Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Feb. 5 & 7, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews are posted below
Award-winning blues musician Kenny Wayne Shepherd guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. They will bring their chart-topping hits to The Orleans Showroom February 7 and 8.
Bandleader Kenny Wayne Shepherd began his career at a young age, sharing the stage with New Orleans legend Bryan Lee at 13 years old. Shepherd has since been listed among the top blues guitarists of all time by Guitar World magazine, along with legends B.B. King and Eric Clapton.
The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band debuted in 1995 with “Ledbetter Heights” and the album quickly rose to the top of the Billboard blues chart. The band followed up with “Trouble Is…”, which also reached the top of the blues charts and featured “Blue on Black,” a single that spent 17 consecutive weeks at #1 on the rock charts.
In total, the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band has released eight albums, including the 2014 release “Goin’ Home,” which was just nominated for “Blues Rock Album of the Year” for this year’s Blues Music Awards.
During his career, Shepherd has received five Grammy nominations, two Billboard Music Awards, a pair of Orville H. Gibson awards, the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive award and two Blues Music awards. He’s had released six #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles. His acclaimed CD/documentary project “10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads” was the top-selling blues album of 2007.
Completing The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band are: Noah Hunt, lead vocals; Chris Layton, drums; Tony Franklin, bass guitar; and Riley Osbourn, B-3 and keyboards.
TweetComedian Tom Cotter, Jackie “The Joke Man”
Jan. 29 & 31, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews are posted below
“America’s Got Talent” Breakout Star Comedian Tom Cotter returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong. In a very candid interview, Tom gives many inside tips on how to advance on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. He will be performing at the Suncoast Showroom February 6.
After appearing on the 2012 season of “America’s Got Talent,” Cotter was invited back to perform as a special guest, and again to host the “2013 AGT Viewing Party.” Cotter’s other numerous television and radio credits include “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” his very own special “Comedy Central Presents… Tom Cotter,” The Howard Stern Show and, most recently, a third appearance on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”
For more go to http://www.tomcotter.com/
Jackie “The Joke Man Martling
Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling returns on LVBST to promote his gig with Bobby Slayton “The Pitbull of Comedy,” and Comedian John Melendez, “Stuttering John,” at the South Point Showroom, Jan. 30 & 31.
While touring as a national headliner, Martling released three comedy lp’s, 1979’s “What Did You Expect?,” 1980’s “Goin’ Ape!,” and 1981’s “Normal People Are People You Don’t Know That Well.” He blindly sent the three LP’s to Howard Stern upon Howard’s arrival at WNBC-AM in New York City in 1982, and Howard called him to make a guest appearance on his radio show. in 1986, Jackie became a full-time cast member and the head writer of Stern’s show.
Jackie left the show in 2001 after fifteen-year run as head writer of the radio show, four television series, and three Pay-Per-Views.
He still works all around the country, performing his solo act of rapid-fire filthy jokes and the classic finale, “Stump The Joke Man,” is about to release a CD of his original music entitled “Happy Endings,” and is currently doing his own radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio 101, “Jackie’s Joke Hunt.
Jackie Martling’s videotaped interview on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong is posted on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com
More about Jackie Martling here–>
TweetJohn Melendez/Stuttering John
Jan. 22 & 24, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews are posted below
Comedian John Melendez/Stuttering John guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote his upcoming engagement with Jackie “The Joke man” Martling, and Bobby Slayton, “The Pitbull of Comedy,” at The South Point Showroom, Jan 30 & 31 at 7:30pm.
John Melendez worked as a staff writer on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Melendez also appeared in some of the show’s comedy sketches. Melendez, who began with The Howard Stern Radio Show as an intern in college, landed on the air almost immediately. During his 15 seasons with Stern, Melendez gained national acclaim and recognition as “Stuttering John”, with his daring and irreverent interview style and prominent personality. In addition to interviewing countless celebrities on the radio, Melendez was simultaneously hired as a field reporter for the nationally syndicated Howard Stern Television Show, where he worked for two seasons as an interviewer and in sketch pieces for the show’s man-on-the-street segments. He continued his television work for Howard Stern on the highly rated E! television show. He became known for asking impertinent questions of celebrities on the red carpet and at press conferences with his stuttering. Following a guest appearance on The Tonight Show to promote I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2003, Melendez received the offer from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
For more go to: John Melendez’s Official Site http://www.johnmelendez.tv/
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Mary Wilson, Julie Budd
Jan. 15 & 17, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Mary Wilson, founder of The Supremes, guests on LV Backsage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote her appearance at the Suncoast Showroom January 17-18 at 7:30pm.
