Las Vegas Backstage Talk

BJ Thomas, Sommore

August 24, 2017

Audio of interviews are posted below (scroll down)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five-time Grammy® Award winning hit-maker BJ Thomas, guests on “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong.  LVBST radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

Five-time Grammy® Award winning hit-maker BJ Thomas will perform at the Golden Nugget on August 25.

In 1966, Thomas released his first hit record, a cover of Hank Williams classic, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” From 1967 to 1975, Thomas charted numerous hits, including: “The Eyes of a New York Woman,” “Hooked on a Feeling,” “It’s Only Love,” and “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.”

Thomas is perhaps best-known for “Rain Drops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” featured in the 1969 movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and winner of an Academy Award® for “Best Original Song.” Since then, the song has been featured in numerous movies, including “Forrest Gump,” “Clerks II,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and “Spider-Man 2.”

During the ‘80s, Thomas’ music crossed over to the country charts with “Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love,” “New Looks from an Old Lover” and “Two Car Garage.” He became the 60th member of the Grand Old Opry in 1981.

In 1985, Thomas recorded “As Long As We’ve Got Each Other” which was later used as the theme song for the hit ABC sitcom, “Growing Pains.”

In 2007, he released his fourth holiday album, “Home for Christmas.”

More about BJ Thomas here–>

Comedian Sommore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actress and comedienne Sommore guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Sommore is appearing at The Suncoast Showroom August 26 & 27 at  7:30pm

Equal parts classy and sassy, Sommore’s frank, fearless routines and controversial wit have garnered loyal fans worldwide. Among the top-grossing stand-up comediennes in the United States and abroad, Oprah Winfrey proclaimed her “a force to be reckoned with in the new millennium.”

New Jersey native Sommore began her career as the first woman to host BET’s ”Comic View,” later hosting Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam” and “Showtime at the Apollo.” 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. She is the 1995 recipient of the Richard Pryor Award for Comic of the Year.

Sommore’s film credits include roles in “Soul Plane,” “Friday After Next” and “Something New.” She has also graced the small screen, appearing on “Flavor of Love,” as a regular on “1 vs. 100” and competing for the winning team on season six of “Celebrity Fit Club.” Her comedy specials “The Queen Stands Alone” (Comedy Central, 2008) and “Chandelier Status” (Showtime Networks, 2012) earned rave reviews.

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Burton Cummings, Tom Cotter-LVBST w-Comedian Michele LaFong

Jan. 16, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)

2014-01-18 Burton Cummings & me

Burton Cummings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Lead Singer of The Guess Who, Burton Cummings and Comedian Tom Cotter, last year’s runner-up on NBC’s America’s Got Talent guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Famed musician and songwriter Burton Cummings will bring his timeless sound to The Orleans Showroom on January 17 and 18.

Cummings began his music journey as the lead singer of the Canadian band The Guess Who, whose hits included “These Eyes,” “Laughing, No Time,” “American Woman,” “Share The Land,” and “Hang On To Your Life.” The band was the first Canadian group to reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts, as well as the first to earn a platinum album for sales of more than 1 million copies in the United States.  For more about Burton Cummings: http://www.Burtoncummings.com


 

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Tom Cotter

 Being a stand-up comedian is one thing, but being a stand-up comedian on a nationally televised reality competition show is an entirely different level of stand-up-ness (cause we just made that a thing). Tom Cotter jumped into the spotlight as the runner up during the 2012 season of America’s Got Talent and has seen an instant increase in national bookings that have changed his life as a professional comic.

www.tomcotter.com

Tom will be performing at The Suncoast Showroom  Jan. 17 & 18 at 7:30pm

 

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Russell Peters, Paul Reiser-LVBST w/ Comedian Michele LaFong

 August 22, 2013 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM & Web

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Russell Peters guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas and The Web.

Russell Peters’ Notorious World Tour features all new material from the Brampton, Ontario raised comic. The tour has become the highest attended comedy show in the history of the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Lebanon, South Africa, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and his home country of Canada, selling out arenas of up to 16,000 fans. In Dubai, Peters was the fastest selling concert in the history of the Emirate outselling Madonna.

In November 2012, Peters became the first comedian to play Brooklyn’s new Barclays Center. More than 10,000 fans attended the show, making it the largest comedy show ever in the history of the New York City borough.

Peters’ last special, The Green Card Tour LIVE From the O2 Arena, was recorded in London in 2010.  The special was broadcast on Showtime, Comedy Central and Netflix USA and Netflix UK. In 2009, Peters set a UK attendance record for the highest attendance for a one-off comedy show with more than 16,000 fans attending his show at the O2 Arena. Peters also went on to have the highest attended comedy shows at Sydney, Australia’s Acer Arena and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena in 2010.

