Comstock Cowboys to play for auction

By Karel Ancona-Henry

Special to the Nevada Appeal

Get your dancing shoes on and prepare for a downhome good time, as David John & The Comstock Cowboys are the featured entertainment for the The Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada's 17th Annual Kids Auction & World's Greatest BBQ.

The event takes place 4-11 p.m. Saturday at the Pony Express Pavilion in Mills Park.

Proceeds from the evening, which includes dinner, dancing and entertainment, live and silent auctions and full-service bar, go to continuing operations and staffing expenses of Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada.

"We are asked to do a lot of benefits, but still need to pay the bills," John said. "We believe you gotta help others, and find a cause that's worthy ... and this is one."

John, who began playing music as a little boy, came to Nevada in 1990, following a successful career in New York and Nashville, respectively.

"I had started in rock 'n' roll in New York and before coming to Nevada was a songwriter on Music Row where I had started doing country music," John said.

He had enjoyed success as both an artist and songwriter, but wanted something new and less political in his life.

"I had done music all my life, and the business is very up and down," he said. "Western music is different from other music, because it isn't trendy. It's about a way of life, and I feel very comfortable in it.

"And i enjoy the style of music I'm writing and performing and can really be expressive rather than thinking (commercially) all the time."

The decision to pursue Western music has rewarded John and his band with years of performing and recording, far exceeding the "shelf-life" of three to four years, often seen in country music.

Based in Virginia City, where he calls home, David John & The Comstock Cowboys has cultivated a solid fan base and a life that is less hectic. The band is comprised of Dale Poune on lead guitar, Rick Hammel on base, Rich Liska on Dobro, steel guitar and keyboards, Mike Ansoteque on percussion and Robert "Doc" Quam on fiddle.

When they're not touring, the band plays 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at The Bucket of Blood Saloon in V.C.

"We get to play for people who come from all over the world, and have a new audience every week," John said.

It's also a built-in distribution source for their 11 CDs and DVD.

For John, brining the Western experience to others is part of his joy.

"I guess it's the uniqueness of the way we dress - that's a strict rule with the band in period costumes," he said. "And our music is honest. We play to the ears of the people, and our music can be heard and has heart."

This, combined with their years of experience has also earned them respect, John said, adding that it always thrills him when the younger crowd also takes an interest.

"Seeing us perform is often some kids' first exposure to our style of music and they really enjoy it and respond to it, which is rewarding," he said. "And when our fans frequent our shows and support us, that's pretty awesome, too.

"Our audience knows the Comstock Cowboys will be there, always trying to be the best we can and giving 100 percent."

Tickets for the Kids Auction & World's Greatest BBQ cost $100 each, and are available by calling the club at 775-882-8820.

For more information about David John & The Comstock Cowboys, visit comstockcowboys.com.