John Pinette, Heather McDonald-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Mar. 29, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Actor/Comedian John Pinette, and Actress/Writer/Comedian Heather McDonald, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong. He is always “a favorite” on LVBST.
Pinette, a former American Comedy Awards Stand-up Comedian of the Year, received his big break in 1991 when he was asked to tour with the legendary Frank Sinatra. Since then, Pinette has starred as Edna Turnblad in the hit Broadway musical “Hairspray,” opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in the movie “Duets,” alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Junior,” and with John Travolta in “The Punisher.”
On the small screen, Pinette has guest-starred on numerous television shows, including “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose,” “ALF,” “Seinfeld” and “Vinnie & Bobby.”
In January 2007, his Comedy Central stand-up special and DVD, “I’m Starvin,” was released as a follow-up to his successful CD, “Show Me The Buffet.” His most recent one-hour Comedy Central special, “John Pinette: Still Hungry,” premiered in July 2011 and is available on DVD.
More about John Pinette here.
You can catch John Pinette at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Fri – Sat, March 30 – 31, 8:00pm
Comedian / Writer / Actor – Heather McDonald
Not content with just being a standup comedian, Heather McDonald also has built a writing, acting, performing, and producing career to make any Comedy Store regular jealous.
Heather is a full-time writer and story producer on E!’s top rated show Chelsea Lately. She can be seen weekly on the roundtable or performing in comedy sketches where she is known for impersonating celebrities.
Heather is also a best-selling author: her debut book, You’ll Never Blue Ball in this Town Again, spent seven weeks on the New York Times best-seller list, and climbed to the #1 position on Amazon’s “Bestsellers in Entertainment” list.
McDonald, and John Pinette were featured in LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Gaming Today, and will soon be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, as well as “Getting Personal with the Stars” monthly column in Gaming Today.
More about Heather McDonald here.
You can catch Heather McDonald at South Point.
The Showroom at South Point, March 31 – April 1, 2012 – 7:30pm.
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Don Rickles & Cody Collins-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
March 22, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Don Rickles guests on LVBST Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas and The Web.
Celebrated entertainer and Las Vegas legend Don Rickles brings his one-of-a-kind comedy back to The Orleans Showroom
Rickles took his first step toward national fame in 1957, when Rickles spotted Frank Sinatra in the audience at a nightclub in Miami Beach. The still-unknown Rickles eyed Sinatra and said, “I just saw your movie, ‘The Pride and the Passion,’ and I want to tell you, the cannon was great. Make yourself at home, Frank. Hit somebody.” Sinatra, whose pet name for Rickles was “bullet-head,” enjoyed Rickles so much that he returned to see him when he was performing in Los Angeles, and encouraged other celebrities to see his act. Rickles soon became the “in” comic among Hollywood stars, who flocked to see him to become a target of his insults. Sinatra’s continuing support helped Rickles become a popular performer in Las Vegas, where he first started in 1959, and has been a headliner ever since.
In addition to keeping live audiences laughing, Rickles’ still-growing television and film resume includes roles in “Casino,” “Kelly’s Heroes,” “The Rat Race,” all three “Toy Story” films, HBO’s “Tales From the Crypt,” TNT’s “The Wool Cap” and Bravo’s “My Life on the D-List” with Kathy Griffin. In 2011, he made a surprise appearance in a “cliff-hanger” episode as the “thought to be dead” husband of Betty White’s character on the TV Land comedy “Hot In Cleveland.” Later in the year, he returned to the show for the “payoff.” He recently appeared on Showtime’s new series “Inside Comedy,” where fellow comedian David Steinberg interviewed him.
Don Rickles will soon be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” Column in Casino Player Magazine, as well as “Getting Personal with the Stars” Monthly Syndicated Column in Gaming Today.
You can catch Don Rickles at The Orleans, Orleans Showroom, Sat – Sun, March 24 – 25, 8:00pm
Singer / Formally of “Lonestar” – Cody Collins
Former Lonestar frontman, Cody Collins, joins the cast of Country Superstars for a limited six-month engagement. Cody Collins will headline as himself performing a combination of original songs as well as Lonestar hits.
While performing at Cowboys, Cody was introduced to Dean Sams, keyboardist for multi-platinum selling Country powerhouse group, Lonestar. The pair discussed the possibilities of working together, but never had Cody anticipated the opportunities ahead.
Cody was brought in as his replacement. Cody was thrilled at being given the opportunity of a lifetime to pursue his life-long dream. Though Cody has gone from being the hunk-next-door to being a superstar Country heartthrob, he is still the same down-to-Earth, sweet southern guy, who is grateful that he has been lucky enough to be able to live his dream.
You can catch Cody Collins in “Country Superstars” at Golden Nugget Las Vegas.
Premiere performance for a 6-month run, Thursday March 29, 2012 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday – 5:30 p.m.
For info, click here.
