Tony Orlando, Anthony Cools
August 18, 2016
Audio posted below except on Internet Explorer
Tony Orlando guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Tony Orlando brings to the stage a warmth and exhilarating energy that electrifies an audience. From million selling records (five number one hits), a popular television variety series, movies and Broadway (Barnum and Smokey Joe’s Café), Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business.
Through no plans of his own, Tony was coaxed into putting his voice on a demo record for a song titled “Candida” for his friends Hank Medress and Dave Appell at Bell Records. The record was released under the name of the record promotion director’s daughter, Dawn.
“I think it is really the rule of show business that every big break you get you back into it without knowing it at the time. A few weeks after recording ‘Candida’ I had forgotten all about it. And then Hank Medress calls me and says, ‘Hey man, we’ve got a hit!’ The crazy thing was the song kept climbing the charts till it hit number one,” says Orlando.
Hoping lightning would strike again, Medress had Orlando recorded “Knock Three Times.” The song not only became number one, it was the tip song of 1971 selling over six million copies worldwide. The immense popularity of the song is still evident today. Tony’s recording of the song was featured in the hit movie Now and Then.
Realizing it was probably safe to give up his successful career at CBS Records, Tony decided to jump full force into what was already a meteoric rise to the top. Along with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, Tony Orlando and Dawn became an international sensation.
Amazingly enough, Tony hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his stardom. In 1973 he recorded “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree.” The song was number one for the year, became Orlando’s theme song and grew into an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal.
More about Tony Orlando here–>
You can catch Tony Orlando headlining at South Point Showroom.
The Showroom at South Point, August 19-21 – 7:30pm
Hypnotist – Anthony Cools
World-famous hypnotist Anthony Cools performs at Paris Las Vegas, using his skills for decidedly evil purposes, tapping into the carnal desires and subconscious naughtiness of his audience, shearing off all inhibitions.
Not only is Cools the only hypnotist playing in a casino on the Las Vegas Strip, his show is the longest-running hypnotist show in Las Vegas history, and the longest-running show at Paris Las Vegas.
Signature stunts in his hilarious and interactive 90-minute show include handshakes that induce vocal, sexual responses, as well as several other tricks so shocking, we can’t even print them.
More about Anthony Cools here–>
You can catch Anthony Cools headlines at Paris Las Vegas.
Anthony Cools Showroom, Nightly 9:00pm, Dark Mon & Wed
Carlos Mencia, Mathew Gunnar
August 4, 2016
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Comedian Carlos Mencia, and Mathew Nelson, son of Ricky Nelson, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
In a candid “comic to comic” interview at Treasure Island, following Mencia’s phone interview on our radio show, Carlos answers accusations of stealing comedy material from his peers, which led to the cancellation of “Mind of Mencia” on Comedy Central.
One of the controversial youtube videos that LaFong discussed with Mencia is posted on the link below:
Comic Joe Rogan confronts Carlos Mencia about stealing material from fellow comics during a set he was performing at The Comedy Store. http://youtu.be/gdugSUFbzws
Currently on the road with his “C 4 URself” Tour, comedic superstar Carlos Mencia. Mencia has appearances on television shows including “In Living Color” and “An Evening at the Improv.” In 2000, he released a comedy album called “Take a Joke, America” that showcased his brand of confrontational humor. In 2002, he received a CableACE Award nomination for “Best Stand-Up Comedy Special” for his HBO special, and was featured on “Comedy Central Presents” later that year. In early 2005, “Mind of Mencia” debuted on Comedy Central, which drew an average of 1.5 million viewers. His most recent Comedy Central special, “New Territory,” debuted in December 2011.
His acting credits include starring opposite Ben Stiller and Michelle Monaghan in 2007’s “The Heartbreak Kid,” and in 2010 he starred in “Our Family Wedding” with Forrest Whittaker and America Ferrara.
For more about Carlos Mencia, click here–>
Mathew Nelson (The Nelson Twins)
Mathew Nelson of The Nelson Twins are appearing at The Golden Nugget on Aug. 5 in “Ricky Nelson Remembered”.
Their music has stood the test of time. Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, revered for unforgettable past hits, explore fresh creative territory in the present with their new project, “Lightning Strikes Twice”. Magical melodic songwriting and soaring sibling harmonies continue to ensure that this dynamic duo is still a vital part of the music scene’s future.
