Rita Coolidge, Clint Holmes
June 19, 2013- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Two-time Grammy® Award winner Rita Coolidge began her career as a backing vocalist in Memphis in the 1960s. Shortly thereafter, she relocated to Los Angeles and became the first call background singer for performers like Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson and The Temptations. After establishing her dominance as a backing vocalist, Coolidge was asked to join the ensemble band Delaney and Bonnie, and toured with Joe Cocker and Leon Russell on the “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” tour in 1970. Following, Coolidge worked with high profile rock artists, including tours and recordings with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell and Stephen Stills.
Later, Coolidge began her solo career with her self-titled debut album in 1971. Since then, she has released 15 albums and charted several hit songs, including “Fever,” “We’re All Alone,” “One Fine Day,” “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher,” “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “All Time High” and “Superstar.”
Coolidge has appeared in numerous movies, including “A Star Is Born,” “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid,” “Vanishing Point” and “Christmas in the Clouds.”
Clint Holmes
Singer Clint Holmes returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong live in-studio.
The acclaimed singer named Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year three times, Singer of the Year four times and awarded the Sammy Davis Jr. Foundation award, performs a spellbinding evening of music that’s both live at The Smith Center, Friday, July 4, 2014, 8:30p.m., Saturday, July 5, 2014, 8:30p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2014, 2:00p.m.and alive. Clint Holmes: This Thing Called Love –The Music of Cole Porter and Paul Simon.
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Jan. LVBST syndicated column by Michele LaFong
January LVBST column
LVBST-Las Vegas Backstage Talk column is published monthly in Casino Player Magazine and Gaming Today.
Finally… a rowdy and fun new concept in Las Vegas casino entertainment that won’t break the bank!
I’m pleased to recommend a unique quality experience that is now available to locals and tourists alike.
Buzz’N Brushes in the Orleans H&C proves that you don’t have to be a budding Picasso to have a great time and that’s part of the fun!
This new interactive Las Vegas attraction puts all the tools in the hands of the audience-turned “art-class” to help them create a work of art that they can then take home.
This is all done with step-by step instruction from entertaining Art Teachers that are on-stage supported by an attentive staff that “works” the floor and are specifically trained to engage the partying artists in an upbeat, “anything goes” type atmosphere complete with music, laughs, games, raffles, dancing, booze, and a pizza kitchen that specializes in making thin-crust pizza. There are day and night classes to choose from with different themes and packages. Whether you make reservations as part of a group or a single, you’re looking to party, blow-off some steam, meet people, or just network…there is bound to be something there for you. Did I mention that this space also includes an art studio that features different artist’s work? I predict corporate events, and bachelorette parties alike will soon catch on to this new, hot, innovative trend.
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Champion and Actor Randy Couture was the special guest Celebrity Host last month at the “Paint N Punch” two hour Event which ended with photo opportunities and an autograph session. I witnessed one of the partying artists insisting, while lifting her shirt that Randy sign her cleavage…and he did…“Anything for charity!” Randy generously donated his time to support Buzz‘N Brushes for a portion of the proceeds to be donated to the Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Couture. Its programs fulfill unmet needs of veterans of America’s armed forces as they return to civilian life, which includes assistance in financial crises. Randy had this to say when I interviewed him following the hilarious, almost topless display:
“When Teresa Lemming, Owner of Buzz‘N Brushes first approached me with the idea of me hosting the show…I was like well…I’ve never painted before…but it was really fun and easy. I wasn’t nervous about the Hosting part of it because once you’re used to standing in that cage in front of the masses in nothing but your drawers…everything else pales in comparison!”
Randy had just returned from Bulgaria, where he finished filming “The Expendables 3,” with Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Dolph Lundgren, Wesley Snipes, Jet Li, Antonio Banderas, Ronda Rousey, Terry Crews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Victor Ortiz, and Kellan Lutz.
An edited portion of my videotaped interview with Randy Couture is posted on casinocenter.com
Jon Taffer, star of “Bar Rescue” on Spike TV, and frequent favorite guest on LVBST, was recently on ABC’s 20/20 revealing some short-pour tricks that some desperate bar owners “all too often stoop to,” to short patrons on their alcoholic counts even while they are watching! He demonstrated just how easy it is to get fooled. It looked like magic! I can’t wait to hear what else Jon has to reveal on his next in-studio visit.
