Tom Papa, Tony Butala
March 24, 2015
Audio of shows posted below
Comedy veteran, actor, writer and television and radio host Tom Papa guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
After touring with Jerry Seinfeld for several years, Seinfeld personally selected Papa to be the host of The Marriage Ref, which ran for two seasons on NBC. In 2013, Papa portrayed Ray Arnett in Steven Soderbergh’s Emmy Award-winning HBO film Behind the Candelabra. He also appeared on Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer, The New Adventures of Old Christine and with Clive Owen this season on The Knick.
On the big screen, he has made appearances in movies such as Analyze That with Robert DeNiro and Billy Crystal, Comedian with Jerry Seinfeld and alongside Matt Damon in The Informant! He also provided voices and worked as a writer on 2007’s Bee Movie.
Papa’s first hour-long special, Tom Papa Live in New York City, premiered on Comedy Central in January 2012. His Rob Zombie-directed second stand-up special, Tom Papa: Freaked Out, was named one of the 10 Best Comedy Albums of 2013 by Laughspin.com. His hit SiriusXM show, Come to Papa, airs weekly on channel 99.
Tony Butala- Original founding member of The Lettermen
Tony Butala, Original founding member of The Lettermen guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote The Lettermen’s upcoming engagement at The South Point Showroom on March 25-27 at 7:30pm.
Butala estimates that the group made some 200 appearances on television shows such as Dick
Clark’s “American Bandstand” series, “Shindig”, and “Hullabaloo” were interviewed and
performed on talk shows and variety shows with Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin,
Jack Paar, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, Dinah Shore, and many others throughout the 60’s and 70’s,
cultivating new crops of fans.
Over its 50 years, the trio has gone through a few personnel changes. Engemann left in 1967,
replaced by Gary Pike, Jim Pike’s younger brother. A few years later, due to vocal problems,
Jim left the group and was replaced by his even younger brother, Donny Pike. The group stayed
stable, with this combination all through the seventies and early eighties led by the constant
member Tony Butala. Since then, Mark Preston, Ernie Pontiere, Bobby Poynton, Darren Dowler,
Don Campeau, Chad Nichols and Donovan Tea, have each had stints as members of The
Lettermen.
Comedian Michele LaFong to be featured on SIN CITY ER on March 18 at 7PM PT/9C
New series on Discovery Life Network
Las Vegas, NV-March 13, 2016- Comedian/ventriloquist Michele LaFong, and her puppets are featured in an episode of SIN CITY ER, which will be the first of several airings to run exclusively on the Discovery Life Network on March 18 at 7PM PT/9C, with repeats and airings on other networks thereafter. SIN CITY ER reveals the gritty real-life medical dramas that unfold behind Vegas’ glitzy façade. All episodes will be archived on www.discoverylife.com/tv-shows/sin-city-er/ once the episode initially airs, and will be available on iTunes.
Cineflix Media produces SIN CITY ER, which is shot on-location in Las Vegas.
In episode #6, of SIN CITY ER, Michele LaFong and her “backseat driving puppets” share their never been told story of how their lives and careers dramatically changed following a high speed, head-on collision that occurred in 2003, while driving to a three month engagement at The Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Laughlin Nevada.
Michele LaFong is the protégé of the legendary Senor Wences, the most famous international ventriloquist in the world who “passed the torch” to her, by “handing-off” his original puppets, together with the exclusive rights to perform his famous characters Johnny, the lipstick hand-puppet, and Pedro, the head in the box, as documented in LIFE Magazine, March 1998. Both make cameo appearances in Michele’s stage show and on SIN CITY ER. They will also be featured in her upcoming book.
ABOUT MICHELE LAFONG
Comedian Michele LaFong has been headlining casinos, resorts, theaters, colleges, cruise ships and comedy clubs around the country and Australia for over two decades, having had her own on-going show three times on The Las Vegas Strip. “I have been very blessed to have worked with and been mentored by some of ‘The Greats’ in show business including Debbie Reynolds, Jackie Mason and the legendary Senor Wences.”
LINKS
Michele LaFong, protégé of Senor Wences
Michele’s stud-puppet Paco
Recent footage from a reality series in development
For more information on Michele LaFong visit michelelafong.com
Michele and her puppets are available for interviews.
