LV Backstage Talk column
March Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine and Gaming Today
By Michele LaFong
(Click on article to enlarge)
Fellow artists, musicians and industry insiders were among the crowd that packed The Gordie Brown Showroom inside the Golden Nugget. They had all turned out for 80’s hit-master Eddie Money on Feb. 13.
Back in the 80’s, it seemed every time I watched MTV or turned on the radio another Eddie Money hit was playing. Hearing those chart-topping tunes in back to back concert, took me back in time. I was awed at how many great tunes Eddie had cranked out.
“Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Shakin’,” “Think I’m in Love,” “Take Me Home Tonight,” “I Wanna Go Back,” were just a few I remembered and some I didn’t – like “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” which I enjoyed.
When Eddie wasn’t singing he was wailing on the saxophone or harmonica. I got a huge kick watching him work the crowd. “The Money Man” hasn’t lost any of his charisma or showmanship; at age 65 he can still rock the house, keeping the audience on its feet.
A true entertainer, Money is comedic, fun to watch and a crowd-pleaser. It was obvious he doesn’t take himself too seriously. His main objective is to make sure everyone has a great time. He even signed tee shirts for a long line of fans with 100% of the proceeds donated to our troops.
I could tell from my interview with Money that he is extremely down to earth, one of the most genuine people I’ve ever run into in show business!
Solid Gold
After interviewing 5th Dimension stars Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., I was invited to check out their show “Up, Up and Away – The Music & Memories” at The Orleans on Valentine’s Day weekend.
I’m so glad I did. The sold-out performance was one of the classiest, well-paced, entertaining shows I’ve seen. The talented back-up singers and musicians, choreography, and attention to detail told us no corners were cut in this production.
Married and performing together for over 45 years, the chemistry between Marilyn and Billy was magical. Even the scripted shtick between them was endearing, well-timed, and masterfully performed. The pair took the audience on a journey through Memory Lane.
In between singing their biggest hits – “Up Up and Away,” “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show),” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” and more – they entertained with everything from The Beatles to Blues to Broadway, complete with costume changes and stellar solos from each.
Both voices were shockingly as strong, crisp and impressive as ever, which explains why they received several standing ovations and two curtain calls! This show could be a mainstay on the Strip, like Smokey Robinson’s Human Nature.
Got talent?
NBC’s “America’s Got Talent!” wrapped up all live auditions nationwide, and will soon inform those who made it to the next round, which will most likely be televised in New York in front of judges Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B.
The turnout for the one day open call auditions in Las Vegas for season 10 of the show was enormous. I bumped into every kind of performer I knew, and many I never want to know!
It was a sight to behold. That’s the wonderful thing about this show. It is the only television venue open to any age and any talent – nothing is off limits.
If you win, you receive $1 million. But you don’t have to win the show for it to change your life. Throughout the years, many acts have gone on to launch careers. 2014 winner Mat Franco just headlined in a Las Vegas show with fellow finalists.
Forte, the powerhouse operatic trio that made it to the finals this past season, landed a recording contract with Columbia Records and a special New Year’s residency in Las Vegas!
Kenichi Ebina, The KriStef Brothers, Collins Key, Cami Bradley, Jimmy Rose, Taylor Williamson and Tone The Chiefrocca all went on an AGT live tour around the country.
Among AGT’s success stories are Terry Fator, Recycled Percussion, Nathan Burton, and Jabbawockeez. All perform regularly on the Strip. Comedians Taylor Williamson and Tom Cotter sell out venues across the country and iLuminate is lighting up the Broadway stage.
Dice special
Andrew Dice Clay has a special airing on Showtime in March. The “Blue Show,” with some of his favorite blue comics, features Eleanor Kerrigan, Steve Wilson, Erik Myers, Jason Rouse, Michael Wheels Paris, Colin Kane and The Smash Brothers; Cory & Chad.
My Picks
Wayne Brady, Mirage, Feb.27; Roseanne Barr, Tommy James and the Shondells, Golden Nugget, Feb. 27; Jay Leno, Mirage, Feb. 28;
Bill Engvall, Treasure Island, March 6, Bill Medley and McKenna Medley, South Point, March 6-8; John Mulaney, Mirage, March 6; Tim Allen, Mirage, March 7;
Dana Carvey, Orleans, March 13-14; Jim Breuer, South Point, March 13-14; Whitney Cummings, Venetian, March 13-14; Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Palms, March 15; Elton John, Caesars Palace, March 18-April 14;
Bobby Vinton, Golden Nugget, March 20; Jo Koy, Treasure Island, March 20; The Lettermen, South Point, March 20-22; Ron White, Mirage, March 20-21; Bill Maher, Palms, March 21-22; Garfunkel & Oates, Venetian, March 21;
Charlie Murphy, South Point, March 27-29; Daniel Tosh, Mirage, March 27-28; Caroline Rhea and Elaine Boosler, Venetian, March 28; Shaq’s next All-Star comedy jam, Aliante, March 28.
