Las Vegas Backstage Talk

Paul Williams, Bob Cowsill-LVBST

July 17, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

 Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)

Paul Williams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singer/Songwriter Paul Williams returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.  LV Backstage Talk radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe winning songwriter Paul Williams is recognized as one of America’s most prolific and gifted lyricists and composers. A ‘Hall of Fame’ songwriter and recipient of the 2004 National Music Publishers President’s Award, Williams’ standards have been recorded by such diverse musical icons as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Tony Bennett, R.E.M., Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, Mel Torme and Diana Ross.

His songs have also found favor with Country legends including Chet Atkins, Garth Brooks, The Dixie Chicks, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Pride, Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Lynn Anderson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Diamond Rio and Neil McCoy. When asked which song is his favorite, Paul is quick to respond, “That’s easy! It’s “The Rainbow Connection.” It’s a thrill to hear my words interpreted by such inimitable talents as Sarah McLachlan, Willie Nelson, Judy Collins and Kermit the Frog!”

Williams will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, as well as LaFong’s monthly syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” column in Gaming Today.

More about Paul Williams here!

Paul performs at The South Point Showroom on July 19 & 20

Cowsills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Cowsill

Bob Cowsill guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.

The chirpy, bubble-gum singing family from Newport, Rhode Island who inspired TV’s The Partridge Family (1970) (not to mention the sibling-oriented groups “The Jackson 5″ and The Osmonds”) would expand over the years to include siblings Billy (born 1948); twins Bob and Dick (born 1950); Paul (born 1952); Barry (born 1954); John (born 1956) and little sister Susan (born 1959), plus their mom Barbara (born 1929).

The group originally formed in 1965 with just two brothers (Billy and Bob) who were heavily influenced by “The Everly Brothers,” but Barry and John quickly joined in when their obsessions turned to “The Beatles.” Booked at school dances, college parties, church socials, hotels and clubs, their first recorded single was “All I Really Want to Be Is Me.” The boys were discovered by a producer for NBC’s “Today” show who booked them for an appearance. They soon came to the attention of Mercury Records who produced their singles “Party Girl,” “Most of All” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “A Most Peculiar Man,” all of which floundered. MGM Records picked them up after Mercury dropped them and released their debut album, initially started by Mercury, in November of 1967.

By early the following year the harmonic family had their first pop hit single “The Rain, the Park, & Other Things” (mom Barbara had joined in to sing on the record and stayed) which went to #2 on the pop charts and went gold. The “family” angle really kicked in after this and siblings Susan and Paul were quickly filtered into the group. Extensive touring ensued (billed as “America’s First Family of Song”) with plenty of network TV show appearances (“The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Tonight Show”). The wholesome Cowsills hosted their own NBC-TV special and even became spokespersons for the American Dairy Association, appearing in milk commercials and print ads. They also recorded the popular TV theme to the comedy anthology Love, American Style (1969). A couple more major chart hits came their way with “Indian Lake” (#6) and “We Can Fly” (#17). They even took a risk and challenged the popular theme to the counterculture rock stage musical “Hair” with their own spin and earned themselves another #1 hit.  Also known for “Build me up Buttercup”

Under the strict management of patriarch and former Navy officer William “Bud” Cowsill, however, discontentment and major rifts quickly boiled over within the family structure. Bud was the one who pulled the plug signing the children up for the “Partridge” TV show when it was learned that Barbara’s role would be played by someone else (Shirley Jones). Billy, with designs on being a rock-and-roller, bucked the goody-goody teen idol image and was fired from the group for his defiance. Dropped by their record label, the group permanently disbanded in 1971. Barry and Billy went off to do solo work while Susan and three of the brothers, Bob (on guitar and organ), John (on drums) and Paul occasionally reunited on tour. Various family regroupings would occur over the decades with such cover names as “The Secrets” or “The Critics.”

Sadly, mother Barbara died of cancer in 1985 at age 56 and father Bud passed away in 1992 at age 67. Son Barry, the bassist and Danny Bonaduce-like prototype who battled severe depression and an acute, longstanding substance abuse problem, wound up a 2005 victim of Hurricane Katrina (along with over 1,100 others). Lead singer/guitarist Billy, also an alcohol and drug abuser, died from chronic health problems in 2006. Both brothers were only in their 50s.

The Cowsills will be on the bill with Paul Revere and The Raiders at Eastside Cannery on July 19.

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Jay Leno Part 2, Cory Wells

4.1.1Jay Leno 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 10, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

 Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)

Jay Leno guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.  Part 2 will be aired tonight.