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Mar. 15, 2012: Jon Taffer, Monti Rock III
Star of Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” – Jon Taffer
Star and Co-Executive Producer of “Bar Rescue”
Nightclub and Bar | The Most Dynamic Beverage Expo in the Country
The Nightclub & Bar Show is by far the best bar, nightclub and beverage trade show for the bar and nightclub owners, operators, bartenders and other professionals in the industry. Attendees walk away with the tools they need to better serve their customers, which at the end of the day helps them grow their business. We’re committed to providing networking opportunities, rock-solid educational experiences, a high-energy show floor so that you walk away empowered and ready to hit the ground running!
Bar Rescue
“Bars mean money, but they also mean stress if they aren’t properly run. Jon Taffer is a bar and nightclub owner who has started, flipped, or owned over 600 bars and clubs in his career and currently owns one of the most highly respected consulting firms in the bar and nightclub industry. Jon will travel around the country and employ his expertise to return struggling bars to the cash cows they once were. Everything from the science of the perfect pour, to the height of the bar stools is a key factor in making a bar the hottest place in town.”
Jon is an internationally recognized, award winning, concept developer, the voice and guru in the bar & nightlife industry. With over 30 years of experience, Taffer became of the worlds top restaurant and bar consultant. In 2010, Taffer was appointed president of Nightclubs & Bar Media Group and organizes the Nightclub & Bar Convention Trade Show, Nightclub & Bar magazine. Taffer is also chairman of Taffer Dynamics, where he is a consultant and development adviser to nightclubs and bars around the world.
For more about Jon Taffer, click here.
More about the “Nightclub & Bar Show” March 13-14 click here.
You can catch “Bar Rescue” Season 1 on SpikeTV.com. Season 2 coming soon.
Columnist / Performer / Musician – Monti Rock III
MONTI ROCK III AKA DISCO TEX AND THE SEX-O-LETTES is iconic, legendary, unpredictable, an enigma, undefinable, and a legend in his own mind. The media is having a field day rediscovering Monti – See the Vanity Fair issues for December 2009 and February 2010. Vanity Fair refers to Mr. Rock as one of the architecs of the 1960s; a little known fact is that Monti was THE hairstylist, and was the ceator of the blunt cut and asymetrical style, that has remained in vogue for all of these years. His hair styles appeared on the greatest models and magazine covers of the 1960s.
His television appearances from that era was topped by his multitude of appearances on the Johnny Carson Show (a total of 84 times!!!!) and you would never forget his appearance in the cult classic film, “Saturday Night Fever.”
From Monti, “What should a columnist do when in demand and he’s the man?! On Sunday,March 4, I was pleased to host and greet 150 guests for a special VIP opening of La Cage at The Riviera. This is a show with the longest running experience in Vegas of female impersonators. Jimmy Emerson and the new cast along with the producer Norbert Aleman performed brilliantly for the special guests. I hosted, I sang and was simply divine, my darlings. I want to thank the media, my special guests and all of you who attended the performance. My special thanks goes to Victoria’s Pub for the outstanding hors d’oeuvres and open bar along with my special thanks as well to Liz and the girls at Great Buns Bakery for the cakes and to David Filter for all the flowers from The English Garden Florist It was great celebration and I will be doing more with The Riviera and La Cage in the future. It was almost heaven.”
For more about Monti Rock III, click here.
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Mar. 8, 2012: Doug Gray, Mickey Jones
“The Marshall Tucker Band”
Singer / Musician – Doug Gray – Original Member and Lead Singer
Doug Gray guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas and The Web.
The Marshall Tucker Band, originally founded by lead singer Doug Gray, got its start in Spartanburg, S.C. and debuted their first album in 1973 San Francisco. The platinum-plus album caught fire and spawned numerous hits including “Way Out West!,” earning them a loyal following and numerous headlining engagements across America.
During the past 30 years, The Marshall Tucker Band has influenced country music groups such as Alabama, The Kentucky Headhunters, Confederate Railroad, and Travis Tritt with its definitive blend of rock, rhythm & blues, jazz, country, and gospel. With hit singles like “Heard It In a Love Song,” “Fire On The Mountain,” “Can’t You See,” and “Take The Highway,” The Marshall Tucker Band has earned seven gold and three platinum albums. They also scored four hit singles on Billboard’s country chart and one on Billboard’s gospel chart. The Marshall Tucker Band’s music has been featured on the soundtracks of movies such as Smokey and the Bandit, The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, Shipwrecked, Crank 2, Don’t Mess with Zohan, Stop Loss, Swing Vote and Taking Chance as well as many television shows.
For more about Doug Gray w/ The Marshall Tucker Band, click here
You can catch The Marshall Tucker Band at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Fri – Sat, March 9 – 10, 8:00pm
Celebrity Host for Sam’s Town 300 – Actor / Musician – Mickey Jones
Mickey Jones will be stopping by to talk about Sam’s Town 300 events and his hosting gig.