Email: info@michelelafong.com
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Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., Eddie Money
March 18, 2016
Audio is posted below except on Internet Explorer
5th Dimension stars Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
In recognition of 47 years in the entertainment business, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., the original stars and lead singers of the legendary group The 5th Dimension, will bring their hits to The Orleans Showroom on February 14 and 15.
McCoo and Davis have experienced success through the years as recording artists, performers and authors. Throughout their careers, McCoo and Davis have received seven Grammy awards, earned 15 gold and three platinum records, and starred in roles on both television and stage.
As part of The 5th Dimension, the group released numerous champagne and soul classics, including hits “Up, Up and Away,” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “Worst That Could Happen,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Sweet Blindness,” “Wedding Bell Blues” and “One Less Bell to Answer.”
After a decade with The 5th Dimension, McCoo and Davis decided to leave the group and establish themselves as a duo. They had immediate success with the single, “You Don’t Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show).” The song became a #1 hit and earned them a Grammy for “Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group.” Additionally, Davis devoted his efforts to a successful gospel music career and McCoo served as host of television’s “Solid Gold.”
Eddie Money guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote his upcoming appearance at The Golden Nugget on March 18.
After signing a recording contract with Columbia Records, Money burst onto the scene with his eponymous debut album in 1977. Fans immediately fell in love with Money’s sound, and the album, which went double platinum, featured hits like “Baby Hold On” and “Two Tickets to Paradise.” Money followed the success of his debut album with a stream of Top 40 hits, as well as some of the era’s most creative videos for songs like “Think I’m in Love” and “Shakin.” In 1986, Money released Can’t Hold Back, which featured the classic, Grammy-Nominated duet with Ronnie Spector, “Take Me Home Tonight.” The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album went platinum and also featured the hit “I Wanna Go Back.”
These days, Money continues to delight new and old fans alike at venues throughout the country. Having opened the summer concert season at the famous DTE Energy Music Theatre in Detroit for nearly 20 years, Money draws fans from all over who are eager to see the legendary musician. Ask any concert attendee and they’ll tell you he retains his signature style and performs with the same passion today as he did more than 30 years ago.
In addition to maintaining a busy touring schedule, Money has featured on hit television shows like “The King of Queens,” where he performed for his good friend Kevin James, and “The Drew Carey Show,” where he played Mimi’s ex-husband.
In recent years, Eddie has been joined on tour by his daughter, Jesse Money. Jesse, who was on MTV’s “Rock The Cradle,” is a talented and charismatic vocalist who has chosen to follow in her father’s footsteps. While on tour with Eddie, Jesse sings back-up vocals and adds an exciting twist to the duet “Take Me Home Tonight.” Eddie and his wife Laurie also have four sons – Zachary, Joseph, Desmond, and Julian.
Along with having sold more than 28 million records, Money’s songs have appeared in dozens of movies and television shows, and have recently been included in hit video games like “Grand Theft Auto” and “Guitar Hero.”
For more go to http://www.eddiemoney.com
TweetCarlos Mencia, Esteban
Feb. 18, 2016
Audio posted below except on Internet Explorer
Comedian Carlos Mencia returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong. In a candid “comic to comic” videotaped interview at Treasure Island, following Mencia’s phone interview on our radio show, Carlos reveals the true story behind his lack of popularity amongst his comic peers, since his success on “Mind of Mencia” on Comedy Central.
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–>
Musician “Man in Black” – Esteban
Esteban & Teresa Joy- live in-studio on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
The magical artistry of “Esteban,” and his guitar, will make its debut at The Smith Center, Thursday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. A Las Vegas resident, “Esteban,” will perform along with his daughter, violinist Teresa Joy, and his band of outstanding musicians. Show times are set for 7 p.m.
After a relentless pursuit in Los Angeles, Segovia finally permitted Esteban to play for him in 1974. When Segovia heard Esteban play, he invited him to Santiago de Compostela, in northern Spain, for master classes. After these classes, Segovia invited Esteban to Madrid to study privately with the maestro in Segovia’s famous 4th floor studio. For four years, Esteban studied with the master in Spain and in the U.S. In 1978, Segovia gave Esteban his endorsement. Esteban returned to the U.S. and began touring.
Since then, Esteban has topped the Billboard charts many times with his numerous albums, videos and DVDs, and has had first-time music history successes never before accomplished by any guitarist. He has been on the front page of the Wall Street Journal for his famous appearances and record-setting album sales on Home Shopping Network.