JAY LENO
Emmy Award-winner Jay Leno will perform his witty stand-up comedy act inside the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage Friday, July 11. Leno’s comedic style and generous personality have earned him millions of fans worldwide.

Date: Friday, July 11
Time: 10 p.m.
Prices: $59.99, $69.99 and $79.99 (not including applicable service charges and taxes)
Buy: Tickets can be purchased at the Terry Fator box office, online at mirage.com or ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800) 963-9634 or (702) 792-7777.

Cory Wells-Founder of Three Dog Night

3dog-newcrop-rev-234x200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cory Wells guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.

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.

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Dana Carvey, Rhonda Vincent-LVBST w-Comedian Michele LaFong

Jan. 30, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230am in Las Vegas & The Web

Dana Carvey returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web.  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.”

Dana is featured in LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today, Feb. edition.

For more about Dana Carvey here.

You can catch Dana Carvey live at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Jan.. 31 & Feb. 1,  8:00pm

Rhonda Vincent

RhondaVGoldDressMando

RHONDA VINCENT SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM
ONLY ME THIS WEEK

Vincent duets with Willie Nelson on new project;
set to appear on The Today Show on February 1 & 2

the fiery vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter dubbed “the new queen of bluegrass” by the Wall Street Journal – is set to release her new two-disc album Only Me on January 28, 2014. In addition to receiving an unprecedented seven consecutive “Female Vocalist of the Year” awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), being named IBMA’s 2001 “Entertainer of the Year,” and being the co-author of the 2004 IBMA “Song of the Year,” Vincent was nominated for a 2006 Grammy® award for “Best Bluegrass Album” for Ragin’ Live, as well as a double nomination in 2007 for “Best Bluegrass Album” for All American Bluegrass Girl, along with “Best Country Collaboration with Vocals” for Midnight Angel featuring Bobby Osborne.

Joining her on the album is Willie Nelson on the title track, Daryle Singletary featured on “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds”, and members of Diamond Rio.

“God gave Rhonda an unbelievable voice and I am so thankful that we get to enjoy it. I love her like a sister and enjoy her music as her biggest fan,” says Dolly Parton.

Currently nominated for six SPBGMA awards including Entertainer of the Year, Rhonda continues to be a trailblazer for the genre. Rhonda Vincent & The Rage are the most awarded band in bluegrass history with 88 industry awards.

As part of the promotional blitz for Only Me, Rhonda will be featured in a special two-part Today Show segment that was taped in Nashville (not sure which day Rhonda appears, as of press time), as well as RFD’s Cumberland Highlanders, GAC Top 20 Countdown, RFD’s Rural Evening News, CMT.com, Country Weekly, Bluegrass Unlimited, Huffington Post, the Tennessean, Woodsongs, Billboard, The Boot, Bluegrass Today, AOL, and much more.

Learn more about Rhonda Vincent at http://www.rhondavincent.com

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Kathleen Madigan, Three Dog Night-(Cory Wells)

Sept. 19, 2013- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

Kathleen Madigan - Color 2 - Photo Credit - Luzena Adams

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comedian Kathleen Madigan guests on Las Vegas backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Over Madigan’s 25 year career she has performed on nearly every standup television show ever made. Leno, Letterman, Conan, Ferguson and so on. She’s had 2 HBO specials, 3 Comedy Central specials, 3 CMT Salute to the Troops specials with Ron White and her last hour-long special, Gone Madigan, is currently in rotation on Showtime and CMT. She’s released 4 CDs and 2 DVDs and filmed a new one hour special this past spring to air in the fall as a Netflix Original.

She’s won the American Comedy Award for “Best Female Comedian” and the Phyllis Diller award for “Best Female Comedian.” Although she’s turned down many writing jobs because she enjoys performing more, she has written and produced for Lewis Black’s “Root of all Evil” on Comedy Central and for Gary Shandling’s Emmy monologues. She’s done two USO tours to Iraq and Afganistan with pals Lewis Black, Robin Williams, John Bowman and musicals acts Kid Rock, The Zac Brown Band, Kix Brooks and Kellie Pickler. “There’s no better show on earth than a show for the troops. Trust me, no crowd is as happy to see a show as 1000 soldiers in Kabul. I do USO shows at home here in the US too but the further people are away, the more they appreciate it. I don’t think they get paid enough for a hard job so I like to do something for free when I can.”

Kathleen is appearing at The Mirage Sept. 21

For more information go to www.KathleenMadigan.com.

Three Dog Night-Original Founding Member-Cory Wells

3dog-newcrop-rev
 

 

 

 

 

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.

