Everymen's Sergio Witis Speaks About Cowboy, Will Perform Friday at Propaganda

By Reed Fischer Thu., Feb. 3 2011 at 2:37 PM

Categories: Help Wanted, Local Music

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Sergio Witis and Cowboy.

Earlier this week, County Grind reported that Everymen washboard player Cowboy is in the hospital receiving treatment after a serious fall.

A benefit concert will be held Friday at Propaganda, and the rest of the band has decided to perform in support of their ailing comrade. Viva Le Vox, Bonnie Riot, the Howling Winds, Heavy Boots, the Shakers, Cop City/Chill Pillars, and Yellow #6 will also take part in the benefit to raise funds to cover Cowboy's hospital bills.

"We're trying to do what he wanted us to do," says Everymen frontman Sergio Witis via phone earlier today. "We're just trying to raise as much as we can."

"Cowboy's been my best friend for 13 years now," he continues. "Everybody in the band is best friends. He's a brother to me and to the rest of the dudes, and we love him to death. We've been homeless together, and we've done everything together."

Witis says that the last Everymen practice held was tearful but that playing music has been a therapeutic way to break a cycle of staying at home, visiting the hospital, or going to work. The hardest part is not fully knowing what's going on with their friend, he says.

"The one thing that I wanted to point out to people for this show is that it got me thinking about how much everybody matters. No matter how little patience we have sometimes for each other, life is sensitive."

As a result, Witis hopes that Friday's benefit can be a chance for everyone in attendance to put past differences behind them and take a look around: "Cowboy's got the biggest heart in the world -- that's what he would want. His parents were in shock when they realized how many friends he had."

So far, among the fervid supporters: Witis says that Swarm Warehouse is making T-shirts to sell at the show to help raise money, area artists are donating artwork, and tattoo shops are taking part as well.

"When he wakes up, we'll have new songs, and we keep going."

Show for Cowboy. With Everymen Viva Le Vox, Bonnie Riot, the Howling Winds, the Shakers, Cop City/Chill Pillars, Heavy Boots, and Yellow #6. 6 p.m. Friday, February 4, at Propaganda, 6 S. J St., Lake Worth. Click here.

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