More about Esteban here–>
You can catch Esteban at The Smith Center, Cabaret Jazz Theater – Feb, 21
Reservations
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Tommy Davidson, Kevin Meaney
Feb 11, 2016
Audio posted below except on Internet Explorer
Comedians Tommy Davidson and Kevin Meaney guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Tommy will be appearing at Treasure Island with David Alan Grier on Feb. 12.
Tommy’s elasticity as a performer has led him through a diverse array of roles including the lead in the Disney animated series The Proud Family and his hilarious character in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Tommy has starred in four successful Showtime specials to date (On Strength of New York, Illin’ in Philly and Takin’ it to DC and Chocolate Sundaes). Most recently, Tommy has been working on the just-renewed second season of his hit series, Black Dynamite, Adult Swim’s #1 top-rated show. Next up on the feature film front is the extraordinary story of the international celebrity Sammy Davis Jr. whose outsize talent couldn’t save him from himself in, “Deconstructing Sammy,” which Tommy bought the rights to last year and is in development on.
Known for the indelible characters he created on the iconic variety show and spot-on impersonations from iconic figures like Sammy Davis Jr. and President Obama, Tommy is truly the ultimate all-around performer. Selling out every venue in which he performs, Tommy Davidson promises an unforgettable in-studio of incisive wit, hilarious panel, memorable takeaways and big laughs.
Kevin Meaney
Kevin Meaney guests on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Kevin has been one of the country’s most popular standup comedians for more than 25 years. Tom Shales of the Washington Post said, “Picture the precocious love child of Jonathan Winters and Ethel Merman and you have some idea of Kevin Meaney’s act.”
His first HBO special in 1986 catapulted him to the forefront of the comedy scene. In 1987, Kevin made his debut appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and was invited by Johnny to join the guest panel. Since his first appearance, Kevin has returned to the show a dozen times. He was a special guest on Saturday Night Live and has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, Regis, Oprah and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Kevin also starred in the CBS sitcom Uncle Buck which ran for a full season. In addition, he has done numerous guest appearances on both sitcoms and dramas. He also had a featured role in the movie Big.
Known for drawing upon his family relationships for much of his material, Kevin has made such lines as “That’s not Right” and “We’re Big Pants People” and “We’re going to lose the house” (delivered in the tremulous voice of his mother) catch phrases for hilarity. An evening with Kevin is a trip to the funhouse and one laugh escalates into a bigger one and good-hearted humor prevails.
Kevin is also a successful writer and producer. He wrote and produced and starred in a one-man autobiographical play titled Wedding Vows in Vegas which premiered at the prestigious U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado before going on to
a successful summer run in Boston at the Hasty Pudding Theatre. Steve Martin called it, “The most innovative, heart-rending and funny show I’ve seen in along, long time.”
In 2002, Kevin moved home to NY from Los Angeles and began working on Broadway in the hit musical, Hairspray. Hairspray
has been a life changing experience for Kevin and during an interview on XM Radio’s Stand Up Sit Down on May 28, 2008, Kevin told the host that he was gay.
It’s been a big transition but he’s seemed to find humor in how this all happened.
So, Big Pants People of the world unite… your leader is here,his name is Kevin Meaney and he’s on a mission of mirth.
Kevin is currently living in New York with his daughter.
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Mick Foley, “The Reverend” Bob Levy
Jan. 28, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below
Mick Foley, legendary professional wrestler, turned multi best-selling author, turned stand-up comic, “spoken word performer,” guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, together with “The Reverend” Bob Levy, to promote their upcoming dates at The South Point Showroom Feb 5 & 6 at 7:30pm.
One of the cornerstones of WWE’s meteoric rise in the late 90’s, Mick Foley earned the nickname ‘The Hardcore Legend’ for his ability to absorb seemingly inhuman punishment in some of the most dramatic matches in sports-entertainment history. Already a respected veteran for his 11 physically punishing years wrestling under the name Cactus Jack, Foley’s career soared to new heights in WWE as ‘Mankind’, a character Foley claimed was inspired by a combination of reading ‘Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein’ and listening to the music of Tori Amos.
