Las Vegas Backstage Talk

Dana Carvey Rhonda Vincent

June 22, 2017

Audio of interviews are posted below

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Dana Carvey returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.   LVBST radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz at SLS Las Vegas, June 30- July 1. 

Carvey rose to national prominence during a six-year run as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” where he created memorable characters “Church Lady,” “Garth” and “Hans” and spot-on impersonations of President George H.W. Bush, Johnny Carson, Ross Perot and Regis Philbin. Carvey’s work on “SNL” garnered him six Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 1993 for “Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.” He also received multiple American Comedy Awards.

On the big screen, Carvey appeared in supporting roles in “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Racing with the Moon” and “Tough Guys.” He starred in films “Opportunity Knocks,” “Wayne’s World,” “Wayne’s World 2,” “Clean Slate,” “The Road to Wellville” and “Master of Disguise.” Most recently, he had a cameo appearance in “Jack and Jill.”

For more about Dana Carvey here.

Rhonda Vincent

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Bluegrass vocalist and fiddler Rhonda Vincent began her professional music career at the age of five, playing drums with her family’s band, the Sally Mountain Show. She picked up the mandolin at eight and the fiddle at ten, performing with the family band at festivals on weekends. After appearing on TNN’s nationally televised You Can Be a Star program in her mid-twenties, Vincent struck out on her own, singing with the Grand Ole Opry’s Jim Ed Brown, eventually leading to a deal with Rebel Records. Her work with Brown and her Rebel recordings caught the attention of Giant Nashville’s president, James Stroud, who signed Vincent to record two contemporary country albums. After her time at Giant, she moved to Rounder Records, and demonstrated her passion for the traditional music she grew up with on Back Home Again.

A car accident in December 1999 kept her from a planned trip to Nashville for auditions, so she hired her band (unusually named the Rage) through the Internet. Rhonda Vincent & the Rage have gained popularity at bluegrass festivals since their formation, playing hard-driving, high-energy contemporary bluegrass music. Her 2001 album, The Storm Still Rages, was nominated for seven International Bluegrass Music Association awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, while fiddle player Michael Cleveland and banjo player Tom Adams earned nominations in their respective instrumental categories. A three-year unbroken string of IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards led to the 2003 release of One Step Ahead, another tour, and another well-deserved showering of critical praise.
 

Recorded in front of a hometown crowd in St. Louis, Ragin’ Live arrived in 2005, followed by All American Bluegrass Girl in 2006, Good Thing Going in 2008, and Destination Life in 2009. After parting ways with longtime label Rounder Records, Vincent released Taken in 2010, and followed it with 2011’s Your Money and , My Good Looks a duets album with Gene Watson. Released in 2012, Sunday Mornin’ Singin’: Live! was a gospel-themed album and DVD recorded at the 100-year-old Greentop United Methodist Church in Greentop, Missouri, where Vincent first began singing in public as a child. Early in 2014, Vincent returned with Only Me, a double-disc set that showcased her bluegrass and country roots. The year 2015 saw the release of her second holiday album, Christmas Time, which featured four new originals and a rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” that boasted guests spots from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, the Oak Ridge Boys, and several others.

Learn more about Rhonda Vincent at http://www.rhondavincent.com

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Dana Carvey, Rhonda Vincent

February 16, 2017

Audio of interviews are posted below

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Dana Carvey returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.   LVBST radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz Reunited at The Foundry Las Vegas, March 17 & 18, 31.  (More dates in April)

Carvey rose to national prominence during a six-year run as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” where he created memorable characters “Church Lady,” “Garth” and “Hans” and spot-on impersonations of President George H.W. Bush, Johnny Carson, Ross Perot and Regis Philbin. Carvey’s work on “SNL” garnered him six Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 1993 for “Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.” He also received multiple American Comedy Awards.

On the big screen, Carvey appeared in supporting roles in “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Racing with the Moon” and “Tough Guys.” He starred in films “Opportunity Knocks,” “Wayne’s World,” “Wayne’s World 2,” “Clean Slate,” “The Road to Wellville” and “Master of Disguise.” Most recently, he had a cameo appearance in “Jack and Jill.”