As a musician, Bob Dylan noticed Mickey Jones while he was playing at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles, and a professional alliance began that lasted for years. The two became close friends as well. “The word ‘genius’ is not enough to describe Bobby,” says Mickey. Dylan in turn appreciated Mickey’s blues roots – a style that worked well with “The Band.” Together they toured around the world including stops in such places as Malaysia, India and Lebanon.
Mickey Jones has added acting to his already outstanding credits, having been featured in numerous guest star roles in hit TV shows such as “Northern Exposure,” “Hearts Afire,” “Evening Shade,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “Matlock, “Baywatch,” “Home Improvement” and “Justified” film credits including “Drop Zone,” “Total Recall,” “Tin Cup,” and more…
You can catch Mickey at Sam’s Town 300 Las Vegas Motor Speedway events Fri – Sat, March 9 -10
Info and scheduling here.
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Mar. 1, 2012: Paige O’Hara, Stephen Sorrentino, Jeff Capri, Laura Hayden
Singer / Actress / Artist – Paige O’Hara
Does the name Paige O’Hara ring a bell with you? It should, if you ever went to see the Disney film, “Beauty and the Beast.” O’Hara was the voice of “Belle.” The famous animated beauty (Belle) was even modeled after Paige. Of course the vibrant singer and actress, who calls Las Vegas home, can also be seen daily as the “Soap Star” in the hit, “Menopause the Musical” at the Luxor Hotel and Casino.
What many of you may not be unaware of is that O’Hara is a very accomplished painter of fine art. Paige is so darn good as a painter, that the Disney Fine Art-Collectors Edition has her under exclusive contract for her, “Belles by Belle,” collection. Since the success of the critically acclaimed, Oscar-winning animated film, Paige began painting a few renderings based on her character, and other favorite scenes from the film. Soon word got back to the people at Disney, suggesting that they should take a look at her paintings. The rest is history, as they say, in show biz. Her first painting of “Belle,” an edition of 295 Giclees on canvas, has sold out.
For more about Paige O’Hare, click here
Paige O’Hara will be at the Renaissance Galleries Shoppes at the Palazzo Hotel and Casino
Saturday, March 3rd, from noon to 6:00 p.m.
Singing Impressionist / Actor – Stephen Sorrentino
Superstar musical comedian, Stephen Sorrentino will return to Atlantic City in his critically acclaimed show, Voices In My Head for a three-month exclusive engagement, March 26 – June 22. The spotlight will be on Sorrentino for 6 shows each week in the legendary 2,000-seat Tropicana Casino & Resort Showroom. Voices In My Head is a winning combination of a Las Vegas stage-show, classic TV variety hour, and high-energy concert and features: showgirls, dancers, extravagant costumes and hilarious comedy routines. Audiences of all ages appreciate Voices in My Head as Sorrentino’s musical impressions travel expertly from Frankie Valle and Lady Gaga to Cher and the stars of Motown! They may find themselves called upon for the audience participation improv routine where his “Second City” roots shine.
For more about Stephen Sorrentino, click here
You can catch Stephen Sorrentino Tropicana Atlantic City
Tropicana Showroom, Monday, March 26 through Friday, June 22
Show Times – Sun 7:00pm, Mon & Tues 3:30pm & 8:00pm, Fri & Sat 9:00pm, Dark Wed & Thurs
Comedian / Headliner – Jeff Capri
Welcoming back Jeff Capri, Jeff covers everything from pop-culture, biographical and political twists as well as a silly pun or two. A world traveled comedian, Jeff has worked a variety of audiences. Comedy clubs, cruise lines, military tours, and corporate events. Considered a consummate professional; his strong improvisational ability enables him to adapt to any crowd. Jeff’s television appearances, include Comics Unleashed, Last Comic Standing, Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star has enabled him to work alongside respected entertainers, including Ellen DeGeneres, Joy Behar, Rich Jeni and Adam Sandler.
For more about Jeff Capri, click here.
You can catch Jeff at The Orleans, Thursday, March 1 through Sunday, March 4
Big Al’s Comedy Club, Wed through Sun, 8:00pm
Comedian – Laura Hayden
Laura is like radioactive plutonium; calm, cool and collected until comedy took over her life. A very introverted child all through school, it wasn’t until graduate school for physical therapy that she realized her comedic potential. It’s always the quiet ones! She has the ability to make anything funny, even spinal meningitis. This talent caused her class to overwhelmingly select her to give their commencement speech. That was the catalyst. Receiving several applause -laughter breaks during her speech, she thought “maybe I’m funny”. Having an unquenchable desire to try or learn anything. As long as it is not illegal or immoral, well maybe that was being a bit hasty. But on a whim, she took a comedy class and people have been laughing at her ever Since.
For more about Laura Hayden, click here.
You can catch Laura w/ Jeff Capri at The Orleans
Thursday, March 1 through Sunday, March 4
Big Al’s Comedy Club, Wed through Sun, 8:00pm
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
