Paula Poundstone, Cory Wells, founding member of Three Dog Night
May 29, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Paula Poundstone returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Poundstone began nurturing her stand-up comedy talent in 1979 on the Boston comedy scene before moving to San Francisco. By 1990 she had moved to Los Angeles, starred in multiple HBO comedy specials and appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” Poundstone was the first woman to receive a Cable ACE Award for a comedy special for her one-hour HBO special, “Cats, Cops, and Stuff.” She received her second Cable ACE Award for her self-titled HBO talk show series.
Continuing with many successes throughout the 1990s, Poundstone starred in “The Paula Poundstone Show” on ABC, appeared in her second one-hour special on HBO titled “Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard,” and appeared on camera and as the voice of characters in several television shows including: “Cybill,” “Science Court,” “Hercules” and “Home Movies.” In 2007, she appeared in a BRAVO comedy special, “Paula Poundstone: Look What the Cat Dragged In.” Poundstone is the recipient of an Emmy® Award for her field pieces on the PBS program “Life & Times” and most recently appeared in the television documentary “Why We Laugh: Funny Women.”
Poundstone is a regular panelist on NPR’s weekly quiz program “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me,” where her impeccable timing is key to the show’s format. She has written several magazine articles, including five years of writing the back page column in “Mother Jones,” and has authored multiple books, including “There’s Nothing In This Book That I Meant To Say.” Her first comedy CD, “I HEART JOKES: Paula Tells Them In Maine,” was release in 2009. Her most recent comedy CD titled “I HEART JOKES: Paula Tells Them In Boston,” was released in 2013. Both are available at www.paulapoundstone.com.
Paula will be appearing at Orleans Showroom on May 30 & 31 at 8pm
Cory Wells
Cory Wells, (far right) founder of Three Dog Night guests on LV Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong. LVBST is the only show that really “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
With hits like Mama Told Me (Not To Come), Joy to The World, Black And White, Shambala, Easy To Be Hard, An Old Fashioned Love Song, The Show Must Go On, One, Never Been To Spain, Liar, Eli’s Coming, The Family Of Man, Out In The Country, Try A Little Tenderness, are just a few reasons why this band has stood the test of time, and attracting new fans, recording new music, but still playing the hits.
TweetRalphie May, Richie Minervini-Las Vegas Backstage Talk
May 22, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Comedian Ralphie May guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas and streaming live in a backstage interview at The South Point Hotel and Casino. Ralphie addresses some of the obstacles and behind the scenes’ “going-ons” that are realities in”the business” of show business. He also speaks about his very first gig. Opening for Sam Kinison.
Veteran comedian Ralphie May’s popularity exploded after the success of the first season of NBC’s hit reality series, “Last Comic Standing”. Long-time fans of Ralphie’s stand-up were joined by countless new fans when America thought he was robbed of the winner’s title. Despite the show’s outcome, Ralphie’s special brand of comedy combines the familiar elements of hip-hop and topical comedy with a dash of southern down-home flavor and quick wit making Ralphie May one of the most popular comedians in the country. His first DVD, appropriately titled “Just Correct,” went PLATINUM!
His special brand of humor and incredible timing has allowed him to cross social, cultural, and ethnic barriers and has earned him roles in such films as FOR DA LOVE OF MONEY and GAS, to name a few of several independent productions. Ralphie has worked as an actor, writer and producer on ESPN’s Mohr Sports starring Jay Mohr and had four appearances on CBS’s The Late Late Show w/ Craig Kilborn as well as eleven appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He has been seen on Tough Crowd, The Man Show and MTV’s Bash as well as in guest-starring roles on numerous television shows including NBC’s Whoopie. In an appearance on The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno he received a standing ovation, the first comedian in 10 years to receive this honor. The New York Times raves, “Ralphie is phenomenal…”The Washington Post describes his comedy style as a “Tour de Force.” At the age of seventeen, Ralphie entered a talent show, to which the winner would get to open for Sam Kinison. A dream came true… Ralphie won the contest and after the show, Sam turned to Ralphie and said, “That was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Will soon be featured in Michele LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” Column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today.
Ralphie is performing at South Point Showroom May 23-25 For more go to ralphiemay.com
Comedian Richie Minervini
Comedian Richie Minervini guests on LVBST in a backstage interview from The Wynn Theatre, the set of Mall Cop 2. Richie is Kevin James stand-in, and has been Kevin’s opening act for over 15 years at The Mirage.
Richie Minervini is a seasoned entertainer and actor. A veteran of standup comedy, Richie is the former owner of Long Island’s premier comedy club, The East Side Comedy Club. His stage is where celebrities, Rosie O’Donnell, Jay Leno, Eddie Murphy, Kevin James, Ray Romano and Michele LaFong started their standup careers.
