About Us : The Blazin' M Cowboys : Bios Bill Bassett : In 1971 Bill began performing in the Honky-Tonks and in night clubs throughout the Western states.  He played steel guitar with the Evergreen Drifters for many years.  Country means Nashville where Bill also lived and worked backing up many of the country greats such as Charlie Pride and Roy Clark.  He also appeared in a featured act at the Opryland Hotel and as a guest on TNN (Televisions Nashville Now).  He joined the Blazin' M Cowboys in early 2005. Chuck Mabery: Acting as the Cowboys' lead singer and emcee, Chuck also plays harmonica and acts as the group's "Dad". He began his career as a teenager when he won a local radio station's amateur singing contest. He then went on to sing with both a cowboy trio and a barber shop quartet. For ten years, Chuck also played trumpet locally with various dance bands. A native of Yuma, Arizona, Chuck bought the property that the Blazin' M stands on 30 years ago which he formerly farmed. Jim Dufresne: Jim, our lead guitarist, lauched his professional musical career in 1970. For 20 years, he lived and worked in Phoenix, as a musician, entertainer and musical instructor. He joined the Blaizn' M Cowboys in 2000 and continues his work as a private musical educator in and around the Verde Valley. Dave Rice: A self-taught musician, Dave is adept at playing the piano, guitar, banjo, mandolin and drums. Formerly a lobster fisherman from Bar Harbor, Maine, his many talents have taken him to Branson, Missouri where he played with Mel Tillis & Johnny Paycheck. He has been a member of the Blazin' M Cowboys since 1996. Otis: Since 1994, Otis has continued to amuse and amaze the family and visiting guests with his antics both on and off the stage at the Blazin' M. Having not quite figured out exactly what he does here at the ranch, nor where he came from, we do know that Otis has become widely traveled from the north end to the most southern tip of the Blazin' M. Otis has recently risen to the top of the ranch dishwashing crew by perfecting his pot scrubbing abilities and was named the Cornville's most eligible bachelor 1986-2002.