By Kali Williams – Special to the Pahrump Valley Times

Benderz Sports Bar & Lounge, located at 3610 S. Highway 160, will hold a grand re-opening this weekend after having been closed.
To turn a few heads, the new owner David Wyberg, who purchased the bar Nov. 1, 2012, will be bringing in some big names for a show.
When Channel 41’s Terry Svejda discovered Wyberg was planning to have a blow-out event for the re-opening, two of Svejda’s old friends came to mind and he called in a favor.
Ron Keel of the band KEEL and Paul Shortino of King Kobra will be hitting the stage of Benderz at 9 p.m. tomorrow night.
Svejda said he knew the two rockers were looking for a few different shows they could play together and he thought this event would be perfect for them. “I work for the TV station and I was talking to the guy that took over Benderz about advertising and bringing more people in.
“Then I thought about Ron and how he really wanted to play out here and Paul was the same way. They were really happy to do it and they always have a good time together. This show is going to be phenomenal,” he said. 
Keel has done everything from braving the jungles of rock and heavy metal, to walking the back roads of country music. He is noted for his many accomplishments in songwriting, recording, performing and radio hosting, among other things.
Keel is a true rocker at heart and his career has taken him to the edge of the Earth and back again. “In a way, music kind of chose me and it’s always been a big part of my life,” he said.
Some of his inspiration comes from The Eagles, The Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, who helped to motivate him on his musical journey and have led him to work with many bands including Steeler, Iron Horse, Saber Tiger, Fair Game and of course, his latest band KEEL.
He has toured with Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and Van Halen, and has gone on to release chart-topping hits and more than a few major albums, two of which were produced by KISS’ Gene Simmons.
Keel’s more recent projects include a Brooks & Dunn tribute band featured in the “Country Superstars” show at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. He was also asked to be a “rock star counselor” this summer for a program called “Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp.”
He will be working side by side with Alice Cooper and other rock legends mentoring young musicians.
Keel will share the Benderz spotlight Saturday night with longtime friend Paul Shortino, whose history in the music business is nothing short of impressive as well.
Best known for his powerful vocal performances with Rough Cutt and Quiet Riot, his credentials include headline tours in Europe and Japan, developing and producing up and coming artists for MusicWorks Entertainment, and releasing several albums in conjunction with various artists.
Shortino has also spent time on the big screen playing the notorious Duke Fame in “This is Spinal Tap.” His most recent focus has been on his musical project called, “Raiding the Rock Vault.”
In short, there’s not a whole lot these two haven’t experienced when it comes to music.
It’s been two years since Keel and Shortino last had the opportunity to play together and they’re really looking forward to this weekend.
“Our relationship goes back three decades,” Keel said. “For us, it’s not just about the music you’re going to hear, it’s the chemistry we have.
“There are going to be some magic moments and train wrecks, but we’re just pouring our souls out into these songs and we’re gonna have a good time.”
“It’s all about the love and the music,” Shortino added. The two will be at Guitar West on Highway 372 Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. to sign posters and autographs before the show.

Horace Langford Jr. / Pahrump Valley Times - Ron Keel, left, and Paul Shortino are two rock and roll legends in their own right. Both have a long list of accomplishments and have wanted to play in Pahrump. The duo will blow it out when Benderz holds its grand re-opening celebration at 9 p.m. Feb. 9.