Comic / Actor Richie Minervini, from the movie “Zookeeper” with Kevin James, Richie is opening for Kevin James at The Mirage on June 7. He is the voice of Elmo the Ostrich in “Zookeeper.”
Click here to watch the trailer for “Zookeeper.”
TweetBen Vereen, Dr. Julio Garcia “Plastic Surgeon to the Stars”
May 15, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Ben Vereen and Dr. Julio Garcia “Plastic Surgeon to the Stars” guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Accomplished actor, dancer, and singer Ben Vereen is no stranger to the entertainment scene. On Broadway, Vereen has appeared in “Wicked,” “Fosse,” “I’m Not Rappaport,” “Hair,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Grind,” “Pippin,” “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “A Christmas Carol.” Off-Broadway credits include the award-winning original production of “The Exonerated.” His role in “Pippin” garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for “Best Actor in a Musical.” Vereen’s most recent starring role was in the Broadway-bound play “Fetch Clay, Make Man” directed by Des McAnuff, which premiered at the award-winning McCarter Theater.
For more than 35 years, Vereen has showcased his versatility and creativity, performing countless one-man shows around the world. He was the first simultaneous winner of the “Entertainer of the Year,” “Rising Star,” and “Song and Dance Star” awards from the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA)
While performing on stages worldwide, Vereen also pursued high profile film roles, including Chicken George in “Roots” and Louis Armstrong in “Louis Armstrong – Chicago Style.” Vereen’s television guest appearances include “Grey’s Anatomy,” for which he won the Prism Award, “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” “Oz,” “Touched By An Angel,” “Second Noah,” “New York Undercover,” “The Nanny,” “Star Trek – The Next Generation,” “The Jamie Fox Show, The Promised Land,” and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” as well as recurring roles on “Silk Stalkings,” “Webster,” “J.J. Starbuck” and “Booker.”
May 15, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Dr. Julio Garcia “Plastic Surgeon to the Stars,” returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong, on 1230AM KLAV, in Las Vegas, and The Web, for an on-location interview in his office. Dr Garcia speaks about what’s new, and now available, as well as affordable not just to the Stars but also to 9-5 people competing to stay competitive, and stay working in corporate America.For over 22 years, Dr. Garcia has provided incomparable aesthetic surgical support to Las Vegas valley residents. He also has had the privilege of caring for patients from around the country and around the world, from places such as Alaska, the U.S. east coast, to as far away as Israel, Italy, and Great Britain. As a full-service cosmetic enhancement facility, available treatments ensure patient’s confidence in having found a home for all their elective surgery needs. Specializing in BOTOX Cosmetic, Dysport Injections, laser toning, laser surgery, permanent makeup, filler injections, sculptra injections and tattoo removal. Dr. Garcia has been one of the Plastic Surgeons featured on the Discovery Channel, and written up in medical magazines. Dr. Garcia is offering a new and exciting skin tightening procedure called ThermiTight, with dramatic results.
TweetMay-Las Vegas Backstage Talk column
May-Las Vegas Backstage Talk
Syndicated column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today.
by Michele LaFong
(click on articles to enlarge)
Comedian/Actor John Pinette was a favorite recurring guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show. He was found dead recently in a hotel room in Pittsburgh, where he was attending a family function. He was only 50. The apparent cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, his manager, Larry Schapiro, said. John was expected to return on LVBST in mid-May to promote his return engagement at The Orleans Showroom. I was looking forward to it because he always made me laugh on and off stage. I was an avid fan of all of his stand-up specials “Show Me the Buffett,” “I’m Starvin’!” and “Still Hungry.” I laugh just thinking about them! He was working on another stand-up project when he died. He will be greatly missed. On April 10, I re-aired my first interview with him. It covered everything from his legendary stint on the last episode on Seinfeld, to his starring role in “Hairspray” on Broadway. The interview is worth listening to and is archived on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com
Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals put on a rockin’ high energy, “crowd pleasing” show at The Suncoast Showroom last month. I loved that he continuously got up from behind the keyboard to dance! Not only did Felix play all his hits as promised in our interview like “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” “A Girl Like You,” “A Beautiful Morning,” “People Got to Be Free,” and How Can I Be Sure?,” but he also threw in many surprises like when he sang “You Better Run” by Pat Benatar. I had no idea that Cavaliere had written that song! He’s a tremendous talent. It’s no surprise that he is a Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee.
