Las Vegas Backstage Talk

Ray Romano, Al Jardine

April. 28, 2016

Audio of interviews are posted below… except on Internet Explorer

Ray & LaFong

Ray Romano, and original Beach Boy Al Jardine, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Ray Romano, the star from one of the most respected comedy sitcoms in television history, Everybody Loves Raymond, teams up with David Spade, the wise-cracking, power-hungry assistant from Just Shoot Me, for an evening of hilarious banter as they share our stage together.

 

Al Jardine- The original Beach Boys

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Al Jardine, returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong

Al Jardine joined Brian Wilson on the road for Brian’s ‘No Pier Pressure’ Summer 2015 Tour.   It Started at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA and hit sixteen more cities in the US and eight in the UK, Brian performed songs from his Capitol album, No Pier Pressure, as well as top hits and fan favorites spanning his 50-year career with The Beach Boys and as a solo artist.  The Beach Boys will be at The Smith Center on April 30.

For all the confirmed dates and venues: http://www.aljardine.com

 

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Frank Caliendo, Chuck Negron

April 21, 2016

Audio of interviews are posted below

Frank & M

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 Arena April 23

Chuck Negron

Chuck Negron1Chuck Negron & LaFong (2)

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.

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Mary Wilson, Julie Budd

April 14, 2016 

Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)

Mary WilsonMary Wilson

Mary Wilson, founder of The Supremes,  guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.

While growing up in Detroit’s Brewster Projects, Wilson befriended Florence Ballard, Betty McGlown and Diana Ross at age 13. The quartet later formed a singing group, The Primettes. Wilson, Ballard and Ross were signed to Motown Records and became known as The Supremes.

The Supremes were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1965 and 1966, garnering an unprecedented 12 #1 hits, including four in a row – “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Stop, In The Name Of Love” and “Back in My Arms Again.” In 1977, Wilson released her first solo album, “Mary Wilson,” which yielded the dance hit “Red Hot.” In 1992, Wilson released her first album in 13 years, “Walk the Line,” which included the single “One Night With You.”

Wilson became a best-selling author with her autobiography, “Dreamgirl… My Life As A Supreme.” The book has sold more than 250,000 copies in hardback, becoming one of the most successful rock and roll autobiographies of all time.

Wilson created a traveling exhibit of 70 gowns worn by The Supremes throughout the years and can be seen on tour at countless cities across the United States. The exhibit is currently being housed at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

Julie Budd

Julie Budd

Award-winning Singer Julie Budd guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.  She will be appearing at The Smith Center April 15.

JULIE BUDD’s latest CD, entitled…“Remembering Mr. Sinatra” is both a tribute & valentine to Mr. Sinatra, who
personally invited Julie to be his guest artist at Caesar’s Palace, when she was just 16 years old.  Julie says that “Remembering … Mr. Sinatra” is her most personal & authentic work to date. “It includes selections that are reminiscent of those incredible bights onstage there! It allows me to share some of my most memorable moments with the audience, as well as bring some of the greatest songs ever written to a new one! While this CD preserves these for all of time, I’d like to present them as my gift to new generations, as they were once presented to me.

Julie is considered to be one of the most exciting singers on the scene today, and last week won The Broadway World Award for Best Show.  She has also landed a residency at The Metropolitan Room in NY starting in April 2015.

“ They Wrote The Songs “ Julie Budd has enjoyed a very multi -faceted career, that ranges from, television to film, along with the New York stage & symphonies all over the country.  “ The New York Times ” raved with a full two page glowing retrospect of Julie’s career, declaring Ms. Budd “The Consummate Performer”.  She began her professional career at the tender age of 12, after meeting record producer / orchestrator Herb Bernstein.  Herb Bernstein, who produced Laura Nyro’s first Hit Album, was at that time, recording Merv Griffin as well.  Herb immediately took Julie under his wing, and introduced her to Merv Griffin at the
recording session in New York City.  And, after Merv heard Julie sing, this “Mini Girl with the Maxi Voice “
was invited to appear on more than 100 of Merv’s shows.  From there, Julie went on to appear on “The Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight , and every major TV show in the country.  In the years that followed, Julie co-starred with such legendary performers as, Frank Sinatra , Liberace , and Carol Burnett.  As Julie Recalls; “What a way to grow up and start in this business “
“These people were wonderful to me “Some kids went to school, but I went to work and learned from the Best”  “Each one of these performers was a professor to me, and I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to know them all”  And Now, Today..while touring in her One Women Shows, Julie’s concerts have included performances at Lincoln Center , Carnegie Hall , The Kennedy Center , The London Palladium.  Tel Aviv’s Israel Performing Art’s Center, Venues in La Vegas, and Major Symphony
Halls all over the United States.  Julie also toured as Guest Artist for seven years , with The late great Marvin Hamlisch .
Julie has become a favorite to Many of the Symphony Orchestras .  Julie Budd has also pursued an exciting acting career and is in the process of writing a book about her days as a Child prodigy. Julie’s CD Pure Imagination {After9 Touchwood } was named
Top Ten Cd By ” Entertainment Today ” And received a ****Four Star Rating {4Stars }
For more about Julie and how to buy her CD’s go to www.juliebudd.com

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Otis Williams, Olate Dogs

April 7, 2016

Audio is posted below

Otis Williams, original founding member of The Temptations, guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.  Hear the stories behind the hits in this very candid interview.

For more than 40 years, The Temptations have shined as pioneers of popular music, with decades of smash hits and sold-out performances. An essential component of the original Motown machine invented by Berry Gordy, The Temptations began their musical career in Detroit in the early ‘60s. In 1964, Smokey Robinson wrote and produced “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” the first major hit for The Temptations. An avalanche of hits followed, including “My Girl,” “It’s Growing,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” and “I Wish It Would Rain.”

For more about Otis Williams, click here.

For more about The Temptations, click here.

You can catch Otis Williams w/ The Temptations at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, April 7th & 8th 8:00pm

NBC’s America’s Got Talent Winner 2012 – “Olate Dogs”

Olate Dogs1

For more about Olate Dogs, click here.

Live in-studio, on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comic Michele LaFong, are Richard and son, Nick Olate, and four of the Star Olate Dogs that won the million dollar prize this year on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Richard Olate is from Chile South America. He is the second youngest in a family of 22 children. His family was very poor. There were many times when they would not have enough to eat for days at a time. His story is not a sad one though. At age 12 he got a dog from the street. He loved the dog and found that he might have a feel for training. There are many dogs roaming the streets in Chile, so guess what……?  When he had put together a routine, he, with his mother’s help, booked his amateur act at schools and small circuses. He quickly got a regular performance schedule but needed more help. His older brother soon joined him and together they decided they could do something special. They were right! They worked hard creating a very unique dog act. They spent the next few years traveling with different circuses throughout South America and in 1989 they premiered in the United States of America. They have been here ever since. Richard has appeared with his dogs in many television shows, made commercials, been in a movie, and worked in stage, night club and circus performances. A true testament that, no matter where you come from, hard work and determination makes dreams come true.

You can catch Olate Dogs at The Hard Rock on April 9

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