Starting in 2008, Peters was one of the first stand-up comedians to self-finance, self-produce and distribute his own comedy specials and DVDs, with Red, White and Brown and 2011’s, The Green Card Tour LIVE from the O2 Arena. The DVDs went on to sell more than 250,000 units across North America. Peters is currently developing original programming for Netflix.

Listed on the Forbes List as one of the top ten Highest Earning Comics in the U.S. in 2009 and 2010, Russell Peters has spent the past 23 years building a career to become one of the biggest comics in the world.

World renowned comedian Russell Peters is set to bring his Notorious World Tour to at The Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort on Aug. 24, 2013 at 8 p.m.

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Comedian/Actor/Writer Paul Reiser

Paul Reiser guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas and The Web.

A seasoned entertainer, Reiser co-created and starred in the NBC series, “Mad About You,” which garnered him Emmy®, Golden Globe®, American Comedy Award® and Screen Actors Guild award nominations. He also wrote the “Mad About You” theme song alongside Grammy®-winning producer Don Was.

Reiser also wrote The New York Times bestseller “Couplehood” and the follow-up “Babyhood.” His most recent book “Familyhood,” was released May 2011.

Recently, Reiser appeared alongside Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in the HBO film “Behind the Candelabra,” based on the life of Liberace.  Other film roles include “Aliens,” “Beverly Hills Cop (I and II),” “Bye, Bye Love,” “The Marrying Man” and “The Thing About My Folks,” which he wrote and starred in with Academy Award®-winning actors Peter Falk and Olympia Dukakis.

Paul Reiser is appearing at The  Suncoast Showroom August 24 and 25, at 7:30pm

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Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine

August edition: by Michele LaFong

Digital edition of Las Vegas Backstage Talk column  http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=169821

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Hi again!

Last month, on casinocenter.com, we featured some short, edited, backstage interviews.  Thanks so much for all your feedback. It is very much appreciated, and we are paying attention to your comments.

Update: I passed on every lead that came in from all of you to Gallagher regarding interest for his Gaming Software gambling technology that he invented to keep slot players in casinos as entertained as they are with online.  I will keep you posted, especially if history is made, as a result of your interest and responses.

I was at Gallagher’s new show at The Laugh Factory at The Tropicana last night, and was stunned that he had such a packed room on a Sunday night.  Word must be getting out fast that he is still very funny even without smashing water-melons!  He seemed fearless about trying new material on stage, and is masterful at working the crowd.  He will continue to perform his 7pm show, at least through the summer.

Another very popular Headliner on the “casino circuit” is Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo.  I was blown away with their performance at The Pearl Theatre, at The Palms H & C last month.  After my interview with Singer/Songwriter Neil Giraldo, Pat Benatar’s long-time “hit-writing” husband, visionary, and co-star of over 30 years, I felt like I knew them both for years.  I never considered myself a real fan of their music, but after seeing them live…I guess I am, and I cannot recommend their show enough!

Another star that didn’t at all disappoint in his performance was The Legendary Dave Mason, who was performing at The Pearl Theatre, the following week.  When I interviewed him by phone, he seemed a little low key, but on stage he came out strong and sustained interest and energy throughout.  I also liked that he explained how his hit songs came about.  It was truly hilarious when Dave after singing a couple of songs revealed that he was not making a “fashion statement” by wearing shorts on stage… rather it’s that he forgot to pack his pants!  (I can relate to that.)

Comedian/Actress Wanda Sykes also put on an excellent show at The TI, and had the packed room in stitches throughout.  I am still laughing about her reference to what happens to a woman “downstairs” after menopause…“that no one ever warns us about!”  I was very surprised when backstage, immediately following the show, Wanda told me that some of the material she did, was being tried out for the very first time. (No one would ever have known!)

Dr. Julio Garcia, Plastic Surgeon to the Stars, returned on LVBST to warn us about the many new in-office procedures, which promise us a look of “instant youth,” but may not necessarily make us look better. He gave some great tips on the best way to find a really qualified plastic surgeon, and the many ways we can shave-off years instantly, even without surgery. He has agreed to offer free consultations for “CP readers” for the month of August providing you mention CP Magazine at the time that you make the appointment.

August’s line-up of popular headliners appearing in Las Vegas includes Grammy® award-winning singer-songwriter Rick Springfield, mostly known for “Jessie’s Girl,” and his acting role on “General Hospital.” When he guested on my radio show last year, the response was amazing.  Springfield was so popular with our listeners, that WROM Radio, one of our affiliate stations in Michigan reported that after 400,000 listeners clicked in …it shut down their entire site!   Rick is performing at The Orleans Showroom, August 3 & 4.