While growing up in Detroit’s Brewster Projects, Wilson befriended Florence Ballard, Betty McGlown and Diana Ross at age 13. The quartet later formed a singing group, The Primettes. Wilson, Ballard and Ross were signed to Motown Records and became known as The Supremes.
The Supremes were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1965 and 1966, garnering an unprecedented 12 #1 hits, including four in a row – “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Stop, In The Name Of Love” and “Back in My Arms Again.” In 1977, Wilson released her first solo album, “Mary Wilson,” which yielded the dance hit “Red Hot.” In 1992, Wilson released her first album in 13 years, “Walk the Line,” which included the single “One Night With You.”
Wilson became a best-selling author with her autobiography, “Dreamgirl… My Life As A Supreme.” The book has sold more than 250,000 copies in hardback, becoming one of the most successful rock and roll autobiographies of all time.
Wilson created a traveling exhibit of 70 gowns worn by The Supremes throughout the years and can be seen on tour at countless cities across the United States. The exhibit is currently being housed at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Julie Budd
Award-winning Singer Julie Budd guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Julie is considered to be one of the most exciting singers on the scene today, and last week won The Broadway World Award for Best Show. She has also landed a residency at The Metropolitan Room in NY starting in April 2015.
“ They Wrote The Songs “ Julie Budd has enjoyed a very multi -faceted career, that ranges from, television to film, along with the New York stage & symphonies all over the country. “ The New York Times ” raved with a full two page glowing retrospect of Julie’s career, declaring Ms. Budd “The Consummate Performer”. She began her professional career at the tender age of 12, after meeting record producer / orchestrator Herb Bernstein. Herb Bernstein, who produced Laura Nyro’s first Hit Album, was at that time, recording Merv Griffin as well. Herb immediately took Julie under his wing, and introduced her to Merv Griffin at the
recording session in New York City. And, after Merv heard Julie sing, this “Mini Girl with the Maxi Voice “
was invited to appear on more than 100 of Merv’s shows. From there, Julie went on to appear on “The Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight , and every major TV show in the country. In the years that followed, Julie co-starred with such legendary performers as, Frank Sinatra , Liberace , and Carol Burnett. As Julie Recalls; “What a way to grow up and start in this business “
“These people were wonderful to me “Some kids went to school, but I went to work and learned from the Best” “Each one of these performers was a professor to me, and I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to know them all” And Now, Today..while touring in her One Women Shows, Julie’s concerts have included performances at Lincoln Center , Carnegie Hall , The Kennedy Center , The London Palladium. Tel Aviv’s Israel Performing Art’s Center, Venues in La Vegas, and Major Symphony
Halls all over the United States. Julie also toured as Guest Artist for seven years , with The late great Marvin Hamlisch .
Julie has become a favorite to Many of the Symphony Orchestras . Julie Budd has also pursued an exciting acting career and is in the process of writing a book about her days as a Child prodigy. Julie’s CD Pure Imagination {After9 Touchwood } was named
Top Ten Cd By ” Entertainment Today ” And received a ****Four Star Rating {4Stars }
For more about Julie and how to buy her CD’s go to www.juliebudd.com
Bob Anderson, Bobby Slayton
Jan. 8 & 10, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Singing impressionist Bob Anderson guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
A Legend is Brought to Life as “FRANK – The Man. The Music.” Debuts at The Palazzo® Las Vegas
Starring Bob Anderson and featuring a 32-piece orchestra under the musical direction of Vincent Falcone, the show celebrates Frank Sinatra’s timeless sound, beginning Jan. 24. “FRANK – The Man. The Music.” performs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Fridays at 9 p.m. at The Palazzo Theatre starting Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. Tickets are now on sale. For up-to-date schedule information, including dark dates, or to purchase tickets, visit any Box Office at The Venetian or The Palazzo, go online at www.venetian.com/frank, or call (702) 414-9000.
