Frank Caliendo, Chuck Negron
October 6, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below
Comedian, actor and impressionist Frank Caliendo, and legendary vocalist Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Caliendo is perhaps best known for his impressions of famous actors Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro; former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; broadcasters John Madden and Charles Barkley; and talk show hosts Dr. Phil, Jay Leno, and David Letterman.
A veteran of televised comedy, Caliendo has starred in numerous television shows including “MADtv,” “Mike & Mike,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and his own series on TBS “Frank TV” in 2007 and 2008.
From 2003 to 2012, Caliendo was a fixture on the “Fox NFL Sunday” pregame show where he worked with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and the rest of the team. His “Frank’s Picks” segments were featured during the broadcasts of Super Bowls XXXIX, XLII and XLV.
Frank is appearing at The Orleans Showroom Oct. 7 & 8 at 8pm
Chuck Negron
Legendary Vocalist Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Among Three Dog Night’s biggest hit songs featuring Negron’s soulful, four-octave range and unique vocal styling: “Joy To The World,” “Easy To Be Hard,” “Old-Fashioned Love Song” and “Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog,” which appeared on the multi-Grammy nominated and 1971 Record Of The Year “Joy To The World.”
“Am I Still In Your Heart” was Negron’s first solo release in 1995, followed by a Christmas release of “Joy To The World” in 1996. Negron spent two years writing his book “Three Dog Nightmare” and recorded the accompanying soundtrack CD “The Long Road Back.” His fourth solo effort “Chuck Negron – Live In Concert” recorded at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas was released in 2001 and the original song “Took Me Under” was nominated in 2002 for a PRISM Award for Best Song. In 2005, Negron released “The Chuck Negron Story: Biography of an Entertainer,” which won several awards including the 2006 PRISM “Video to Production” Award.
TweetOtis Williams, Olate Dogs
September 29, 2016
Audio is posted below
Otis Williams, original founding member of The Temptations, and Nick Olate & Olate Dogs, NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” winner 2012, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
For more than 40 years, The Temptations have shined as pioneers of popular music, with decades of smash hits and sold-out performances. An essential component of the original Motown machine invented by Berry Gordy, The Temptations began their musical career in Detroit in the early ‘60s. In 1964, Smokey Robinson wrote and produced “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” the first major hit for The Temptations. An avalanche of hits followed, including “My Girl,” “It’s Growing,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” and “I Wish It Would Rain.”
Hear the stories behind the hits in this very candid interview.
For more about Otis Williams, click here.
For more about The Temptations, click here.
You can catch Otis Williams w/ The Temptations at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Oct 1 & 2 at 8:00pm
NBC’s America’s Got Talent Winner 2012 – “Olate Dogs”
For more about Olate Dogs, click here.
Live in-studio, on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, are Richard and son, Nick Olate, and four of the Star Olate Dogs that won the million dollar prize this year on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
Richard Olate is from Chile South America. He is the second youngest in a family of 22 children. His family was very poor. There were many times when they would not have enough to eat for days at a time. His story is not a sad one though. At age 12 he got a dog from the street. He loved the dog and found that he might have a feel for training. There are many dogs roaming the streets in Chile, so guess what……? When he had put together a routine, he, with his mother’s help, booked his amateur act at schools and small circuses. He quickly got a regular performance schedule but needed more help. His older brother soon joined him and together they decided they could do something special. They were right! They worked hard creating a very unique dog act. They spent the next few years traveling with different circuses throughout South America and in 1989 they premiered in the United States of America. They have been here ever since. Richard has appeared with his dogs in many television shows, made commercials, been in a movie, and worked in stage, night club and circus performances. A true testament that, no matter where you come from, hard work and determination makes dreams come true.
TweetDana Carvey, Rhonda Vincent
September 22, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below
Dana Carvey returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. LVBST radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
Carvey rose to national prominence during a six-year run as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” where he created memorable characters “Church Lady,” “Garth” and “Hans” and spot-on impersonations of President George H.W. Bush, Johnny Carson, Ross Perot and Regis Philbin. Carvey’s work on “SNL” garnered him six Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 1993 for “Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.” He also received multiple American Comedy Awards.
On the big screen, Carvey appeared in supporting roles in “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Racing with the Moon” and “Tough Guys.” He starred in films “Opportunity Knocks,” “Wayne’s World,” “Wayne’s World 2,” “Clean Slate,” “The Road to Wellville” and “Master of Disguise.” Most recently, he had a cameo appearance in “Jack and Jill.”