Another recommended Headliner is Five-time Grammy® winner BJ Thomas, mostly known for the hits “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” and “Hooked on a Feeling.”   BJ was one of the most genuine, unassuming, “down to earth” Stars that I’ve ever met.  He is genuinely shy, has never been comfortable with his fame, and still always gets nervous when performing.  It’s adorable!  I witnessed him being really hard on himself last year back-stage, following a stellar performance, in which he received three standing ovations!  Thomas is returning to The Suncoast Showroom on August 10 & 11, and plans to come in early to do a videotaped interview with me.

Another exciting show coming in is The Monkees.  I was lucky enough to have opened for them on their first re-union tour at The Sands H & C, in Las Vegas back in ’94.  It was only Davey Jones, and Mickey Dolenz that were from the original group but it was still a great show, and the crowds just loved it!   It will be interesting to see all the remaining members of the original line-up, Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork perform together.  It’s such a shame that Davey Jones is no longer with us.  He will always be loved and missed.  The Monkees will perform at the Grand Events Center inside Green Valley Ranch Resort on Aug 10.

“Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theatre,” has returned to the “V” Theatre at Planet Hollywood with daily performances at 2:30pm. This Veteran of The Russian Circus, was a finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” He is the only one I’ve ever seen that has so many trained cats doing amazing things in his show.  He is scheduled to return on our program, and this time around bring some of his trained animals.

Actor- Impressionist Kevin Pollak, is headlining The Improv, at Harrahs, H& C, on Aug. 30 & 31.  What a treat!  I interviewed him last year at The World Series of Poker Tournament, at The Rio.  Kevin was playing poker against Carl Reiner, and many other celebrity, and non-celebrity Poker-champs. (He is the only celebrity that placed in last year’s competition!)  Pollak shared tips on having “the best poker-face,” and explained how different the game of poker is in tournaments.  Some real good, and entertaining advice.  Kevin Pollak’s edited video and others are now posted on casinocenter.com.

I’m always open to comments, feedback, and questions.  Please stay in touch via facebook, twitter, or email.  ‘Til next month…

 

Whitney Cummings, Larry Chance & The Earls with Comedian Michele LaFong

Comedian-Actress Whitney Cummings

Love You, mean it with Whitney Cummings - Season 1Whitney - Season 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Whitney Cummings, Larry Chance and The Earls on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show on 1230AM KLAV, in Las Vegas and The Web.

Whitney will soon be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated Columns, “Getting Personal with the Stars, and Las Vegas Backstage Talk” in Gaming Today, and Casino Player Magazine. (CP)

Whitney Cummings is a Los Angeles based comedian, actor, writer and producer.

Cummings writes, executive produces, and stars in her autobiographical sitcom Whitney, currently in it’s second season on NBC. Cummings also co-created and co-wrote, along with Michael Patrick King, the CBS comedy 2 Broke Girls starring Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs.

Cummings appears regularly on E!’s, Chelsea Lately and has appeared on Comedy Central in the Comedy Central Roasts series as well as her hour-long stand up special, Money Shot, which was nominated for an American Comedy Award in 2010.

Cummings was named one of VARIETY’s “10 Scribes to Watch” in 2011, and received the “Comedian of the Year Award” at the 2010 Young Hollywood Awards. In 2009 Cummings was honored as one of ENTERTIANMENT WEEKLY’s “Comedy Stars of Tomorrow” and was named one of VARIETY’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch” in 2007.

Cummings graduated Magna Cum Laude from The University of Pennsylvania, after which she got her start starring as a series regular on MTV’s “Punk’d.”

Whitney is performing at TI Hotel & Casino on Friday, April 26 9pm
For more on Whitney Cummings: www.whitneycummings.com

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April 25, 2013 Larry Chance and The Earls

Spanning from the late 1950’s into the new millennium, the Earls have continuously been pleasing audiences with their flawless harmonies ceaseless vitality and endearing dedication to their fans. Larry Chance & the Earls represent the music that helped define Rock ‘N’ Roll, the original doo wop era that put the street corner- society onto the national charts.

Known for songs like “Never,” “Remember,” and “Life is but a dream,” Larry Chance has a solo recording career as well, and is working on his second solo jazz album.

Larry and Host Michele LaFong, used to work The Catskill Mountains, and The Pocono Resort Circuit together, over fifteen years ago.

Larry Chance and The Earls will be appearing with The Happenings, and The Chiffons at The Suncoast Showroom on May 4 & May 5, at 7:30pm

For more about Larry Chance and The Earls: www.larrychanceandtheearls.com

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