Rhymers Rodeer at Carson Valley Inn on Nov. 19-20

Staff Reports

Cowboy poetry, lively music, tales of the trail, stretch-the-truth yarns and good old-fashioned cowboy fun are part of the 23rd annual Rhymers Rodeer on Nov. 19 and 20 in the Valley Ballroom of the Carson Valley Inn in Minden.

This year's artists include cowboy poets Jim King and Jerry Bell, cowboy musician Ron Scofield and western humorist McAvoy Layne as Mark Twain.

The Rhymers Rodeer weekend includes a cocktail show Friday, an open mic session for all comers Saturday and a dinner show Saturday night.

The Friday evening show is $30 with no-host cocktails at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Saturday dinner show is $55 with no-host cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and show time at 7:30 p.m.

An open mic session is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. All performances are non-smoking.

Jerry Bell has been working cow camps and guiding for more than 30 years. He performs throughout the West in Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Montana and California. Bell is a member of the Wind River Poets, Idaho Poets & Poets of Utah Associations.

Ron Scofield is known for commitment for keeping the old American West alive through his wagon and carriage building, artwork, architecture and music.

Jim King performances throughout the United States and Canada are exemplified by his statement, "Cowboy poetry is the real life of a cowboy and a rancher. There is nothing Hollywood or drugstore cowboy about it."

For 20 years, in more than 2,000 performances from Leningrad University in Russia to C-Span, McAvoy Layne has preserved the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain, the Wild Humorist of the Pacific Slope.

Rhymers Rodeer advanced ticket information at www.carsonvalleyinn.com or from the Carson Valley Inn Sales Department, (775) 783-6679. The event is produced by Kay Fanning and Jim King.