For more about Dana Carvey here.

Rhonda Vincent

RhondaVGoldDressMando

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluegrass vocalist and fiddler Rhonda Vincent began her professional music career at the age of five, playing drums with her family’s band, the Sally Mountain Show. She picked up the mandolin at eight and the fiddle at ten, performing with the family band at festivals on weekends. After appearing on TNN’s nationally televised You Can Be a Star program in her mid-twenties, Vincent struck out on her own, singing with the Grand Ole Opry’s Jim Ed Brown, eventually leading to a deal with Rebel Records. Her work with Brown and her Rebel recordings caught the attention of Giant Nashville’s president, James Stroud, who signed Vincent to record two contemporary country albums. After her time at Giant, she moved to Rounder Records, and demonstrated her passion for the traditional music she grew up with on Back Home Again.

A car accident in December 1999 kept her from a planned trip to Nashville for auditions, so she hired her band (unusually named the Rage) through the Internet. Rhonda Vincent & the Rage have gained popularity at bluegrass festivals since their formation, playing hard-driving, high-energy contemporary bluegrass music. Her 2001 album, The Storm Still Rages, was nominated for seven International Bluegrass Music Association awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, while fiddle player Michael Cleveland and banjo player Tom Adams earned nominations in their respective instrumental categories. A three-year unbroken string of IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards led to the 2003 release of One Step Ahead, another tour, and another well-deserved showering of critical praise.
 

Recorded in front of a hometown crowd in St. Louis, Ragin’ Live arrived in 2005, followed by All American Bluegrass Girl in 2006, Good Thing Going in 2008, and Destination Life in 2009. After parting ways with longtime label Rounder Records, Vincent released Taken in 2010, and followed it with 2011’s Your Money and , My Good Looks a duets album with Gene Watson. Released in 2012, Sunday Mornin’ Singin’: Live! was a gospel-themed album and DVD recorded at the 100-year-old Greentop United Methodist Church in Greentop, Missouri, where Vincent first began singing in public as a child. Early in 2014, Vincent returned with Only Me, a double-disc set that showcased her bluegrass and country roots. The year 2015 saw the release of her second holiday album, Christmas Time, which featured four new originals and a rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” that boasted guests spots from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, the Oak Ridge Boys, and several others.

Learn more about Rhonda Vincent at http://www.rhondavincent.com

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Las Vegas Backstage Talk column

Feb. CP mag coverLayout 1GamingToday 2-25-14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Feb. Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today.

by Michele LaFong

With the advent and popularity of Smart TVs, where it is now possible to watch web TV on your main set, alternative programming and new opportunities for entrepreneur talent for internet entertainment is growing daily.  This new popular trend couldn’t have been more evident than at the IAWTV awards, “the Oscars” of the Internet Shows held at The Rio H & C last month.

Many familiar faces were seen on the red carpet like “Fitness Celebrity”, and “Infomercial King” John Basedow, inventor and star of “Fitness made Simple.” Basedow was a presenter, and was also nominated for three awards.  When John guested on LVBST with Guinness World Record holder, Comedian Fran Capo, “World’s Fastest Talker, John explained what awards he was up for this year; “(Best Variety Series) is for CULTURE POP, my YouTube series where I take to the streets getting people’s opinions on the top entertainment, celebrity and pop culture news. The second is for FIT NOW with BASEDOW (Best Writing), in which I give fitness, exercise and nutrition tips for people to improve their bodies and lives, The third is for the work I do with Buzz60 Entertainment News (Best News Series) and that’s awesome since they’re one of the first companies to give me a job where I get to keep my shirt on.”  Both Fran Capo, and John Basedow’s interviews are archived on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com

Following a successful 7 month run at The Laugh Factory at The Tropicana, Legendary prop comic and watermelon-smasher Gallagher quietly closed his seven-night a week show on December 30.  It’s a wonder that this eccentric free spirited, flighty, highly creative, mad comedy genius could stay in one place for that long!  I’m definitely going to miss him and the backstage drama that always seemed to follow him.   I’m sure every comic that has worked at The Laugh Factory in the last 7 months, has a “Gallagher story” to tell!  When I asked what his plans were after his out of state gigs were over, his response was “wherever I end up!”  He explained his state of mind at this stage of his life quite well in a recent interview that I entitled “Getting really personal with Gallagher.”  That video can now be seen on casinocenter.com.

