Neil Sedaka, Gloria Loring
Feb. 19 & 21, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews are posted below
Legendary singer, performer, producer and songwriter Neil Sedaka guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote his upcoming shows at The Orleans Showroom on February 21 and 22.
Sedaka is recognized as one of rock and pop music’s legendary pioneers, with songs that continue to stand the test of time. Starting in high school, Sedaka formed a vocal group, The Tokens, which recorded two hit singles. Later Sedaka was introduced to Howard Greenfield and together they began a successful songwriting partnership in the late 1950s, selling more than 25 million records during their 30-year collaboration.
In 1958, at the age of 18, Sedaka was catapulted into stardom after Connie Francis performed his song, “Stupid Cupid.” Francis then sang the theme song Sedaka and Greenfield had written for the 1960 MGM spring break movie classic, “Where The Boys Are,” which would end up becoming her biggest hit. Sedaka parlayed these hits into a contract with RCA as a writer and performer, and began recording his own material.
Sedaka’s chart-toppers included “The Diary,” “Oh, Carol,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Calendar Girl” and “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.” In addition, Sedaka continued writing for other performers, including Tom Jones’ album “Puppet Man,” The Fifth Dimension’s album “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing” and The Monkees’ album “When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door.”
Sedaka has been recognized for his musical contributions by numerous prestigious organizations including receiving recognition by the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, a street named after him in his hometown of Brooklyn and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2013, Sedaka released “The Real Neil,” which includes new material, along with a few classics. A documentary entitled “Neil Sedaka: King of Song,” which tells the story of Sedaka’s life and career, made its world premiere on BBCFour in 2014.
Gloria Loring
Days of our Lives’ soap star, Singer/Songwriter, Keynote Speaker author Gloria Loring guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong. In April, Gloria will be in Las Vegas filming Robin Jay’s movie The Secrets of the Keys, starring Gloria Loring, Brian Tracy, John Assaraf, Rev. Michael B. Beckwith, Dannion Brinkley, don Miguel Ruiz. The original film was The Keeper of the Keys.Our listeners can view the original film for free this month only! Www.TheKeyMovies.com/freeview
Gloria Loring is a singer, songwriter, actress, author and keynote speaker; the recording artist of the #1 hit song Friends and Lovers; co-composer of television theme songs Diff’rent Strokes and Facts Of Life; an audience favorite as “Liz Chandler” on Days Of Our Lives; has sung on the Emmy Awards, the American Music Awards, the Golden Globes, and is one of the few artists to sing two nominated songs on the Academy Awards. Recently she has also become famous as the mother of singing sensation Robin Thicke.
Gloria is the author of six books benefitting people with diabetes and writes a monthly column for Soap Opera Digest. Her newest book, Coincidence is God’s Way of Remaining Anonymous, details a series of extraordinary coincidences that transformed her life and offers prescriptive insight into how each of us can use coincidence for our own good and the good of those we love.
Gloria is a certified yoga instructor and an articulate champion of bio-medical research. After her son Brennan was diagnosed with diabetes at age four, she created and self-published two volumes of the Days Of Our Lives Celebrity Cookbook that raised more than $1 million for diabetes research.
She has shared the stage with Bill Cobsy, Bob Hope, Billy Crystal, the Pointer Sisters and Tony Bennett. She has hosted events for His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Siddha Yoga, Michael Beckwith’s Agape International Spiritual Center, and appeared with esteemed spiritual teachers Dannion Brinkley, Dr. David Hawkins, Mary Manin Morrissey and Eric Pearl.
Gloria is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who of American Women. She has been honored the Woman of Achievement Award from the Miss America Organization, an honor she shares with past recipients Barbara Bush, Roslyn Carter, and Hillary Clinton.
TweetComedian Tom Cotter, Jackie “The Joke Man”
Jan. 29 & 31, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews are posted below
“America’s Got Talent” Breakout Star Comedian Tom Cotter returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong. In a very candid interview, Tom gives many inside tips on how to advance on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. He will be performing at the Suncoast Showroom February 6.
