Seeking Just Us in Music
Local duo plays tunes that 'touch your heart'

Shari Analla sings while Neal Baker plays guitar at a practice session in the couple's kitchen. The musical duo, Just Us, performs at functions, restaurants, dinner parties and banquets. Their music geared toward more mature audiences. (Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent)

By Gaye Brown de Alvarez
Staff Writer

GALLUP — When Shari Analla and Neal Baker were at Gallup High School in 1973, neither dreamed they would finally hook up 25 years later, fall in love and form a musical duo.

But that's what happened.

They were high school sweethearts, but as high school sweethearts often do, they broke up, fell out of love, married other people, had kids, grew up and lived separate lives.

But they both stayed in Gallup, having been born and raised here. So when they both found themselves single in their mid-40s, they resumed their high school romance.

And while they're doing that? Well, they decided to start a band, too.

Just Us, the duo formed by Analla, 45, and Baker, 46, has been singing at banquets, dinner parties and restaurants for a little over a year now. They perform "music that touches your heart," with songs by Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Loggins and Messina, Ann Murray and Berdie Higgins, among others.

They both have musical backgrounds. Baker was in the high school band, and Analla was in the chorus and a high school pop group called the Bengalaires in 1977-78. These were the days back when Kent Northup was the chorus director and Ken Holloway was the band director. Analla's father, Jimmie Analla was in the Wingate Valley Boys and Analla's parents and Baker's parents, Lloyd and Shirley Baker, "are pretty much the presidents of our fan club," Analla said.

They actively seek gigs, mostly by word of mouth, and they take pride that their music is not too loud or obtrusive and they say "people enjoy our music as background music."

"Shari takes her cordless mic around and sings eye to eye with people in the audience," said Neal, who admitted their music is geared to a more-mature crowd. No, they don't do any Spanish music, but Shari said "Neal is a Slav, so we do one polka song."

They also have a Christmas repertoire and can put on a two-hour Christmas program.

Baker pre-records most of the band sounds on an electronic keyboard and then he accompanies his pre-recordings with a 12-string guitar. Shari does vocals and when they're performing, they sound like they have an entire band behind them.

Until they "hit the big time," Analla is a travel agent at Professional Travel Services. Baker works for Financial Institution Sources. Between them they have five children and one grandchild.

For more information on Just Us call 505-722-0878 or 505-409-3628 or email them at: musicbyjustus@yahoo.com