Dana Carvey, one of my favorite and funniest guests returned on LVBST to promote his upcoming dates at The Orleans Showroom, Jan. 31 & Feb.1.  Right off the bat, he did a very funny but scary impression of me…I hope it wasn’t as dead-on as it sounded!  Not only is he always upbeat, freshly hilarious, and topical, but he’s also one of the nicest mega-talents in show business.  Dana shared some of his comedy writing, and developmental process. “I tape all of my shows but it’s really hard to get myself to listen to it…yet it’s incredibly instructive.  I’m really hard on myself.”  After a show, from time to time, you might find Dana trying his luck out at The Black Jack tables. “Paul Anka taught me how to play… You gotta whack it.  You really gotta whack it!  I was reminded what Paul Anka sounds like when he’s talking…and I must say…it was a little eerie.  We touched on many interesting subjects including Mike Meyers and the possibility of more Wayne’s World projects.  The interview will air on Jan. 30.

Grammy Award-winning musician and acclaimed actor Meat Loaf will return to the RockTellz & CockTails stage at the PH Showroom inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.  Meat Loaf will perform 24 dates, beginning Feb. 13, kicking off the 2014 series.  Shows will be every Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday, Feb. 13 to April 8, at 7 p.m.  Meat always delivers a dynamic and dramatic show and is a very interesting character.  The legendary musical group and Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Jacksons are the next legacy artists of the RockTellz & CockTails series. The Jacksons, including Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, will perform 40 shows, beginning Feb. 20.  Thurs.-Sun. 9:30pm

I finally went to check out Golden Globe winner,Pia Zadora’s new nightclub show at Pia’s Place @ Piero’s.  Her residency there started in Sept. and is open ended Thursday-Saturdays at 9pm.  Pia Zadora is at home working the room, singing, telling funny stories, and even has special guest drop- INS like Jerry Lewis, Rich Little, Steve Rossi, and other notables.  Pianist Vince Falcone, former musical director for Frank Sinatra heads her quartet in an intimate, throw-back setting that recreates “Old Vegas”.  A great time!  Pia invited me to do some comedy…and next time I will…

Another gem not to be missed of headline entertainment without a cover charge is Singer/Piano player/Funnyman Michael Shane.  Shane was hand-picked by Steve Wynn, to perform at Wynn’s Tower Suite Bar, and is a regular on LVBST.   Michael keeps the night moving from behind the piano with never a dull moment and lots of personality.  He also takes requests and can’t be stumped.  I love it!  Like Pia, Michael is popular and puts on Special Guest Star drop-ins .  He can be seen on some Thursdays at Bootleggers Bistro at 5:30pm. Be sure to check their schedule as they don’t give out dates too far in advance.

Other acts not to miss this month include Comedian Amy Schumer, Feb. 7& 8, The Mirage, Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone, Feb. 7-9, Clint Holmes, Feb. 8, Smith Center, Clint Black, Feb. 13, The Smith Center, Dion, Feb. 13 & 14, The Orleans, Crystal Gayle, Feb. 14-16,  The South Point, Ron White, Feb. 14 & 15, The Mirage, The Eagles, Feb. 15 & 16,  MGM, Boz Scaggs, Feb. 15, Eastside Cannery,  Mike Epps, Feb. 15, The  Palms, Helen Reddy,  Feb. 15, The Orleans Showroom, George Lopez, Feb. 21 & 22, The Mirage, John Pinette, Feb. 21 & 22, The Orleans, Adam Carolla, Feb. 21, TI, Danny Wright, Feb. 23, The Smith Center, George Thurgood & The Destroyers, Feb. 27, The Smith Center, Rob Schneider, Jan. 30- Feb. 1, The South Point, , Ray Romano, Feb. 28 & March 1, The Mirage.

Your comments are always appreciated.