For more about Dana Carvey here.
You can catch Dana Carvey live at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Sept. 23 & 24 8:00pm
Rhonda Vincent
Bluegrass vocalist and fiddler Rhonda Vincent began her professional music career at the age of five, playing drums with her family’s band, the Sally Mountain Show. She picked up the mandolin at eight and the fiddle at ten, performing with the family band at festivals on weekends. After appearing on TNN’s nationally televised You Can Be a Star program in her mid-twenties, Vincent struck out on her own, singing with the Grand Ole Opry’s Jim Ed Brown, eventually leading to a deal with Rebel Records. Her work with Brown and her Rebel recordings caught the attention of Giant Nashville’s president, James Stroud, who signed Vincent to record two contemporary country albums. After her time at Giant, she moved to Rounder Records, and demonstrated her passion for the traditional music she grew up with on Back Home Again.
Recorded in front of a hometown crowd in St. Louis, Ragin’ Live arrived in 2005, followed by All American Bluegrass Girl in 2006, Good Thing Going in 2008, and Destination Life in 2009. After parting ways with longtime label Rounder Records, Vincent released Taken in 2010, and followed it with 2011’s Your Money and , My Good Looks a duets album with Gene Watson. Released in 2012, Sunday Mornin’ Singin’: Live! was a gospel-themed album and DVD recorded at the 100-year-old Greentop United Methodist Church in Greentop, Missouri, where Vincent first began singing in public as a child. Early in 2014, Vincent returned with Only Me, a double-disc set that showcased her bluegrass and country roots. The year 2015 saw the release of her second holiday album, Christmas Time, which featured four new originals and a rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” that boasted guests spots from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, the Oak Ridge Boys, and several others.
Learn more about Rhonda Vincent at http://www.rhondavincent.com
TweetCrystal Gayle, Pia Zadora
September 15, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below
Grammy Award Winner, Crystal Gayle guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. As always, Michele gets “personal with the stars,” asking Crystal about what it was like to start out in the shadows of her sister Loretta Lynn, and many other things that are not the normal struggles of every singer.
In the wake…her hit list of platinum and gold record sales was to be matched only by her awards and accolades. CMA’s “Female Vocalist Of The Year,” for two consecutive years, she became a Grammy Award Winner for “Best Female Vocal Performance,” thanks to her beloved “Brown Eyes” – a song that she today admits she has never grown tired of singing. Crystal swept the Academy Of Country Music Awards for three of their “Top Female Vocalist” statuettes. As her music and her career path widened to mainstream audiences—so did her accolades. She is the recipient of three “American Music Awards” –voted by the nation as America’s “Favorite Female Artist.”
The glamour and the mystique of the Crystal Gayle phenomena made her an instantly “ in demand” artist. From symphony halls to Carnegie Hall…from the best kept stages in Las Vegas to the prestige of the London Palladium… one word—“Crystal”—crossed musical genres and oceans.
Crystal Gayle will be appearing at The South Point Hotel & Casino Sept. 16 & 17 at 7:30pm.
For more about Crystal Gayle: crystalgayle.com
Pia Zadora
Pia Zadora guests in-studio on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Golden Globe winner, GRAMMY Award® nominee, ShoWest winner, accomplished singer, film and Broadway star all describe Pia Zadora. Performing since the age of six, for those who have seen her in concert, what comes to mind first and describes this multi-talented performer is simply this: Pia Zadora is the complete entertainer. For more information, visit http://piazadora.com or follow her on Twitter @OfficialPiaZ.
Consummate performer and Las Vegas resident Pia Zadora joins forces with another notable mainstay, Piero’s Italian Cuisine, with the opening of “Pia’s Place,” a space long known as the “Monkey Bar.” Zadora will perform in the intimate room Friday and Saturday evenings indefinitely at 9 p.m.
At “Pia’s Place,” the chanteuse reunites with legendary Sinatra pianist and musical director Vincent Falcone rounding out a quartet. Zadora will showcase her versions of standards such as “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Old Black Magic,” and “All of Me,” as well as a variety
Pia Zadora performs in “Pia’s Place” at Piero’s Italian Cuisine, 355 Convention Center Drive, on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 9 p.m. beginning September 19. A cover of $30 includes two drinks. Must be 21 and over with a valid ID.
