STOCKTON – Zephyr is part of the G.K. Production’s stable of young musicians.

Gordon Kennedy, who is the owner and operator of G.K. Music, 572 Commerce Court, Manteca, is proud of his young band, with members ranging in age from 10 through 13.

 Zephyr drew plenty of attention from folks of all ages at Wednesday’s opening day of the San Joaquin County Fair, playing a variety of music during their afternoon set on the Community Stage.

“I’m not surprised,” Kennedy said. “They do that everywhere they play.”

On this day, they performed a catalogue of songs made famous by the likes of Led Zeppelin (Stairway to Heaven), Deep Purple (Smoke on the Water), Wild Cherry (Play That Funky Music), Nirvana (Smells Like Teen Spirit), and Beastie Boys (Fight For Your Right), to name a few.

“They play a little of everything,” said Kennedy, who organized this talented young group about two years ago.

His six-member ensemble consists of lead singer and guitarist Isaiah Ilog – who, at 13, is the oldest member of the group – saxophonist Warren Weichmann, bassist Lane Cadell, drummer Seth Ilog, and guitarists Joshua Astorga and Xach Wagner.

Seth Ilog and Wagner are both 10.

With the exception of Cadell, who is enrolled at El Portal Middle School in Escalon, the Zephyrs are made up of Manteca Unified youngsters.

Isaiah Ilog, who will be attending Manteca High in the fall, and his brother, Seth Ilog, are products of Shasta School.

Weichmann is looking forward to becoming an eighth-grade student at Lathrop Elementary.

Astorga and Wagner go to Veritas and Stella Brockman, respectively.

“Zephyr has been my personal project for the past two years,” said Kennedy. “Wait another five years – they should be off the hook.”

Zephyr recently competed in the 47th annual Hard Battle of the Bands in Hayward.

“They made it to the finals,” Kennedy said.

Altogether, he’s currently working with 16 bands, including Neon Ink and Façade, a progressive rock band that’s made quite an impression in the short time together.

A trio of young teenage female performers, Neon Ink is scheduled again to play at the fair, bringing the Motown sound to the Community Stage.
The San Joaquin County Fair, celebrating 150 years of good times, according to its theme, is open through Sunday, from noon to 10 p.m.
Cost is $9 adults, $5 children (kids age 5 and under are free). Parking is $5.

For more information, call 209-466-5739 or log on to www.sanjoaquinfair.com