Legendary Comedian Marty Allen performed a string of show dates together with his wife Singer Karon Kate Blackwell, at The Plaza in celebration of his 92nd birthday. Marty has not lost any of his timing, charm, or connection with his audience. He still delivers a solid, “old school” updated, throw-back to vaudeville type of show. I just love him! He’s “old school” and iconic, always doing a Meet & Greet at no charge following every show. Some of the celebrities that attended were Terry Fator, Rich Little, and even Marty Allen’s former Comedy Team Partner, Steve Rossi. Wonders never cease. Who knows… in another10-20 years perhaps Allen & Rossi will reunite on-stage as well! Since both Marty Allen, and Steve Rossi have guested on LVBST separately, when I compared their videotaped interviews, I couldn’t help but notice how hilariously different their recollections are of their past history together. The edited video is posted on gaming today.com
After interviewing Comedian Tommy Davidson, one of the original cast members of “In Living Color,” on Fox TV, I went to see him perform in the “In Living Color Reunion Tour” with David Alan Grier, at Aliante Casino. David opened the show. His stand-up was honest and well-paced. His political material was very strong. Both David, and Tommy’s comedy had substance and depth, were animated, and engaging. Both used their voices well, and performed creative sound effects.
Tommy’s show had less of a stand-up feel to it and was more stylized. His impressions and characters were spot-on, and his take-off of President Obama was hilarious. It was nice to see these two skilled comedy veterans perform back to back. The only thing that would have made the evening perfect is if at the end of the show they would have done something together.
Comedian George Wallace ended his show on April 26, after a ten year run at The Flamingo. Wallace expects to do a little bit of everything while moving on from the 10-year run at Flamingo Las Vegas. “I may tour the world, the US, do some radio and television and continue to make people laugh and enjoy my life. I am blessed and we will see what lies in store for me. Although there is no word yet of who or what will replace Wallace in the 10pm slot, Rumor has it that it could possibly be going to Tommy Davidson. He is fresh, popular, and versatile enough to pull off a one-man show in Vegas. He has paid his dues in show-biz, and deserves the slot.
Speaking of deserving the slot, many of you have been thanking me for recommending Singing Funnyman Pianist Michael Shane who by popular demand has recently been given his own nights at Bootlegger Bistro. Shane is scheduled every Thursday, and Friday in May from 6pm, as a solo act, and has Special Guest drop-ins as well. With no cover charge, great food and atmosphere, Michael’s show at Bootlegger Bistro should be a no-brainer!
Picks for May: Comedian Tom Dreesen, May 2 & 3 Smith Center, Olivia Newton John May 6-10, Flamingo, Jane’s Addiction, The Linq, May8-10, Gary Puckett and Union Gap, May 9-11, South Point, Ray Romano/Kevin James, May 9 & 10, Mirage, Eli Young Band, May 10, Palms, LeAnn Rimes, May 9 & 10, The Orleans, Leslie Gore and Peggy March 11, Suncoast, Lilly Tomlin, Danny Wright, May 11, Smith Center, Cheech & Chong, May 16, Hard Rock, Lewis Black, May 17 & 18, Mirage, The Oak Ridge Boys, May 16, Eastside Cannery, Jeffrey Osborne and Peabo Bryson, May 17, Cannery, Ben Vereen, May 17 & 18, Suncoast, Kansas, May 17, Redrock Resort, Guns N’Roses, May 21-June 7, Hard Rock, Air Supply, May 23-25, Orleans, Kathy Griffin, May 23, Mirage, Ralphie May, May 23-25, South Point, Ron White, May 24, Mirage, Bruce Bruce, May 24 & 25, Suncoast, Cher, Cyndi-Lauper, May 25, MGM, Katt Williams, May 25, Hard Rock, Backstreet Boys, Avril Lavigne, May 30 & 31, Planet Hollywood, Paula Poundstone, May 30 & 31, The Orleans, Johnny Mathis, May 30, Smith Center, Paul Rodgers, May 31, Eastside Cannery.
LeAnn Rimes, Steve Rossi
May 8, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Country music superstar LeAnn Rimes and Steve Rossi guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Rimes made her introduction into country music in 1996 with her debut album “Blue,” which soared to number one on the Top Country Albums chart and was certified multi-platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. Throughout her career, Rimes has sold more than 40 million albums, won two Grammy® Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards™ and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Rimes received the honor of being the youngest recipient of a Grammy®, and was also the first country recording artist to win in the “Best New Artist” category.
Rimes has placed 42 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 13 of which are top-10 hits, and has scored several hit singles in her career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” which went #1 in 11 countries, and “How Do I Live,” which is the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Having released more than ten studio albums, three compilation albums and two greatest hits albums in her distinguished career, Rimes recently released her newest album titled “Spitfire,” in the spring of 2013.
