Joe Vegas Advertisement

The Nugget brings something novel to Pahrump every time it signs a musical group to perform. This time is no different. The Joe Vegas Band will perform from 6 to 10 p.m., Nov. 9-10 at the stage bar.

The name Vegas has nothing to do with Las Vegas. He's originally from Colorado and born Joseph Villegas to the Pueblo Indian Nation. He adopted the shorter version for stage performances.

His style of music isn't "tribal." In fact, one of his talents is interpreting many styles of music and he has shared that talent with some big names in the music world.

Before he stepped out on his own, Vegas performed with Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Guy Clark and The Dillards, to name a few.

His choice of style is more toward rock than country, and the title track from his CD, "I Came Here to Play," has a bit of a Skynyrd attitude mixed with a Freddy Fender sound.

Of his band, Vegas said, "I'm lucky to have some of my very best friends as members of the band, and they just happen to be some of California's finest musicians."

Rhys Clark is on drums and has kept the beat for Billy Joel, Freddy Fender and Hoyt Axton. Rhys is the "driving force behind the band's energy," said Vegas.

Dave James on keyboards and guitar is a "whole show unto himself," said Vegas. "He has a high energy approach to solos and rhythm that our audiences love."

Art Holland has played with many bands over the years and "his pyrotechnics on his guitar are truly a crowd-pleaser."

The Joe Vegas Band is one of the most versatile bands on the live music circuit. Vegas said, "We have a way of electrifying our audiences with the absolute joy we are experiencing on stage."

To hear sample tracks of their CD or get more information go to www.thejoevegasband.com.