Cowboy poets come to town Saturday

When the Cardiac Cowboys take the stage at Saturday's ninth annual Cowboy Jubilee and Poetry benefit, they'll be decked out in Western shirts with logos from Viagra, Metamucil and Preparation H. Like world-class athletes with big-name sponsors, these "geezers" will be at the top of their game telling riotous stories and singing songs.

With all proceeds going to the new Carson-Tahoe Hospital Cancer Center, the annual event features yodeling, fast-paced fiddle and cowboy poetry to beat the band. In between the two shows folks can belly up to Ralph Marrone's barbecued tri-tip (360 pounds of which were donated by the Nevada Beef Council), 25 gallons of baked beans from Red's Old 395 Grill and Caesar salad with romaine lettuce donated by Scolari's. Held at the Carson City Community Center, the two poetry performances are slated for 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Cardiac Cowboys are Chris Isaacs from Arizona, Sunny Hancock from Oregon and Jesse Smith of California. These award-winning poets play both kinds of music -- Country and Western. Hancock was voted 2001 Cowboy Poet of the year by the Academy of Western Artists, Isaacs is a three-time winner of the AWA's Will Rogers award and Smith's song "Dollar" won the Traditional Western Song of the Year award for the Country Western Music Association.

Also performing Saturday will be Sourdough Slim. With a sort of 1940s Western film style, Slim plays accordion, guitar and harmonica while spouting free-style poetry, comedy and even yodeling.

Fiddler Randy Pollard will also perform, accompanied by guitarist John McLain. Pollard is a California Open Fiddle Champion who was touring at the age of 16.

All the performers have agreed to do a free show at the Carson Rehab Center today at 4:30 p.m.

"There's no sound system or anything they just do it in the lobby," said Delsye Mills who is organizing the poetry event for the ninth year.

She said there were about six people watching the first year they did that but now it's more like 30.

"It's really kind of turned into its own event."

The jubilee and poetry benefit is sponsored by the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Auxiliary. The group operates the Hospitality House, a four-bedroom house across from the hospital which can be used by families and loved ones of hospital patients. They also provide teddy bears for children in the hospital and offer five nursing scholarships each year.

There are two types of tickets available: The $25 "campfire" tickets which are reserved and the $20 "range" or general admission seats. Campfire tickets for the 8 p.m. show are sold out. Tickets for the barbecue are an extra $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 years of age of younger.

If You Go

What: Ninth annual Cowboy Jubilee and Poetry benefit

When: Saturday, March 8 one show at 4 p.m. another at 8 p.m.

Where: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Cost: $25 for "campfire" seats, $20 for "range" seats. Barbecue: $10 for adults, $5 for kids