Paul Williams, Bob Cowsill-LVBST
July 17, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
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
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.
TweetBen Vereen, Dr. Julio Garcia “Plastic Surgeon to the Stars”
May 15, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Ben Vereen and Dr. Julio Garcia “Plastic Surgeon to the Stars” guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Accomplished actor, dancer, and singer Ben Vereen is no stranger to the entertainment scene. On Broadway, Vereen has appeared in “Wicked,” “Fosse,” “I’m Not Rappaport,” “Hair,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Grind,” “Pippin,” “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “A Christmas Carol.” Off-Broadway credits include the award-winning original production of “The Exonerated.” His role in “Pippin” garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for “Best Actor in a Musical.” Vereen’s most recent starring role was in the Broadway-bound play “Fetch Clay, Make Man” directed by Des McAnuff, which premiered at the award-winning McCarter Theater.
For more than 35 years, Vereen has showcased his versatility and creativity, performing countless one-man shows around the world. He was the first simultaneous winner of the “Entertainer of the Year,” “Rising Star,” and “Song and Dance Star” awards from the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA)
While performing on stages worldwide, Vereen also pursued high profile film roles, including Chicken George in “Roots” and Louis Armstrong in “Louis Armstrong – Chicago Style.” Vereen’s television guest appearances include “Grey’s Anatomy,” for which he won the Prism Award, “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” “Oz,” “Touched By An Angel,” “Second Noah,” “New York Undercover,” “The Nanny,” “Star Trek – The Next Generation,” “The Jamie Fox Show, The Promised Land,” and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” as well as recurring roles on “Silk Stalkings,” “Webster,” “J.J. Starbuck” and “Booker.”
May 15, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Dr. Julio Garcia “Plastic Surgeon to the Stars,” returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong, on 1230AM KLAV, in Las Vegas, and The Web, for an on-location interview in his office. Dr Garcia speaks about what’s new, and now available, as well as affordable not just to the Stars but also to 9-5 people competing to stay competitive, and stay working in corporate America.For over 22 years, Dr. Garcia has provided incomparable aesthetic surgical support to Las Vegas valley residents. He also has had the privilege of caring for patients from around the country and around the world, from places such as Alaska, the U.S. east coast, to as far away as Israel, Italy, and Great Britain. As a full-service cosmetic enhancement facility, available treatments ensure patient’s confidence in having found a home for all their elective surgery needs. Specializing in BOTOX Cosmetic, Dysport Injections, laser toning, laser surgery, permanent makeup, filler injections, sculptra injections and tattoo removal. Dr. Garcia has been one of the Plastic Surgeons featured on the Discovery Channel, and written up in medical magazines. Dr. Garcia is offering a new and exciting skin tightening procedure called ThermiTight, with dramatic results.
TweetMeat Loaf, Steve March-Torme-LVBST w/Michele LaFong
Sept. 26, 2013- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
RockTellz & CockTails Presents Meat Loaf
at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas
Grammy Award-winning musician and acclaimed actor Meat Loaf to perform 18 dates, beginning Thursday, Sept. 26.
Meat Loaf guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas and The web. In a backstage interview from Planet Hollywood, Meat Loaf answers questions about his experience on NBC’s The Apprentice reality series including the truth about what really happened with Gary Busey on the much talked about episode when he “blew up” at Busey. Meat Loaf also spoke of his experience performing in Hair, on Broadway, as well as in movies.
He also explains what we can expect in Rocktellz & Cocktails, an interactive live show comprised of a full-on rock concert, hit songs and intimate, personal stories of the highs and the lows of rock ‘n roll’s most celebrated and fascinating stars. Grammy Award winner Meat Loaf is the debut headliner and will take audiences on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through his 47-year music, stage and film career in this over-the-top production show.
Performances will incorporate Meat Loaf’s biggest music hits like “I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” as well as “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” from his 1977 classic Bat Out Of Hell – the 3rd best-selling album of all time. Transporting his undeniable stage presence to the RockTellz & CockTails stage on the Las Vegas Strip, Meat Loaf will offer the audience a diverse and unique show like no other entertainer.
RockTellz & CockTails Presents Meat Loaf will be performed inside the PH Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino every Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday, Sept. 26 to Nov. 5. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
Steve March-Torme
Steve March-Torme guests in a backstage, in-person interview on LV Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Steve March-Torme Performs “Snap, Sizzle Pop!” At the Smith Center’s Cabaret Jazz in Las Vegas September 27 and September 28 Evening Performances 7 p.m.
Steve sing the songs for which his father, the legendary Mel Tormé, was known.
Show time is 7 p.m., and tickets are available at The Smith Center, tel 702-749-2000, www.thesmithcenter.com.
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