Steven Wright, the “Confucius of Comedy,” finally guested on LVBST to promote his up-coming gig at The Orleans Showroom on Jan.3 & 4. I had been trying to get him on my radio show for 3 years! Known for his dead-pan style, monotone voice, and trademark wit, Wright has an arsenal of brilliant one-liners like: “Right now I’m having amnesia and Deja vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before… It’s a small world, but I wouldn’t want to have to paint it…” And if anyone would know about painting it would be Steven Wright because who knew this Academy Award®-winner and Grammy® Award nominee also was a budding artist and musician with paintings and music samples of really cool original music that he wrote, played, sang and recorded up on his website? I would never have guessed! He even plays the harmonica. Dylan-“esque,” was what came to mind, and as an avid Bob Dylan fan, I was intrigued. I would love to see him incorporate his original music and art with his Stand-up show. Perhaps I can convince him…you never know!
My interview with Steven Wright will air on Jan 2. All interviews are archived on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com.
Larry the Cable Guy returns to The Palms H&C Jan.31. I hope to have him on the show before that. I remember asking Comedian Bill Engvall what life was like on the road with “The Blue Collar Comedy Troupe” and who was the most “out of their minds” -you, Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, or Larry the Cable Guy?” Bill responded without hesitation “Larry!” He also said he that he was the sweetest guy. “We called him the “Mikey” of the Comedy Troupe. He could be talked into going along with anything. He really was the only redneck amongst us, and… that’s not a costume that he wears. It’s not at all an act. He pretty much got married on four wheelers! That’s part of the reason that he’s so popular and people can relate to him so well because there are no airs, he’s just genuine.”
Other Headliner picks for January are: Garth Brooks and his band at Wynn Jan. 3 and 4, Wayne Brady at The Mirage Jan. 4, Tim Allen at The Venetian H&C Jan. 8, 18, 31, Gabriel Iglesias at The Mirage Jan. 17, Paul Revere & The Raiders at The South Point H&C Jan. 10-12, Styx at The Palms H&C, Santana at Mandalay Bay Jan.22-Feb.1, Shania Twain at Caesars Palace Jan.22-Feb.15, Jay Mohr at The South Point H&C Jan. 24-26, Dolly Parton at Primm Valley Casino Resorts, Rob Schneider at The South Point H&C Jan.30-Feb.1, Daniel Tosh at The Mirage Jan.31-Feb.1.
Your comments and feedback are always appreciated.
Mar. 8, 2012: Doug Gray, Mickey Jones
“The Marshall Tucker Band”
Singer / Musician – Doug Gray – Original Member and Lead Singer
Doug Gray guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas and The Web.
The Marshall Tucker Band, originally founded by lead singer Doug Gray, got its start in Spartanburg, S.C. and debuted their first album in 1973 San Francisco. The platinum-plus album caught fire and spawned numerous hits including “Way Out West!,” earning them a loyal following and numerous headlining engagements across America.
During the past 30 years, The Marshall Tucker Band has influenced country music groups such as Alabama, The Kentucky Headhunters, Confederate Railroad, and Travis Tritt with its definitive blend of rock, rhythm & blues, jazz, country, and gospel. With hit singles like “Heard It In a Love Song,” “Fire On The Mountain,” “Can’t You See,” and “Take The Highway,” The Marshall Tucker Band has earned seven gold and three platinum albums. They also scored four hit singles on Billboard’s country chart and one on Billboard’s gospel chart. The Marshall Tucker Band’s music has been featured on the soundtracks of movies such as Smokey and the Bandit, The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, Shipwrecked, Crank 2, Don’t Mess with Zohan, Stop Loss, Swing Vote and Taking Chance as well as many television shows.
For more about Doug Gray w/ The Marshall Tucker Band, click here
You can catch The Marshall Tucker Band at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Fri – Sat, March 9 – 10, 8:00pm
Celebrity Host for Sam’s Town 300 – Actor / Musician – Mickey Jones
Mickey Jones will be stopping by to talk about Sam’s Town 300 events and his hosting gig.
As a musician, Bob Dylan noticed Mickey Jones while he was playing at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles, and a professional alliance began that lasted for years. The two became close friends as well. “The word ‘genius’ is not enough to describe Bobby,” says Mickey. Dylan in turn appreciated Mickey’s blues roots – a style that worked well with “The Band.” Together they toured around the world including stops in such places as Malaysia, India and Lebanon.
Mickey Jones has added acting to his already outstanding credits, having been featured in numerous guest star roles in hit TV shows such as “Northern Exposure,” “Hearts Afire,” “Evening Shade,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “Matlock, “Baywatch,” “Home Improvement” and “Justified” film credits including “Drop Zone,” “Total Recall,” “Tin Cup,” and more…
You can catch Mickey at Sam’s Town 300 Las Vegas Motor Speedway events Fri – Sat, March 9 -10
Info and scheduling here.
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