“After the Rain” was the debut multi-platinum album by NELSON, the band led by twins
Matthew and Gunnar in the early 1990s. They zoomed to number one with their hit song,
“(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” which made history landing America’s iconic Nelson family (bandleader Ozzie Nelson, rock legend Rick Nelson, and twins Matthew & Gunnar) into the Guinness Book of World Records as the ONLY family in Entertainment with 3 successive generations of #1 hitmakers. NELSON’s “After the Rain” record and tour became a phenomenon just prior to the rise of grunge. The last major success of the good time rock’n’roll era, NELSON has had (1) Number One, (4) Top Ten, and (5) Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hit singles, plus (5) #1 MTV videos and has sold over 6.5 million albums worldwide!
For more go to http://www.Nelsonrocks.com
TweetComedian Cocoa Brown, “The Mentalist”
July 28, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below (scroll down)
Comedian Cocoa Brown guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
After a very successful tour with comedian mike Epps actress comedian Cocoa Brown will be performing on Shaquille O’Neil’s All-Star comedy jam at the Rio in Las Vegas this week taping live for the showtime network. Coco is best known for his starring role as “Jennifer” on Tyler Perry’s For better or worse, on the Oprah network, Juror “queen bee” on FX, American crime story, people versus OJ Simpson and the films ted two and single moms club cocoa brown recently released her comedy CD one funny mama, which is currently available on iTunes.
Gerry McCambridge “The Mentalist”
Gerry McCambridge aka The Mentalist guests on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Starting in October 2007 he appeared on Phenomenon with Criss Angel and Uri Geller.
On June 25, 2008, Gerry McCambridge celebrated his 500th Las Vegas performance having been in that city for three years. McCambridge is the longest running mentalist show in Las Vegas history.
On May 12, 2004 Gerry had his first prime-time network TV special titled “The Mentalist.” Over 6.2 million viewers tuned in to watch the one hour special.
In 1999, the International Magicians Society presented Gerry with the “Merlin Award” for “Mentalist of the Decade”. Gerry was the first mentalist in history to receive the Merlin award for mentalism since the organizations inception in 1968.
In 2002 Gerry wrote his first TV script titled “The Mentalist” and took it out to Los Angeles to pitch it to the networks. Jeff Zucker, the president of NBC witnessed Gerry’s live performances many times, and instantly bought the show for his network. Gerry became the creator, executive producer and star of the hit prime-time network television show “The Mentalist” which started airing to millions around the world in May 2004.
In 2005 the Psychic Entertainers Association again awarded Gerry. This time he received the “Mentalist of the Year” award.
In June 2005 Gerry moved his one man show “The Mentalist” from New York City to Las Vegas. The show was an instant success in Sin City. The Las Vegas Review Journal readers poll nominated him “Best Magician” in all Las Vegas.
In October 2007 Gerry starred in the reality television series “Phenomenon” with Criss Angel and Uri Geller.
In 2008 CBS thought the concept of merging the skills of a mentalist with a detective was so interesting, they contacted Gerry and asked him to help with a weekly TV series based on that concept.
In August 2008, the International Magicians Society presented Gerry with the “Merlin Award” for “Mentalist of the Year.”
In 2009 he was voted one of the “Top 10 Absolutely Have To See” shows in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Weekly Magazine.
In 2010 the Las Vegas Review Journal readers poll placed Gerry’s show as the “Best Bargain Show in all of Las Vegas.”
Gerry is performing at the V Theatre, Planet Hollywood H&C , nightly 7:30pm-dark Wed.
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BJ Thomas, Jackie Martling
July 21, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below (scroll down)
Five-time Grammy® Award winning hit-maker BJ Thomas, guests on “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong. LVBST radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
Five-time Grammy® Award winning hit-maker BJ Thomas will perform at the Golden Nugget on July 22.
In 1966, Thomas released his first hit record, a cover of Hank Williams classic, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” From 1967 to 1975, Thomas charted numerous hits, including: “The Eyes of a New York Woman,” “Hooked on a Feeling,” “It’s Only Love,” and “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.”
Thomas is perhaps best-known for “Rain Drops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” featured in the 1969 movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and winner of an Academy Award® for “Best Original Song.” Since then, the song has been featured in numerous movies, including “Forrest Gump,” “Clerks II,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and “Spider-Man 2.”
