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Live music: Nine-Toed Bob shows a dancin good time

by Cyndi PalmerSky-Hi Daily News

Nine-Toed Bob is a regular at The Lariat Saloon in Grand Lake. When hes not behind the bar entertaining the masses by passing them libations, he can be found putting his talents into his guitar, getting those people out on the dance floor.He and The Stragglers can usually be found performing free shows at 9:30 p.m. Thursday nights at the Lariat, a small bar with a big personality on the boardwalk in Grand Lake.Its mostly a cover band, he said, with definite high energy. The band plays anything from rock n roll covers of such musicians as Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones, The Violent Femmes and Johnny Cash.Bob Nicholls, the man behind the band, sings lead vocals and plays acoustic guitar. He can frequently be seen with several other skilled musicians he calls The Stragglers, which can consist of three main guys who join him, and really anyone else who asks to join in. Sometimes theres two of us, sometimes theres eight, Nicholls said.Dave Lawn is one of the three main Stragglers, offering vocals and playing a mean harmonica.Dave really sings the blues, Nicholls said. Hes out of control (when he plays). Hes so fun to play with, dancing around … getting the crowd into it. Daves one of the better harmonica players Ive ever heard.Walter Holland is the second regular Straggler. He has talents encompassing almost the entire horn section, especially saxophone, and more. Walters Walter, Nicholls said. That guys amazing. He does it all.Kyle Wector rounds out the bands additions, playing acoustic six-string guitar and lending back-up vocals. Two additional guys, Rod and Greg, come up every now and again to join in. Both play percussion.The band started back in 2002 when Nicholls, Lawn and Wector were asked to play at a friends wedding. After that, we started a band and weve been playing ever since, Nicholls said. The culmination came about just after Nicholls lost one of his toes, which was the inspiration for his bands name.Performances of Nine-Toed Bob and The Stragglers are what Nicholls deems a dancin good time. Theres nothing better than getting the crowd going … and singing along.He said The Lariat Saloon is a fun venue to play at and that its always awesome when the band gets together. With no predictions as to who will show up for the show, each Thursdays performance is a surprise. While youre there, have Nicholls tell you the story about his toe.


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