Las Vegas Backstage Talk

LV Backstage Talk column

March Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine and Gaming Today

By Michele LaFong

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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.

Michael “Wheels” Parise

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Michael Wheels Parise returns in studio on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas and The Web to talk about his new weekly Podcast with Andrew Dice Clay, www.rollinwithdiceandwheels.com

This 23-year veteran comedian has been the national touring act for Andrew Dice Clay for over 23 years. Wheels has costarred with movies with Rodney Dangerfield, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Jada Pinckett Smith. With over 70 TV appearances including Conan O Brien, Letterman as well as co-starring with Dice Clay in the 2008 Reality Show on VH-1 called “Dice Undisputed”. When Wheels is not Headlining Las Vegas you can see him in all the major cities throughout out the country.

More on Michael Wheels Parise below:

http://wheelsparise.com http://facebook.com/wheelslive http://twitter.com/wheelslive Wheels and Dice on VH-1 Reality Show called Dice Undisputed Dear Chef Reality Sizzle.

 

Rick Springfield, Michael “Wheels” Parise-LV Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong

Aug. 9, 2012  6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

Rick Springfield, and Comic Michael Wheels Parise guest this week on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong.  LVBST radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”

There’s something about Rick Springfield that is and always has been very real. His songs about love and loss, greed and envy, elation and heartbreak spoke to that part of human nature that hasn’t changed in 3,000 years.  They still do.

To date, Rick Springfield has sold over 19 million records with a whopping 17 top-40 hits.  He has performed for millions of devoted fans over the last three decades and continues to play over 100 shows a year. Attracting new fans wherever he goes with his unique brand of audience interaction, unstoppable energy, and unforgettable songs that have become part of the soundtrack to people’s lives.

Springfield will be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column-August 2013 Casino Player Magazine, as well as LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” Column in Gaming Today.

Rick  Springfield at Eastside Events Center in Eastside Cannery Hotel & Casino Fri. Aug. 17th, 8:30pm

Reservations

Comedian / Chef – Michael “Wheels” Parise

Wheels Parise will be videotaped live in-studio on 970am KNUU now 1230am KLAV in Las Vegas.

This 23-year veteran comedian has been the national touring act for Andrew Dice Clay for over 23 years. Wheels has costarred with movies with Rodney Dangerfield, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Jada Pinckett Smith.
With over 70 TV appearances including Conan O Brien, Letterman as well as co-starring with Dice Clay in the 2008 Reality Show on VH-1 called “Dice Undisputed”. When Wheels is not Headlining Las Vegas you can see him in all the major cities throughout out the country.

Parise will be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Gaming Today.

More on Michael Wheels Parise below:

http://wheelsparise.com
http://facebook.com/wheelslive
http://twitter.com/wheelslive

Dear Chef Reality Sizzle.

You can catch Michael “Wheels” Parise at The Orleans, now The Gold Coast H & C
Big Al’s Comedy Club, Aug. 9th – 12th – 8:00pm.

Reservations

You can listen to a recording of our show below!

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