Conceptualized and brought to life by an all-star creative team, “FRANK – The Man. The Music.” is produced by Hoboken Productions in association with Stephen Eich. Bob Anderson, a revered singing impressionist, is transformed into Sinatra with the help of Oscar®-nominated makeup artist Kazu Tsuji, who aged Brad Pitt in the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
A Las Vegas legend in his own right, Anderson moved to Las Vegas from Detroit at the age of 22 and got his start performing with Nancy Sinatra as a singer in her show at the Sahara Hotel and Casino. When Sinatra took him with her for a performance on the “The Merv Griffin Show,” Griffin discovered his ability to recreate the voices of others, a skill that made him a regular on nearly every talk and variety show in the country. Anderson went on to have his own showroom in Las Vegas for more than a decade and in 2002 was inducted into The Casino Legends Hall of Fame.
Bobby Slayton, “The Pitbull of Comedy”
Comedian Bobby Slayton, “The Pitbull of Comedy,” returns to Vegas on Jan. 30 & 31 at The South Point Showroom with Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling, and John Melendez, “Stuttering John.”
Audiences around the country may recognize Bobby from his many scene stealing roles in movies such as “Get Shorty”, “Ed Wood”, “Wayne’s World 2”, “Bandits”, and “Dreamgirls.” He’s appeared on dozens of television programs including “The Tonight Show”, “Home Improvement”, and his own Comedy Specials on both Showtime and HBO. He was a series regular on the HBO series “Mind of the Married Man” and played Joey Bishop opposite Ray Liotta and Joe Mantegna in the critically acclaimed film, “The Rat Pack”. Slayton’s distinct gravelly voice has often been heard on dozens of radio commercials and animated shows like “Dr. Katz” and “Family Guy”, and welcomed over the years on hundreds of syndicated and local radio shows with everyone from Howard Stern to Larry King. The NY Daily News called Slayton “armed and dangerous” and the Las Vegas Review Journal pointed out that “Slayton’s refusal to compromise his art has always made him worth a special trip.”
Don Brewer, Al Bernstein…
Jan. 1 & 3, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Grand Funk Railroad
Don Brewer, original founding member, co-lead singer and drummer for Grand Funk Railroad guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Known as “The American Band,” the high-energy five-piece group will play forty shows all over the USA this year. Grand Funk Railroad includes original founding member Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, We’re An American Band) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The God Of Thunder.” Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.” Singer Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned and sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 years with KISS and also has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soul man Robert Palmer.
Grand Funk Railroad is appearing at Orleans Showroom Jan. 10 & 11
Kevin Downey Jr.
Comedian Kevin Downey Jr. guests on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Kevin has headlined clubs everywhere in the U.S., and can be heard regularly on “The Bob and Tom Show”, as well as, Sirius and XM Satellite radio. He is also a proud member of Armed Forces Entertainment and he travels the world performing for the troops. Some of the bases he’s been to include Pearl Harbor, Guam, Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll, Singapore, Diego Garcia.
Kevin has also appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, “Comedy Central”, “What Not to Wear” and “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” Kevin appears at the Trop’s “Comedy Stop” in Las Vegas at least four times a year. He truly appreciates his ever-growing fan base. Kevin authors a column called, Drinking on $11 a Night, which can be read in “Bachelor Pad Magazine” and “GC” magazine, and online at usedwigs.com. Kevin’s song, “Secret Garden of Dirty Little Whores (who think they’re better than me)”, can be heard on college and traditional radio stations throughout the country. His nationally-released DVD called, “I’m not Gay, but Don’t Stop” can be found on both Amazon.com and Netflix.
Legendary “Voice of Boxing” Al Bernstein
2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee
Al Bernstein returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web.
For just over 30 years, Al Bernstein has been one of the most recognizable and respected sportscasters in America. In those three decades, the “voice of boxing” reported the funny, poignant, and bizarre events that helped shape sports television, ESPN, boxing, Las Vegas, and Showtime. With an eclectic cast of characters that includes every big name in boxing, including Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, as well as such names in the entertainment world as Rodney Dangerfield, Sylvester Stallone, Russell Crowe, and Jerry Lewis, Bernstein’s memoir will have you in stitches.
Al Bernstein has written a new book, “30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths about Boxing, Sports and TV,” and has already received a great reception. People from the sports, entertainment and media world are talking about this book.
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