After appearing on the 2012 season of “America’s Got Talent,” Cotter was invited back to perform as a special guest, and again to host the “2013 AGT Viewing Party.” Cotter’s other numerous television and radio credits include “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” his very own special “Comedy Central Presents… Tom Cotter,” The Howard Stern Show and, most recently, a third appearance on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”
For more go to http://www.tomcotter.com/
Jackie “The Joke Man Martling
Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling returns on LVBST to promote his gig with Bobby Slayton “The Pitbull of Comedy,” and Comedian John Melendez, “Stuttering John,” at the South Point Showroom, Jan. 30 & 31.
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–>
TweetRobin Meade, Tony Orlando
Dec. 20 & 25, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Singer Robin Meade, longtime host of “Morning Express with Robin Meade” (HLN), guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
To celebrate the spirit of the holidays, Las Vegas headliners Human Nature launched a brand new show titled “Christmas, Motown and More” in The Sands Showroom at The Venetian Las Vegas, with Special Guest Robin Meade.
Human Nature’s “Christmas, Motown, and More” started on Dec. 12, with a special 1 p.m. matinee show on Christmas Eve.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.humannaturelive.com or www.venetian.com or call (702) 414-9000.
Robin Meade is a New York Times Bestselling author and a singer-songwriter with 2 music albums. She’s jumped out of a perfectly good plane with President George HW Bush, hosted “Ask Oprah’s All Stars” at the mogul’s request, and belted the anthem to millions of Nascar & NFL fans. She’s performed with Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker, Richard Marx, David Foster & The Tenors among others. She wrote 14 of the songs on her debut & followup albums “Brand New Day” & “Count On Me”, while her New York Times Best Selling book, “Morning Sunshine!” chronicled her rise over crippling panic attacks. Robin’s quick wit lands her visits to the “Steve Harvey Show”, “Wendy Williams” & “Extra” while her passion-filled vocals earn her a standing ovation on stages like the Grand Ole Opry.
Tony Orlando
My buddy Tony Orlando returns on LV Backstage Talk in backstage interview from The South Point Hotel & Casino.
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.
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–>
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Charlie Daniels, Ventriloquist Jay Johnson
Dec. 11, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Charlie Daniels and Ventriloquist Jay Johnson guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
The Charlie Daniels Band will bring their unique blend of country, southern rock and Christian music to The Orleans Showroom, December 12 and 13, as part of Boyd Gaming’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo entertainment line-up.
During the course of Charlie Daniels’ 50-plus year career, he has scored hits on the rock, country, pop and Christian charts and has received numerous awards from the Country Music Association (CMA), Academy of Country Music (ACM), TNN/Music City News Awards and the Gospel Music Association (GMA). Daniels was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008 and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.
Born in Wilmington, N.C., Daniels was raised on a variety of music that included Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass bands, rhythm & blues and country.
His signature song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” topped both country and pop charts, bringing him international recognition. The single was certified platinum, earned three CMA awards, became a cornerstone of the soundtrack for the movie “Urban Cowboy” and propelled Daniels’ “Million Mile Reflections” album to triple platinum sales levels.
CHARLIE DANIELS: PLAYING “THE LEGEND” FORWARD WITH NEW TRIBUTE CD — OFF THE GRID – DOIN’ IT DYLAN
His first new album project release since 2007, Off The Grid is Dylan the Daniels way and the result is sheer musical genius.
Ventriloquist Jay Johnson
Ventriloquist Jay Johnson releases his Tony Award-winning show The Two & Only! The DVD can still be ordered in time for Christmas!
Jay Johnson made his Broadway debut at the Helen Hayes Theatre starring in the show he wrote and performed entitled “Jay Johnson: The Two and Only”. It won him the 2007 Tony Award for Best Special theatrical Event. Four months before the Broadway opening “Jay Johnson: The Two and Only” played the Colony Theatre were it won the Los Angeles Ovation award for Best Solo Show. The show was originally produced Off-Broadway the previous season at Atlantic Theatre company where it earned rave reviews and a Lucille Lortel Award nomimation.
Jay is a writer, comic, ventriloquist, poet, magician and puppeteer. He has written and performed in television specials for NBC, CBS, HBO and made hundreds of appearances on variety specials and talk shows like “The Tonight Show” (with Jay Leno and Johnny Carson) and “The David Letterman Show”. He has been featured in more that 30 national commercials. His acting credits include appearances on “CSI”, “That &70’s Show”, “Dave’s World”, “Night Court”, “Broken Badges” and many other shows that have come and gone. But he is best remembered for his role as the schizophrenic ventriloquist “Chuck and Bob” on the classic ABC television comedy “Soap”.
