Celebrate cowboy poetry and music at Rhymers Rodeer

Staff Reports

The 22nd Annual Rhymers Rodeer is today and Saturday in the Carson Valley Inn's Shannon Ballroom with cowboy poetry, music, tales of the trail, stretch-the-truth yarns and good old-fashioned cowboy culture. Performing are cowboy poets Walt "Bimbo" Cheney, Rod McQueary and Janice Gilbertson. The Rush Creek Quartet provides cowboy music and the event is hosted by McAvoy Layne as Mark Twain.

The Rhymers Rodeer weekend includes a cocktail show on Friday, an open mic session on Saturday morning and a dinner show Saturday night. The Friday show is $25 with no-host cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday dinner show is $50 with no-host cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:15 p.m. and show time at 7:45 p.m. An open mic session is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Rhymers Rodeer ticket and hotel reservation information available at www.cvinn.com or through the Carson Valley Inn Sales Department, 783-6679.

Performers in the Rhymers Rodeer:

McAvoy Layne, known for presenting the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain, is host and emcee.

Janice Gilbertson is a three-time performer at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko and was recently awarded a Spur Finalist Award from the Western Writers of America. Her poem, "Maybe It's Your Callin'" is displayed in the May/June issue of I M Cowgirl Magazine. Gilbertson rides for a mounted search and rescue unit, takes reining lessons and trail rides wherever she can.

Walt "Bimbo" Cheney began writing poetry 40 years ago, behind bucking chutes in rodeos. When he and other cowboys had a day off, they would gather at a park in Elko and tell each other their poems. He has been a part of all 25 National Cowboy Poetry gatherings in Elko and has recited and performed throughout the country.

Rod McQueary was once a featured cowboy poet on the Johnny Carson Show. He and fellow Vietnam vet Bill Jones collaborated in the"Blood Trails" book of poems. McQueary worked on music videos, the film "Cowboy Stories," and wrote a syndicated newspaper column.

Cowboy music by Rush Creek. The band is Randy Pollard, John McLain, Paul Carelli and Charlie Edsall.

Randy Pollard has been thrilling crowds with his championship fiddling around Sierra campfires or on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry for more than three decades. Polland twice earned the title of Grand Masters Champion in Nashville, a feat only three others have achieved, which earned him two appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. Pollard's titles include the 1986 Grand National Champion, 5-time California State Champion, and 4-time Nevada State Champion.

John McLain sings and plays from the heart. With his yodeling and smooth as Tennessee whiskey voice, he sings you a story and you'd hear sitting around a campfire. In 1992, McLain and Pollard began playing as a duo in the Reno, Carson City and Lake Tahoe. Previously, McLain sang lead for the Nevada Band and performed for events including the Governor's Inaugural Ball and Nevada Day chili feeds.

Paul Carelli excels with guitars, shotguns and Navy jets. Carelli taught himself to play guitar in 1977 and has performed with many bands, on land and at sea. Carelli spends much of his time flying Navy jets, teaching other aviators how to fly and guiding pilots to a safe landing on a "floating postage stamp," aka aircraft carrier.

Charlie Edsall began playing guitar at the age 9 and also plays bass and banjo. As a writer, his "Cold Virginia Rain" is on "Bluegrass Prime Cuts, Vol. 69" from Pinecastle Records, and has been recorded by Josh Williams and performed by Rhonda Vincent & The Rage on the Grand Ole Opry. Edsall performed and toured with Feather River, High Strung and Ron Spears & Within Tradition.