Cowboys Dead Band

Cowboys Dead formed in 2007 to explore the music of Marty Robbins, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Reed, Don Nix, Merle Haggard, New Riders, Rolling Stones, Peter Rowan and more…in the spirit of the Grateful Dead. With a passion for the sound of Dead in the early 70s, Cowboys Dead reaches deep into the the Dead’s repertoire, bringing to today’s audiences great Pig Pen era tunes such as Smokestack Lightning, Mr. Charlie, Alligator and It Hurts Me Too.
The core band consists of Dave Dardine on lead guitar and vocals, Ken Duran on rhythm guitar and vocals, Doug Salmon on bass guitar and Ed Anderson on vocals and harp. Percussion is supplied by Dave White, Oscar DeSoto and Ricky Gary.

Hailing from NYC, Dave Dardine leads the band with a drive and passion for excellence. Never satisfied with the surface, Dave has spent a lifetime digging deep into the roots of the Grateful Dead sound, especially the music that influenced Jerry Garcia – from bluegrass to blues to jazz. Dave is a well known musician along the front range, having played in such bands as Common Ground, Vegetable Stew, the Howlers, Rounder, and the Agave Brothers.His other current music project is the Dave Dardine Project.

Ken Duran brings a mid-western twang to Cowboys Dead, having grown up in eastern Nebraska.

Doug Salmon has played in a variety of bands since 1978, including Connie & the Rhythm Method, The Bachelors, The Ambivalents, Mr. Baby, Backwash, Bent, Second Hand Smokers, and the Dave Dardine Project. He has played a variety of styles, including Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Ska, Funk, Soul, R & B, and Rock. He has performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland (1981), traveled on a Reggae tour through Montana (1986), and played a host of venues in Utah and Northern Colorado. In addition to playing bass with Cowboys Dead, Doug currently plays saxophone with the Absolutes.

Ed Anderson cut his harp playing teeth at local Blues Jams. His vocals have been compared to the great Willy Nelson.