TweetBill Maher, Jarrett & Raja, Tommy Lama
September 1, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below
Comedian Bill Maher, Vegas Magic Duo Jarrett & Raja, and Tommy Savitt, the comedian behind “Tommy Lama”, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Bill has set the boundaries of political humor on what is just about allowed on American television, yet still manages to push the envelope on a frequent basis. His combination of unflinching honesty and blunt observations have earned him a staggering 23 Emmy nominations, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and he will be showing off his stuff as he hits the Terry Fator Theatre in Las Vegas , NV , September 3 – October 1, 2016
Particularly known for his hugely critical views on religion, Maher’s humor squares to the left of center, and has more often than not set his cross-hairs on the right-wing political movement (particularly the Tea Party), and shows a vociferous support for universal health care, same-sex marriage and environmentalism. However, since the events of 9/11, he has supported racial profiling at transport hubs, and is a supporter of gun rights.
As well as his long-running television panel show Real Time With Bill Maher, he is still a keen participant on the political comedy circuit, often performing over 60 dates per year.
Vegas Magic Duo Jarrett & Raja
Vegas Magic Duo Jarrett & Raja guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, to promote the opening of their new show “One Epic Night” at The Plaza, for a limited run through January.
Jarrett & Raja, known as The Magic and Piano Guys, are set to open their show “One EPIC
Night” at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas at the end of August, 2016. Featuring 3 singers from the NBC hit
show “The Voice”, “American Idol”, and an all-star band, the guys are truly bringing magic with music in this
dynamic and very exciting show.
This ground-breaking duo just appeared on ABC’s hit TV show “Shark Tank” where they performed and stood
before Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec. Jarrett & Raja were
one of only 140 entrepreneurs selected from over 43,000 applicants to the ABC show, produced by Mark Burnett
Productions.
The charismatic magic duo has also been seen on NBC’s #1 hit show, “America’s Got Talent” as semi-finalists
and were Howie Mandel’s favorite Wild Card pick (season 7) where they produced a full orchestra on stage. They
also appeared in SyFy’s “Wizard Wars” with Penn & Teller (2014), BBC’s “The Slammer” (2013), and are
currently on their 3rd season of The CW’s “Masters of Illusion” hosted by Dean Cain (2014 – 2016).
The two talents came together in an impromptu performance at The Friar’s Club in NYC. They first performed as
a cabaret act in Greenwich Village, Lincoln Center, and at Hollywood’s prestigious Magic Castle. After moving to
Las Vegas, they immediately landed a residency at The Regent Hotel in Summerlin. They could also be seen in
the popular “Golden Rainbow” shows in Las Vegas.
For more info go to www.patreon.com/jarrettandraja
Comedian Tommy Savitt as Tommy Lama
Self-proclaimed Brooklyn Life Coach Stand-Up Comedian Tommy Lama, brings his unmatched and unorthodox wisdom to the Laugh Factory where he delivers this original comedy act to his “disciples” five nights a week. It is a parody of the motivational and spiritual speakers seeking to give his audience a backwards education in enlightenment. Equipped with a number of instruments, tarot cards, and his own custom-made underwear for protection when not in his presence, Tommy Lama’s new spiritually healing hilarity shows Thursday through Monday inside the Tropicana Resort and Casino.
Tommy Savitt, the comedian behind the Tommy Lama, is a multi-award winning comedian with 15 years of performing experience. Originally a lawyer, Tommy Savitt gave up his career in Real Estate Law to pursue stand-up comedy and acting in productions of Shakespeare in New York City. He has performed on the radio for the Bob & Tom Show as well as Blue Collar Radio. He has also been around the world performing for troops. Tommy Savitt’s alter-ego, The Tommy Lama, has proven a huge hit.
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Ventriloquist Ronn Lucas
August 25, 2016
Audio of interviews posted below (except on Internet Explorer)
http://deadline.com/2015/09/americas-got-talent-winner-paul-zerdin-stole-acts-ventriloquists-say-1201538584/ http://deadline.com/2015/09/americas-got-talent-winner-paul-zerdin-stole-acts-ventriloquists-say-1201538584/
Ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, speaks out in an exclusive interview with Comedian and Ventriloquist Michele LaFong, host of Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show, following headlines of accusations that Million Dollar winner of America’s Got Talent, Paul Zerdin, (“Britains most Famous Ventriloquist”) stole American Ventriloquists’ acts. Ventriloquist David Strassman has also been quoted making similar allegations. Ronn is appearing at The Suncoast H&C August 26 & 27 at 7:30pm
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