During the ‘80s, Thomas’ music crossed over to the country charts with “Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love,” “New Looks from an Old Lover” and “Two Car Garage.” He became the 60th member of the Grand Old Opry in 1981.
In 1985, Thomas recorded “As Long As We’ve Got Each Other” which was later used as the theme song for the hit ABC sitcom, “Growing Pains.”
In 2007, he released his fourth holiday album, “Home for Christmas.”
More about BJ Thomas here–>
Comedian – Jackie ‘The Joke Man’ Martling
Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling guests on LVBST and will talk about his experiences on “The Howard Stern Show,” and his life on stage, and off, since leaving.
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–>
TweetDon McCLean, Judy Collins
July 7, 2016
Audio posted posted below except on Internet Explorer
Legendary artists Don McLean and Judy Collins guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
In 1969, McLean recorded his first album “Tapestry” in Berkeley, Calif. Student riots were going on outside the studio as Don was singing “And I Love You So” inside. The album was first released by Mediarts and achieved commercial success.
His transition to international stardom began with the release of “American Pie” in 1971. A month later, McLean’s song first played on New York’s WNEW-FM and WPLJ-FM to mark the closing of The Fillmore East, the famous New York concert hall. Thirty years later, the song was voted # 5 in a poll of the “365 Songs of the Century” compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
In 2004, McLean was inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame and has charted 40 gold and platinum records during his career. For more go to http://www.don-mclean.com/
Judy Collins
Judy Collins is appearing at The Santa Fe Hotel & Casino July 15. The Award-winning singer-songwriter Collins’ rendition of Joni Mitchell’s, “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, “Wildflowers,” has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical “A Little Night Music,” won “Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards.
In 2008, contemporary and classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Arlo Gutherie, Joan Baez and Leonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album “Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.” For more go to http://judycollins.com/index1.php
TweetCharlie Murphy, Alonzo Bodden
June 30, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below (Except on Internet Explorer)
Comedian Charlie Murphy and Alonzo Bodden guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Charlie Murphy is apprearing at The Orleans Showroom on July 2 & 3.
Murphy has a history in Hollywood comedy, having worked with his younger brother Eddie Murphy in movies and comedy as well as spending time as a cast member and writer on celebrated Comedy Central sketch series, “Chapelle’s Show.” He has also appeared on a wide variety of television talk, variety and news shows, including “Lopez Tonight,” “The Monique Show,” “The Joy Behar Show” and Fox Business’s “National Primetime Show.”
Murphy’s first major role in a motion picture was in the 1993 film “CB4,” where he portrayed the antagonist, Gusto. Additionally, Murphy has appeared in “The Guys Who Move Furniture,” “Lottery Ticket,” “Our Family Wedding,” “A Perfect Holiday,” “Kings Ransom,” “Roll Bounce,” Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” and “Mo’ Betta Blues,” “Unearthed,” “Night At The Museum” and “Harlem Nights.”
Murphy’s screenwriting credits include “Norbit,” starring Eddie Murphy, which opened #1 at the box office, a remake of “The Incredible Shrinking Man,” “Vampire In Brooklyn,” “Paper Soldiers” and “Tales of the Dogg.”
In late February 2010, the stand-up special, “Charlie Murphy: I Will Not Apologize” premiered on Comedy Central, followed by the filming of his second live stand-up DVD, “Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip” in 2012.
Alonzo Bodden
Alonzo Bodden, winner of season three of “Last Comic Standing,” returns on LV Backstage Talk radio show with Michele LaFong.
He has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Late Show with Craig Kilborne,” “The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show,” and Comedy Central, to name a few. Bodden has hosted numerous TV series including “101 Cars You Must Drive” on Speed TV and “America’s Worst Driver” on the Travel Channel. He was a panelist on “Inside The Vault,” a syndicated TV show from Telepictures. He’s played a security guard, bouncer, criminal, or cop on numerous shows including, “Angel,” and ABC’s “The Neighbors,” as well as in the films “Bringing Down the House” starring Steve Martin and “Scary Movie 4.” He can be seen on season seven of “Californication,” and has a Showtime special and DVD titled “Who’s Paying Attention?”
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