Catch Three Dog Night at The Eastside Cannery on Sept. 21

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Sneak preview video of LaFong’s Cameo Appearance on TLC

Sunday, Dec. 23 10pm PST on TLC

This episode is called “She said, she said” (This is not the entire clip that will be aired)

The cameo appearance sneak peek clip can be accessed here: https://discovery.box.com/s/yvni4hwx6d728uneb5lt

(Will post full interview on my website Sunday night at 11pm PST)

This link gives a full rundown of when SIN CITY RULES airs: http://tlc.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=2.17028.137545.43751.3

Comedian Michele LaFong, Host and Producer of “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” Radio and Web Show, makes a cameo appearance on TLC’s “Sin City Rules” on Sun. Dec. 23 at 10pm PST, Thurs. Dec. 27 at 8pm PST, & Fri. Dec. 28 at 1am PST                                  

Las Vegas Backstage Talk, the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars” currently airs on Thursdays from 4pm-5pm PST on 1230 am KLAV, in Las Vegas, and The Web.

 

 

Rob Schneider, Bill Haley Jr. Mark Mayer, LVBST w/Comedian Michele LaFong

May 17, 2012  6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

Rob Schneider guests on Las Vegas backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong, the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

After opening for comedians such as Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, Schneider made his network television debut in 1987 on “The David Letterman Show.” In 1990, “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels saw Schneider’s appearance on HBO’s “13th Annual Young Comedians Special” and hired him to be a regular on SNL. During his four seasons on SNL, Schneider was nominated for three EmmyR Awards and a Peabody Award..

Schneider is well-known for his longtime collaboration with Adam Sandler and Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison. Schneider has starred in several Happy Madison projects, including “The Benchwarmers,” “50 First Dates,” “The Longest Yard,” “Eight Crazy Nights,” “Little Nicky” and “Mr. Deeds.” Schneider co-wrote and starred in “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” “The Hot Chick” and “The Animal.”

Schneider is the star of the new CBS show, “Rob,” about a lifelong bachelor who married into a tight-knit Mexican-American family. Rob is a successful architect who elopes with Maggie in Las Vegas after a whirlwind romance.

For more about Rob Schneider, click HERE.

Rob Schneider recently performed at The Orleans Showroom on May 5th – 6th

Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets

If only for the impact of “Rock Around the Clock”, Bill Haley would deserve a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (He was inducted in 1987)! Yet his impact in the early days of Rock and Roll went well beyond that milestone! Two years earlier he’d put out “Crazy, Man, Crazy” an original amalgam of country and R&B that arguably became the first rock and roll record to register on Billboard’s pop chart! For most of the Fifties, Bill Haley was a presence on the record charts, and he appeared in several rock and roll movies aimed at teenagers. It is estimated that Bill Haley and His Comets have sold 60 million records worldwide.

Now his Son, Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets, recapture the heyday of his famous father and The Comets and carry on the tradition his father started! Re-creating the Music, the Feel, the Excitement, the Authentic Stage Costuming and the Energy, Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets will transport audiences back to the very beginning of Rock & Roll! Audiences will be on their feet, dancing in the aisles and singing along to every song during this incredible, all-age, Affordable Show!

More about Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets here!

You can catch Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets live at Suncoast Hotel & Casino

Suncoast Showroom, May 19 – 20 7:30pm

For reservations

Managing Editor / Sports Columnist for “Gaming Today” – Mark Mayer

Mark Mayer was a sports writer for daily newspapers in South Carolina and Florida for more than 20 years before moving to Las Vegas. In the last 10 years, Mayer has been on the other side of the betting window as a ticket writer at Primm Resorts before working two years at Vegas Insider. Off and on over the past decade, he has been sports editor for “GamingToday”.

“GamingToday” a weekly publication that is distributed to casinos and subscriptions every Tuesday with gaming and entertainment news and articles.

The current issue of “GamingToday” features Michele LaFong filling in on entertainment for the incomparable Monti Rock III this week. (Issue for May 15 – 21, 2012)

View Michele’s article in “Gaming Today” HERE

Comedian Michele LaFong is a radio personality in Las Vegas. She knows the in and outs of show business and attracts the A-listers.  Check out LaFong’s “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Gaming Today, which will soon be “Getting Personal with the Stars” a monthly syndicated column in Gaming Today, as well as Casino Player Magazine, a monthly entertainment life-style magazine, with over eighty eight thousand paid subscribers nationally.  (“Las Vegas Backstage Talk will also be a monthly syndicated column in CP Magazine.)

You can listen to a recording of our show below!

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