Dana Carvey, Rhonda Vincent-LVBST w-Comedian Michele LaFong

Jan. 30, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230am in Las Vegas & The Web

Dana Carvey returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web.  LVBST radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

Carvey rose to national prominence during a six-year run as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” where he created memorable characters “Church Lady,” “Garth” and “Hans” and spot-on impersonations of President George H.W. Bush, Johnny Carson, Ross Perot and Regis Philbin. Carvey’s work on “SNL” garnered him six Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 1993 for “Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.” He also received multiple American Comedy Awards.

On the big screen, Carvey appeared in supporting roles in “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Racing with the Moon” and “Tough Guys.” He starred in films “Opportunity Knocks,” “Wayne’s World,” “Wayne’s World 2,” “Clean Slate,” “The Road to Wellville” and “Master of Disguise.” Most recently, he had a cameo appearance in “Jack and Jill.”

Dana is featured in LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today, Feb. edition.

For more about Dana Carvey here.

You can catch Dana Carvey live at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Jan.. 31 & Feb. 1,  8:00pm

Rhonda Vincent

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RHONDA VINCENT SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM
ONLY ME THIS WEEK

Vincent duets with Willie Nelson on new project;
set to appear on The Today Show on February 1 & 2

the fiery vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter dubbed “the new queen of bluegrass” by the Wall Street Journal – is set to release her new two-disc album Only Me on January 28, 2014. In addition to receiving an unprecedented seven consecutive “Female Vocalist of the Year” awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), being named IBMA’s 2001 “Entertainer of the Year,” and being the co-author of the 2004 IBMA “Song of the Year,” Vincent was nominated for a 2006 Grammy® award for “Best Bluegrass Album” for Ragin’ Live, as well as a double nomination in 2007 for “Best Bluegrass Album” for All American Bluegrass Girl, along with “Best Country Collaboration with Vocals” for Midnight Angel featuring Bobby Osborne.

Joining her on the album is Willie Nelson on the title track, Daryle Singletary featured on “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds”, and members of Diamond Rio.

“God gave Rhonda an unbelievable voice and I am so thankful that we get to enjoy it. I love her like a sister and enjoy her music as her biggest fan,” says Dolly Parton.

Currently nominated for six SPBGMA awards including Entertainer of the Year, Rhonda continues to be a trailblazer for the genre. Rhonda Vincent & The Rage are the most awarded band in bluegrass history with 88 industry awards.

As part of the promotional blitz for Only Me, Rhonda will be featured in a special two-part Today Show segment that was taped in Nashville (not sure which day Rhonda appears, as of press time), as well as RFD’s Cumberland Highlanders, GAC Top 20 Countdown, RFD’s Rural Evening News, CMT.com, Country Weekly, Bluegrass Unlimited, Huffington Post, the Tennessean, Woodsongs, Billboard, The Boot, Bluegrass Today, AOL, and much more.

Learn more about Rhonda Vincent at http://www.rhondavincent.com

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Dana Carvey, Judy Tenuta-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong

Sept. 20, 2013 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

Dana Carvey returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 970 AM KNUU, now 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web.  LVBST radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

Carvey rose to national prominence during a six-year run as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” where he created memorable characters “Church Lady,” “Garth” and “Hans” and spot-on impersonations of President George H.W. Bush, Johnny Carson, Ross Perot and Regis Philbin. Carvey’s work on “SNL” garnered him six Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 1993 for “Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.” He also received multiple American Comedy Awards.

On the big screen, Carvey appeared in supporting roles in “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Racing with the Moon” and “Tough Guys.” He starred in films “Opportunity Knocks,” “Wayne’s World,” “Wayne’s World 2,” “Clean Slate,” “The Road to Wellville” and “Master of Disguise.” Most recently, he had a cameo appearance in “Jack and Jill.”

Dana will soon be 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.

For more about Dana Carvey here.

You can catch Dana Carvey live at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Sept. 21st & 22nd 8:00pm
Reservations

Comedian – Judy Tenuta


Judy Tenuta will be live in-studio on Las Vegas Backstage Talk on 970 AM KNUU, now 1230AM KLAV, in Las Vegas, and The Web.