As Cactus Jack, Foley won the 1995 ‘King of the Deathmatch’ tournament in Yokohama, Japan, and continued wrestling, despite the amputation of his right ear, in a match against Vader in Munich, Germany in 1994. As Mankind, Foley was a 3-time WWE Champion, but is best known for his epic and brutal battle with The Undertaker in 1998’s ‘Hell in a Cell’ match, during which he was knocked unconscious after falls both off of and through the 16 foot Cell structure. Despite the injury, Foley finished the match – with one of his front teeth lodged in his nose.
With retirement looming as a result of that physically demanding style, Foley penned his own memoir, ‘Have a Nice Day’ without the aid of a ghost-writer – writing 200,000 words in longhand in 50 days. The book showcased Foley’s paradoxical blend of wit and wisdom, wildness and warmth, and shocked the literary world by hitting number one on The New York Times best-seller list in October, 1999. The book remained on the Times list for twenty six weeks. A follow-up, 2001’s ‘Foley is Good’ hit number one on The New York Times list as well. Foley has published a total of ten books; four memoirs, four children’s books and two novels.
After speaking at some of the United Stated most respected colleges and universities – including MIT, Syracuse University, Notre Dame and The University of Miami, Foley decided to take his verbal skills to the stand-up comedy stage in 2009. 2012 saw Foley earn rave reviews for his comedy sets at ‘Just for Laughs’ in Montreal, and the ‘Edinburgh (UK) Fringe Fest’ – the two largest comedy festivals in the world. He is currently represented by Innovative Artists.
Foley’s acting credentials include ’30 Rock’, ‘Warren the Ape’, Now and Again’, ‘G vs E’ and ‘Boy Meets World’ and he was featured in the critically acclaimed documentary ‘Beyond the Mat’ He has done voice work on ‘Squidbillies’ ‘Celebrity Death Match’ and ‘Avatar: the Last Airbender’ and was featured in a 2012 episode of ‘Celebrity Wife Swap’. His list of guest appearances include ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, ‘The Late Show with Jay Leno’, ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’, ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, ‘Good Morning America’, ‘Family Feud’ ‘Redeye’, ‘Larry King Live’ and several appearances on ‘Today’.
He was featured in a 2010 story on ‘ABC’s World News Tonight’ for his work as an online volunteer with RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization. Foley was also recognized for his work with RAINN at 2010’s ‘Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear’ – where he was awarded a Medal of Reasonableness’ from Jon Stewart.
Foley lives with his wife and four children on Long Island. His latest book, ‘A Most Mizerable Christmas’ will be published in October, 2012 by DK Books. The Foley’s have sponsored children with Child-Fund International for twenty years.
“The Reverend” Bob Levy
“The Reverend” Bob Levy guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, to promote his upcoming dates at The South Point Showroom on Feb. 5 & 6 with Mick Foley.
Levy is a stand-up comedian, radio personality and former wrestler who is best known as being a regular personality on The Howard Stern Show as well as being the co-host of the Miserable Men show on Howard 101. He has often been the host of comedy roasts, is a frequent guest on the Opie and Anthony Show and was a stand-up comedy performer on the Killers of Comedy tour.
Bob was raised on Great Kills, Staten Island. Before his career as a comedian, Levy worked as a landscaper, a painter and a wrestler at the semi-professional level under the name “Heartbreaker” Bobby Slayer.
During Levy’s early days in comedy, former Stern show writer Jackie Martling awarded Levy the title “Reverend.” When asked why he was given the name in an article, Levy replied “…because I was a filthy fuckin’ pig, and he wanted to call me the opposite of what I was doing onstage…”.
Levy was heard daily on the Kidd Chris morning show on WYSP in Philadelphia as an on-air guest, until they were fired in May 2008. Levy also opened a weekend comedy club in Levittown, Pennsylvania and three other comedy clubs in Easton, Florida.
He hosted two radio shows. One was on WNJC 1360 AM in the Philadelphia area, ‘Rising with The Reverend Bob Levy’ (with co-hosts Will Bozarth and John Kensil). The other was on WUFC 1510 AM in the Boston area, ‘The Bob Levy Show’ (with co-host Joe Conte). Both stations have changed formats and no longer air the shows. Bob currently produces podcasts of his shows available on the Radio Misfits website. He is in the upcoming film documentary “Whats a Podcast” that’s currently in pre-production.
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