In addition to her music career, Rimes is as an accomplished actress and author. She made her official film debut in 2000 for “Coyote Ugly,” providing the singing voice for Piper Perabo’s character Violet Sanford and making a cameo appearance towards the end of the film. Later, Rimes starred in the 2009 made-for-TV movie, “Northern Lights.” Rimes has also written four books— two novels and two children’s books, the most recent titled “What I Cannot Change.”
Show-Biz Legend Steve Rossi
Steve Rossi guests in-studio on Las Vegas backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
He is half of the world famous comedy team of Allen and Rossi. At the age of six he appeared in ‘Going My Way’ with Bing Crosby, ‘The Johnson Story’ and over thirty movies. At the age of 16, Steve received a scholarship to The University of Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles and received a BA in communication, arts and theatre and in Latin and Greek. In 1954 Steve co-starred with Mae West in her sold out concerts all over America.
Steve teamed up with Marty Allen in 1957 and soon became America’s #1 comedy team. They Appeared in over 7000 television shows including frequent apperances on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’, and hold dubious honor of having to go on stage right after the Beatles created pandemonium on the show. They also guest starred on Perry Cumo, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Mike Dougas and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Allen and Rossi were also regular guest stars on ‘What’s My Line, Hollywood Squares, Password and numerous other game shows.
Allen and Rossi starred in several Paramount films, most notably ‘The Last of the Secret Agents’ with the guest stars Nancy Sinatra and Ed Sullivan.
Steve also produced and starred in ‘The 25th Anniversary Allen and Rossi Special’ with guest stars Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller, Redd Foxx, Martin Sheen, Ernie Borgnine, Rich Little, Jack Jones and Tony Orlando. Steve has produced 11 comedy albums and eight singing albums on such lables as RCA and Coumbia. He sold 2 million copies of his hit record “More”, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
Steve Rossi also wrote and produced “Jimmy Stewart & Friends” starring Rich Little currently appearing at The Las Vegas Hotel.
On May 20th 2009, steve Rossi was inducted into Show Business Legends hall of fame at the Tropicana hotel in Las Vegas. Steve in celebrating his 55th year in show business and Is young enough to look forward to the next 55 years.
More about Steve Rossi here–>
TweetIan Anderson-Jethro Tull
April 17, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Ian Anderson, front-man for Jethro Tull guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Legendary prog pioneer Ian Anderson hits The Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort on Sept. 19, 2014 at 8 p.m. to perform The Best of Jethro Tull.
Fronting seminal Prog outfit Jethro Tull and performing simply under his own name, Anderson has performed in more than 54 countries over 45 years; he is widely considered an icon of the genre and is recognized as the protagonist of the flute in rock music. With more than 60 million albums sold in its career, Tull has been characterized by Anderson’s trademark acoustic textures created with ethnic flutes and whistles together with acoustic guitar and the mandolin family of instruments. In many recent shows, Anderson has played with orchestras, string quartets and featured soloists. His eclectic acoustic performances are also a hit with fans of the progressive genre.
Anderson just released a new studio album Homo Erraticus on April 15 on his own Calliandra Records. The album continues with the story of Anderson’s favorite enfant terrible Gerald Bostock.
Along with Anderson’s band (guitarist Florian Opahle, bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O’Hara and drummer Scott Hammond, and singer Ryan O’Donnell), he will be touring the U.S. this September through November.
In 1972 Anderson’s band Jethro Tull released the iconic concept album Thick As A Brick, based on a poem by the then 8-year-old Gerald Bostock in 2012. As many fans wondered what might have befallen the character, Anderson decided to explore the different paths Gerald’s life might have taken in his 2012 album, Thick As A Brick 2.
Following a 40 year political career, Gerald reunited with Anderson taking the role of tour manager on a string of shows. Homo Erraticus marks Gerald’s return to songwriting, and is based on an unpublished manuscript by amateur historian Ernest T. Parritt (1865-1928). In Homo Erraticus, Parritt examines key events of British history with a string of prophecies stretching to the current day and the future. Visions of past lives caused by the delirium of malaria generate the characters through whose eyes the stories are told, including a nomadic Neolithic settler, an iron Age blacksmith, a Christian monk, a turnpike innkeeper and even Prince Albert.
Ian Anderson recently won The Prog God Award from Prog Magazine, celebrating the innovators of rock who have inspired generations and carved a way for others to be at their creative best. There is no one who has pushed the boundaries more than Anderson, who to this day remains immersed in his love for the music. For more information, visit www.jethrotull.com.
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