Judy Tenuta is the most famous person who has ever lived…and if you don’t believe it, just ask her. Judy is a triple threat in the sense that she has strong stage, television, comedy and film credits with a large fan base. She has appeared in” The Vagina Monologues”, “Menopause the Musical” both in LA and Chicago, and she’s had her own stand-up specials on Showtime, HBO and Lifetime. Judy was the first female stand-up comic to win “Best Female Comedian” at the American Comedy Awards and is a two-time Grammy nominee for her comedy CD’S, “Attention Butt-Pirates” and “Lesbetarians!” and “In Goddess We Trust”. That same year, she became the national spokesperson for a series of Diet Dr. Pepper commercials. The self-described “Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion” has made hundreds of guest and co-hosting appearances on such popular TV shows as “The View”, “Late Night with David Letterman”, “Larry King Live”, “Entertainment Tonight”, and “Comics Unleashed”.

For more about Judy Tenuta here.

You can catch Judy Tenuta at Tropicana Las Vegas

Laugh Factory Las Vegas, Mon – Sun, Sept. 17th – 23rd 8:30pm & 10:30pm

Reservations

You can listen to a recording of our show below!

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Dana Carvey, Earl Turner, Ben Stone-Las Vegas backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong

Feb. 2, 2012  6pm-7pm PST 1230am in LV & The Web

Dana Carvey, “a favorite” recurring guest on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, is as wild as ever, on LV Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong, the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

Dana will soon be featured in Michele LaFong’s monthly syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, as well as LaFong’s “Getting Personal with the Stars” column in Gaming Today.

Carvey rose to national prominence during a six-year run as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” where he created memorable characters “Church Lady,” “Garth” and “Hans” and spot-on impersonations of President George H.W. Bush, Johnny Carson, Ross Perot and Regis Philbin. Carvey’s work on “SNL” garnered him six Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 1993 for “Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.” He also received multiple American Comedy Awards.

On the big screen, Carvey appeared in supporting roles in “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Racing with the Moon” and “Tough Guys.” He starred in films “Opportunity Knocks,” “Wayne’s World,” “Wayne’s World 2,” “Clean Slate,” “The Road to Wellville” and “Master of Disguise.” Most recently, he had a cameo appearance in “Jack and Jill.”

For more about Dana Carvey, click here.

You can catch Dana Carvey live at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Feb. 3 & 4 8:00pm
For reservations
Musician / Singer / Entertainer – Earl Turner

A multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, dancer and actor, Earl Turner cannot recall a moment without music in his life. His first paid performance at the young age of 13 paved the way for him to pursue his musical dreams. At 19, Earl began traveling the U.S. with various show bands, leading to performing as a front man, and solo recording artist with his Top 40 dance hit in Europe, “Love Caught You By Surprise.”

From the start, audiences embraced his act, the perfect blend of songs that all ages can relate to, spanning many genres. His critically acclaimed performances were touted by reviewers as “.an evening you should not miss” and “.more than anything else, Turner wins over the crowd by working hard.” One critic wrote, “Earl Turner Live is an evening that you should not miss.”

For more about Earl Turner, click here.

You can catch Earl Turner live at Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Orleans Showroom, Feb. 11 & 12 7:30pm
For reservations

 

Magician / Host – Ben Stone

A cast of award-winning magicians, masters of illusion and outstanding variety and specialty acts from around the world will mystify weekly in the all-new Vegas Magic Theatre, a Paul Stone production, at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino.

Hosted by Ben Stone, Vegas Magic Theatre seamlessly blends the exceptional abilities of three to four acts into a fast-paced 70-minute showcase of skill, guaranteed to amuse and confuse. Every week, Vegas Magic Theatre presents a completely new line-up of creative, trend-setting acts from across the globe, creating a an original experience each time audiences visit.

For more about Ben Stone show, click here.

You can catch Ben at Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Gold Coast Showroom / Lounge
Weekly, Thursday & Friday • 7:00pm, Saturday • 5:00pm & 7:30pm, Sunday • 7:00pm
For reservations