Jay and his wife, dancer Sandi Asbury, have been married for more than 38 years. They met while performing together at a theme park in Houston, Texas. Jay describes Sandi as the muse of his artistic life. They have two amazing sons, Brandon and Taylor. Although neither son pursued a career in ventriloquism, one teaches and studies languages in Berlin and the other is completing a degree in Linguistics at UCLA.
Actor Nick Turturro, Comedian Vic Dibitetto
Dec. 4, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
(Nick Turturro, Left)
Actor Nick Turturro partners up with Comedian Vic Dibitetto in Mall Cop 2. They both guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong together, and separately.
Nicholas Turturro, Jr. was the youngest of three children born to carpenter Nicholas Turturro, Sr. and his wife, Katherine. Following in his brother John’s footsteps, Turturro majored in theater at Adelphi University but dropped out after two years to marry the mother of his child. While working as a hotel doorman in the late 1980s, Turturro was introduced by his brother John to Spike Lee, while the soon-to-be-famous director was shooting “Do the Right Thing.” Taking a liking to the young actor, Lee wrote the younger Turturro a part alongside his brother John in his next project, “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990). Lee would subsequently hire both the Turturro brothers for his next two follow-up projects, the controversial “Jungle Fever” (1991) and the well-received biopic “Malcolm X” (1992).
The actor’s greatest success, however, would come on television. In 1993, Turturro won the role of the good-natured Detective James Martinez on “NYPD Blue.” Though originally written for a Latino actor, the Italian-American Turturro made the character his own; immersing himself deeply in the “Nuyorican” (slang for New Yorkers of Puerto Rican descent) culture and adopting mannerisms appropriate for the character. Paired alongside Gordon Clapp’s bumbling Detective Greg Medavoy, Turturro and Clapp brought the usually somber “NYPD Blue” a welcome lightness and spark of humor. A tough cop with a true heart of gold, Turturro’s quiet and dependable performance earned the actor two Emmy nods – first in 1994; then again in 1997 – for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In 2000, however, Turturro decided that the Martinez character had run its course. Written out of the show with an off-screen promotion, Turturro left “NYPD Blue” after its seventh season; while, leaving the door open for a possible return.
Post-“Blue,” Turturro remained quite busy with steady, if unremarkable work as a guest star on such shows as “The Twilight Zone” (UPN, 2002-03), “Tremors: the Series” (Sci-Fi Channel, 2003-04) and “Third Watch” (NBC, 1999-2005). In 2006, Turturro revealed his ruthlessly competitive side when he appeared as a contestant on “Celebrity Fit Club 2” (VH1, 2005- ). Later that year, Turturro returned to the big screen with a feature role in director Oliver Stone’s “World Trade Center” (2006). Turturro popped up the following year with a turn in the fireman-posing-as-gay-couple comedy “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007). After a small appearance in the Ice Cube-Tracy Morgan comedy “First Sunday” (2008), the actor played the trainer of controversial boxing legend Sonny Liston (Ving Rhames) in the sports biopic “Phantom Punch” (2008). For a more personal project, Turturro co-wrote and starred in the immigration comedy-drama “The Deported” (2009) alongside his young son, Nicholas Turturro III. There was another supporting role in the heist movie “Takers” (2010), in addition to portraying Sgt. Anthony Renzulli, the partner of rookie cop Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) in the police-drama series “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 2010- ). Turturro turned in a pair of quick cameos for his pal in the Sandler produced comedies “Zookeeper” (2011) and “Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star” (2011), then joined the cast of the slasher flick “Nurse 3D” (2012), starring Paz de la Huerta as a dedicated by deadly caregiver.
Comedian Vic Dibitetto
Comedian Vic Dibitetto has been headlining comedy clubs around the country for over 30 years. He became an internet sensation when he posted a comedic video on YouTube that went viral and caught the attention on Comedian Kevin James. He called Vic personally to ask him to be in Mall Cop Blart 2 teamed-up with Actor Nick Turturro. He is currently filming at Wynn through next week.
