There are few musicians in Pahrump who can say they've played with ten bands, especially ten of their own bands, but Mike Hickey keeps trying different combinations of local musicians and the latest crowd pleaser, Parrothead is the one he wants to take to Las Vegas.

Hickey is in his 50's and has spent the last 35 years "playing music for money." In that amount of time, he's performed with several well-received combinations of musical talent. The latest group, Road Work, spent the last four years providing weekend entertainment at the bar on top of Spring Mountain, and occasionally at local establishments. Always looking for something different, Hickey is again ready for a change.

Although gradual, Parrothead is eventually going to be that change. "I've always played Jimmy Buffett," said Hickey. I've been listening to him since the 70s."

The group of musicians playing as Parrothead has started on a Buffett song list, and if all goes well, the list will expand. When it does, Hickey wants to take the band to Las Vegas. "The market is there," he said. "And the money is there."

Putting a band together in a small town is a difficult challenge. There are some very talented musicians in Pahrump. Unfortunately, there aren't enough to go around. Many of the local bands share musicians.

For instance, Joe Willet, the Parrothead drummer, also plays with Dean West and the Smokin' Guns, so for Hickey to book a gig at one of the many dance bars in town, the Smokin' Guns must have the night off. The same is true with the bassist, Michael Paul. He plays with White Horse, and if White Horse has a gig somewhere, Paul can't play with Parrothead.

As in all bands, musicians come and go. Hickey recently lost "Jim," the bassist, to On Target, and is currently looking for someone suitable for that position, but he needs someone local. Hickey said, "All of the musicians have to be here in order to practice. It's not going to work if band members live all over the place."

The members of the current band definitely have the talent, and their experience and associations stand as a testament. It's no wonder Hickey wants to keep them together.

Michael Paul, affectionately known as "Tigger" has been playing as a lead and bass guitarist and drummer/percussionist for 27 years. He's performed with names like Johnny Lee, John Lee Hooker and Gary Morris. He also runs the RAVE recording studios in the Channel 41 building.

Joe Willet has drummed with bands that opened concerts for the Beach Boys, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Tommy James and the Shondells, The Charlie Daniels Band and Reba McIntyre. He's played behind childhood friend Dan Folgelberg and in other bands for Hank Williams Jr., Jerry Lee Lewis, Ronnie Milsap and Johnny Paycheck.

Hickey and different talent around town are usually playing somewhere, but it's not often the public can hear this particular combination of musicians. The band has two more venues after this weekend before Hickey said he's "going solo for awhile." One of those venues is a private party for Valley Electric Association employees and the other is New Year's Eve at Our Bar.

Parrothead, with their "laidback attitude on vacation" can be heard starting at 8 p.m., Saturday night, Dec. 1, at Our Bar, 3770 W. Bell Vista Road.