Otis Williams, Olate Dogs-Las Vegas Backstage talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Oct. 25, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Otis Williams, original founding member of The Temptations, guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comic Michele LaFong on 1230 am KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web. Hear the stories behind the hits in this very candid interview.
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.”
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 27th & 28th 8:00pm
For reservations
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 Comic 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.
Hear what Richard, and Nick have to say about their experience on NBC’s America’s Got Talent Reality Show, and what they have to say about the other acts on the show with them, runner-up, Comic Tom Cotter, and judges Howard Stern, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel.
See breathtaking performances of NBC’s #1 hit television show in America’s Got Talent LIVE!
Olate Dogs preforms in this exclusive live show at The Palazzo Theatre NOW though Nov. 17th, and features the season seven winner and top fan-voted performers. Bringing the variety show format back to the forefront of American culture each week, the show features a colorful array of hopeful future stars — singers, dancers, comedic performers and unique acts of all ages.
You can catch Olate Dogs in America’s Got Talent LIVE! at The Palazzo,
The Palazzo Theatre, NOW though Nov. 17th 7:30pm, Dark Fridays
Reservations
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Pauly Shore, Gary Owen, Jarrett & Raja-LVBST w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Aug. 30, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Pauly Shore, Comic Gary Owen, and Illusionists Jarrett & Raja guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong, on Thursday from 6:05pm-7:00pm PST on 970am KNUU, in Las Vegas, and The Web.
An entertainment career was virtually pre-ordained for Pauly Montgomery Shore. At age 4, he sat on the lap of The King himself in the company of his father, comedian Sammy Shore, who opened for Elvis during the early ’70s. Around the same time, Pauly’s mother, Mitzi, and father opened The Comedy Store on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, giving their son the rare opportunity to hang out and be inspired by such rising talents as Robin Williams, David Letterman and the late Sam Kinison, who became Pauly’s mentor. At 17, Pauly began writing and performing his own material, creating the persona of “The Weizel,” a character that quickly appealed to young audiences.
Pauly Shore has a successful career in comedy, movie and television roles, directing and writing.
His new special “Pauly~tics” will be coming to Showtime in November.
More about Pauly Shore here–>
You can catch Pauly Shore headlining at South Point.
The Showroom at South Point, Aug. 31 – Sept. 2 – 7:30pm
Comedian – Gary Owen
Gary Owen stars in the Screen Gems feature film THINK LIKE A MAN with Kevin Hart, Romany Malco, and Gabrielle Union. Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, the hit film opened at #1 at the box office on April 20th. Gary’s new, uproariously funny one-hour Showtime comedy special TRUE STORY is now available on DVD and Netflix. He can be seen this fall in UPLOAD, a video clip show he co-hosts with Shaquille O’Neal for TruTV.
In addition, Owen currently hosts SHAQ’S ALL-STAR COMEDY JAM and performs at many of the top comedy clubs across the country.
More about Gary Owen here–>
You can catch Gary Owen hosting SHAQ’S ALL-STAR COMEDY JAM
The Joint Las Vegas / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sept. 1 – 8:00pm
Illusionists – Jarrett & Raja
Jarrett & Raja were Howie Mandel’s pick for “The Wild Card Show” on “America’s Got Talent.” Both judges Howie Mandel and Howard Stern were visabally upset and voiced their opinions in interviews after the show when Jarrett & Raja were voted off “America’s Got Talent.” They will be giving the inside story on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show.
Direct from the great casinos of the Las Vegas Strip and billed as “Master Magician & Piano Genius”, JARRETT & RAJA bring to the stage their amazing and unique blend of magic, music and comedy. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary in show business in October 2012 and recently competed on NBC-TV’s “America’s Got Talent” in San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York.
Acclaimed by the likes of “Siegfried & Roy” and “Penn & Teller”, JARRETT & RAJA have performed on the major stages from New York and Las Vegas throughout Far East Asia and Europe. They recently returned to Las Vegas following an outstanding two year spectacular show in Singapore.
More about Jarrett & Raja here–>
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
