the house every week. He began playing the drums at age 11,
when he asked his dad to teach him how to play a beat. His first gig was
2 weeks later at a family party, playing several songs with the band.
Doug played in every school band he could participate in, including
concert band, marching band, jazz band, pep band, and show choir band. He
started playing in clubs at the age of 19, playing genres ranging from
alternative, to heavy metal, to country. Doug’s musical influences
include Neil Pert, Kenny Arnoff, Lars Ulrich, and Mike Portney.
Randy Blankenship, Bass Guitar
My love of music came early in life, my father, Leonard, played bass and
mother, Pauline, sang in a band called Night Riders. Many nights were
filled with music and laughter when they held weekly practices at our
home. I was 11 years old when I started bugging my Dad to teach me the
bass. Then it happened, I was 20 years old the first time I stood on a
stage, (a Moose Lodge on New Years Eve) and played my bass for people
other than my family. From then on I was hooked. Rare was a time I wasn’t
either playing in clubs or practicing in a garage somewhere. Over the
years I have played the golden oldies, old rock, old country, and modern
country. When I'm not out on the road playing music I am about as big a
homebody as anyone can be. I love spending time with my wife of 21 years
and our daughter and two sons, and yes even my granddaughter.

SHILO is booked by:
NEA Sound
Norman Curtner
P.O.Box 16885
Jonesboro, AR 72403
(870) 738-9414
(870) 738-9415 Fax