Paula Poundstone, Jay and The Americans
November 3, 2016
Audio of interviews posted below except on Internet Explorer
Paula Poundstone, and Jay and The Americans, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Poundstone began nurturing her stand-up comedy talent in 1979 on the Boston comedy scene before moving to San Francisco. She starred in multiple HBO comedy specials and appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” Poundstone received a Cable ACE Award for a comedy special for her one-hour HBO special “Cats, Cops, and Stuff.” She received her second Cable ACE Award for her self-titled HBO talk show series.
Continuing with many successes throughout the 1990s, Poundstone starred in “The Paula Poundstone Show” on ABC and many other television appearances, including an HBO Special. Poundstone is the recipient of an Emmy Award for her field pieces on the PBS program “Life & Times.”
For more about Paula, click HERE
Jay and The Americans
With three original members – Sandy Yaguda (“Deane”), Howie Kirschenbaum (“Kane”), and Marty Kupersmith (“Sanders”) – plus the addition of Jay Reincke, Jay and the Americans have recreated the authentic sound of the ‘60s.
Jay and the Americans hits include She Cried, Come A Little Bit Closer, Wax Museum, Hushabye, Walkin’ in the Rain and This Magic Moment.
In 2002, Jay and the Americans were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Jay and The Americans will be appearing at The Cannery Nov. 5.
TweetFrank Caliendo, Chuck Negron
Sept. 24, 2015
Audio of interviews posted below (except on Internet Explorer)
Comedian, actor and impressionist Frank Caliendo, and legendary vocalist Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Caliendo is perhaps best known for his impressions of famous actors Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro; former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; broadcasters John Madden and Charles Barkley; and talk show hosts Dr. Phil, Jay Leno, and David Letterman.
A veteran of televised comedy, Caliendo has starred in numerous television shows including “MADtv,” “Mike & Mike,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and his own series on TBS “Frank TV” in 2007 and 2008.
From 2003 to 2012, Caliendo was a fixture on the “Fox NFL Sunday” pregame show where he worked with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and the rest of the team. His “Frank’s Picks” segments were featured during the broadcasts of Super Bowls XXXIX, XLII and XLV.
Frank is appearing at The Orleans Showroom Sept. 26-27 at 8pm.
Chuck Negron
Legendary Vocalist Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Among Three Dog Night’s biggest hit songs featuring Negron’s soulful, four-octave range and unique vocal styling: “Joy To The World,” “Easy To Be Hard,” “Old-Fashioned Love Song” and “Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog,” which appeared on the multi-Grammy nominated and 1971 Record Of The Year “Joy To The World.”
“Am I Still In Your Heart” was Negron’s first solo release in 1995, followed by a Christmas release of “Joy To The World” in 1996. Negron spent two years writing his book “Three Dog Nightmare” and recorded the accompanying soundtrack CD “The Long Road Back.” His fourth solo effort “Chuck Negron – Live In Concert” recorded at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas was released in 2001 and the original song “Took Me Under” was nominated in 2002 for a PRISM Award for Best Song. In 2005, Negron released “The Chuck Negron Story: Biography of an Entertainer,” which won several awards including the 2006 PRISM “Video to Production” Award.
The Cannery, Oct. 3
Kathleen Madigan, Cory Wells
June 4, 2015
Audio of interviews are posted below (except on Internet Explorer)
Comedian Kathleen Madigan, and Cory Wells, founding member of Three Dog Night, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show 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 June 12
For more information go to www.KathleenMadigan.com.
Three Dog Night-Original Founding Member-Cory Wells
Cory Wells, (far right) founder of Three Dog Night guests on LV Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. LVBST radio show 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 Cannery on June 27
TweetJay Leno, Cory Wells
May 7, 2015
Audio of interviews posted below(Scroll down)
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Jay Leno, and Cory Wells, original member of Three Dog Night guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
JAY LENO
Emmy Award-winner Jay Leno will perform his witty stand-up comedy act inside the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage Friday, May 15. 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
Cory Wells, (far right) founder of Three Dog Night guests on LV Backstage Talk radio show 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.
Will be at The Cannery on June 27
TweetBobby Kimball, Kenny Cetera
April 2 & 4, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Audio of show posted below
(Bobby Kimball (L) Kenny Cetera (R)
Bobby Kimball, former longtime front-man for Toto guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in LV, and streaming live on website to promote his upcoming show at The Cannery with Kenny Cetera, April 4, at 8:00pm.
For more about Bobby go to http://www.bobbykimball.com/#!bobby/clpf
Kenny Cetera
Kenny Cetera, formerly toured and recorded with Chicago, guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote his upcoming show at The Cannery at 8pm. For more about Kenny Cetera go to http://www.kennycetera.com/
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Oct. LV Backstage Talk Column
by Michele LaFong
(Click on articles to enlarge)
Las Vegas Backstage Talk’s syndicated monthly column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today-Oct.