TweetLuenell, Arnez J, Ricci Martin
Oct. 30, 2014-6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Comic superstar Luenell, Comedian Arnez J, and Singer Ricci Martin, son of Legend Dean Martin, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Luenell will be a featured guest for Wendy Williams, and is Wendy’s stand-up comedy coach in the Lipshtick Comedy series at The Venetian Oct. 31 & Nov. 1.
With initial appearances in films So I Married An Axe Murderer, The Rock, Never Die Alone and television shows “Nash Bridges” and “The Tracy Morgan Show,” it was Luenell’s breakout performance as the ‘hooker with a heart of gold’ in the blockbuster 20th Century Fox film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (starring Sacha Baron Cohen) that truly brought her international fame. The demand for Luenell was never greater. Combining her love of acting with stand-up, Luenell was soon segueing her standup into television/video appearances of her act, with guest appearances on “BET’s Comicview”, “Jamie Foxx’s Laffapalooza”, “Comedy After Dark “and “Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand Up.” Katt Williams tapped Luenell to join his two-year tour and DVDs, “Katt Williams’ American Hustle.” “It was the tour of a lifetime” recalls Luenell. “We went from a tour bus and commercial flights and shows at the Improv to selling out Radio City Music Hall and flying on a G5.”
With her schedule busier than ever, this sought after performer has also appeared in such television series’ as Starz’ “Head Case,” “Chocolate News” (with David Alan Grier), “Californication,” “The Boondocks,” “The Middle,” “Breaking In” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as well as stand-up appearances in “Snoop Dogg’s Bad Girls of Comedy” on SHOWTIME and “Stand-up In Stilettos” on the TV Guide Network. And her presence on the big screen is continuous, with appearances in the films Spring Breakdown (with Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Parker Posey), All About Steve (with Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper), the # 1 (for 2 weeks) comedy Think Like A Man (with Meagan Good, Kevin Hart and Taraji P. Henson) and two back-to-back films with Adam Sandler in 2012: That’s My Boy and Hotel Transylvania, as well as the sequel blockbuster with Liam Neeson, Taken 2.
Luenell continues to tour internationally with her stand-up, and between working in various television and film roles, she hosts a regular spot called “Between The Sheets With Luenell” on the Cannon’s Countdown Radio Show.
For more go to www.heyluenelle.com
Arnez J
Arnez J guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Described as a “whirling dervish” onstage, Arnez J will bring his expressive stand-up routine to the Suncoast Showroom on November 1 and 2.
Recognized for his high-energy routines, Arnez J. has emerged as one of most talked-about comics. An Atlanta native, Arnez began working the comedy circuit in Georgia and climbed the ranks as one of “Hotlanta’s” funniest newcomers.
A finalist in the “Bay Area Black Comedy Competition,” he was noticed by the entertainment industry and invited to make his first television appearance on Showtime’s “Comedy Club Network.” Soon after, Arnez J. served as a for two seasons, joining the ranks of former hosts D.L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer.
Additionally, Arnez J. has made appearances on “The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show,” “Louie Anderson’s Comedy Showcase,” Comedy Central’s “Make Me Laugh,” NBC’s “Friday Night Videos,” “The Mo’Nique Show”, and Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam,” along with starring in his own BET “Comic View Grandstand Hour Special” and “Comedy Central Presents: Arnez J.”
He recently headlined Showtime’s “Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam,” and starred in his new comedy special, “Racially Motivated.”
Ricci Martin
Singer Ricci Martin guests on LV Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
On Saturday Nov. 8, the children of some of the biggest names in entertainment will come together for a special history-making performance at the M Resort Spa Casino. An Evening with The Next Generation will showcase the extraordinary musical talents of Ricci Martin, son of Dean Martin, Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland, Lena Prima, daughter of Louis Prima, and Steve March-Torme, son of Mel Torme, as they celebrate their legendary parents. Anthony Lewis, son of comedian legend Jerry Lewis, will host the event as the Master of Ceremonies.
“We are incredibly excited about getting everyone together for this rare performance,” says Anthony Lewis. “Through incredible music, audiences will get to experience a rare glimpse into the lives of these iconic legends as told through the eyes of their kin. It will be a musical phenomenon, unlike anything we’ve ever done before.”
For more about Ricci go to www.riccimartin.com
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