Finalist on Last Comic Standing Lachlan Patterson on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong (10 min. edited)
Oct. LVBST column
When Randy Bachman, founding member of The Guess Who, the Canadian band responsible for such hits as “No Time” and “American Woman” left to explore his personal musical horizons, he joined forces with Fred Turner to create Bachman-Turner Overdrive and rock & roll history was made. I, along with millions of other fans worldwide, grew up and sang along to radio hits such as “Taking Care Of Business,” “Let It Ride,” and “Roll On Down The Line.” So when I heard that after 20 years of fan demand these two giants of hard driving tunes were reuniting, touring, and appearing at The Cannery August 30, billed as Bachman & Turner, I knew I had to get an interview, which I finally landed with Fred Turner. You can imagine my shock when backstage, before their concert Fred casually dropped the bombshell scoop to yours truly that this was his very last show with Bachman. “I am retiring and have lots of other unfinished business to take care of…I’m just taking care of unfinished business, you might say…loose ends to tie up. I’ve got a bucket list with lots of things I need to do.” When asked how Randy Bachman took the news, he responded “Randy’s got so many things going on all the time with so many artists, and new projects, he’s just fine! …Maybe I’ll be back in a few years…you never know.” While watching the concert I was kind of sad but felt blessed to be witnessing the last historic show of Bachman & Turner. They never announced the news to the crowd and I haven’t heard a peep about it since.
Another thing that has come to an abrupt end is the celebrity impersonating “dealertainers” that the Imperial Palace, now The Quad soon to be the Linq was so famous for. It seems this was not a popular decision with many of their loyal customers. Also, the Clarion Resort on Convention Center Drive formally Royal Americana, Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino, Paddlewheel, and Greek Isles has closed for good. It’s been an interesting quaint little property that opened as the Royal Inn in 1970. Debbie Reynolds gave me my first running show there, “Vegas Live” starring Michele LaFong.
It is with a heavy heart that I am addressing the untimely passing of Comedy Icon Joan Rivers who at age 81 seemed ageless, and invincible. I was asked to join WTTG-TV (FOX 5) Washington via Skype to share some of my personal interactions with Joan when guesting on her afternoon talk show back in the 80’s and speak on the impact that she had on comedy in general. Like so many other stories being shared by industry over the weeks about Joan’s generosity, graciousness, and wonderful sense of humor, I experienced much of the same. Joan’s approach to comedy was fearless and unapologetic- breaking ground and paving the way for other female comics. Ironically she hated being referred to as a pioneer or a trail blazer because her work was not even close to being done. In fact, in a recent interview before her passing she was quoted as saying “I hate when female comics come up to me and say “Oh you broke barriers for women… I’m still breaking barriers….” Sadly her work was unfinished but her legend lives on and she is sorely missed.
Another feminine comedy ground-breaker of sorts is New Jersey native “Queen of Comedy” Sommore, who began her career as the first woman to host BET’s ”Comic View,” and then later hosting Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam” and “Showtime at the Apollo.” She was the 1995 recipient of the Richard Pryor Award for Comic of the Year, and in 2000 she entered “The Guinness Book of World Records,” performing for an audience of more than 50,000 people in Atlanta as part of the “Queens of Comedy” tour. A recording of the show became the longest-running and highest-rated special in the history of Showtime Networks.
I recently interviewed Sommore, who was promoting her upcoming weekend at Suncoast Hotel & Casino on Labor Day Weekend. With credits which include her status as being among the top-grossing stand-up comediennes in the United States and abroad, as well as Oprah Winfrey proclaiming her “a force to be reckoned with in the new millennium,” it’s of no wonder that Sommore sold out both nights at the 500 seat theatre before the weekend even began with Suncoast having to turn away hundreds of fans. Her show equally as impressive had substance and she drew a drinking, spending well-dressed crowd. I think it was obvious just from her credits that Queen of Comedy Sommore deserved to be performing in a much bigger theatre on The Strip. I’m sure Las Vegas won’t make that mistake again as word gets out fast!
Another impressive comedienne making a difference in comedy is Wanda Sykes. Wanda is Executive Producer of NBC’s Last Comic Standing which got renewed for a second season. I recently interviewed runner-up Lachlan Patterson, and Winner Rod Man who were promoting their upcoming Last Comic Standing Tour with all 5 finalists in the show. The audio of their interviews are archived on our site. I will be doing a backstage videotaped interview with both Lachlan, and Rod Man in between their sold out shows at Aliante Casino. An edited portion will be posted on gamingtoday.com, casinocenter.com.
Bill Maher returns to the Palms on Oct. 10 & 11. He always puts on a solid, funny, relevant show, and is one of my favorite return guests on LVBST. Bill’s interview will air on Oct. 9.
My Picks:
Wanda Sykes, Treasure Island, Oct 3, The Beach Boys, The Cannery, Oct. 4, Lewis Black, The Mirage, Oct. 4, Daniel Tosh, Mirage, Oct. 10 & 11, Legends of Motown: the Four Tops, Temptations, Spinners, Cannery, Oct. 10 & 11, Loni Love, Venetian, Oct. 10 & 11,
The Eagles, MGM Grand, Oct. 11, Queensryche, Eastside Cannery, Oct. 11, Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull, Mandalay Bay, Asia, Red Rock Resort, Oct. 17, John Fogerty, Palms, Oct. 17, Ray Romano and David Spade, Mirage, Oct. 17 & 18, Zac Brown Band, MGM Grand, Oct. 17, Carlos Mencia, Treasure Island, Oct. 17, Smokey Robinson, Eastside Cannery, Oct. 18, Ron White, Mirage, Oct. 24 & 25, Bill Engvall, Treasure Island, Oct. 24, Wendy Williams, Venetian, Oct. 31.
