LeAnn Rimes, Steve Rossi
May 8, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Country music superstar LeAnn Rimes and Steve Rossi guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Rimes made her introduction into country music in 1996 with her debut album “Blue,” which soared to number one on the Top Country Albums chart and was certified multi-platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. Throughout her career, Rimes has sold more than 40 million albums, won two Grammy® Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards™ and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Rimes received the honor of being the youngest recipient of a Grammy®, and was also the first country recording artist to win in the “Best New Artist” category.
Rimes has placed 42 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 13 of which are top-10 hits, and has scored several hit singles in her career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” which went #1 in 11 countries, and “How Do I Live,” which is the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Having released more than ten studio albums, three compilation albums and two greatest hits albums in her distinguished career, Rimes recently released her newest album titled “Spitfire,” in the spring of 2013.
In addition to her music career, Rimes is as an accomplished actress and author. She made her official film debut in 2000 for “Coyote Ugly,” providing the singing voice for Piper Perabo’s character Violet Sanford and making a cameo appearance towards the end of the film. Later, Rimes starred in the 2009 made-for-TV movie, “Northern Lights.” Rimes has also written four books— two novels and two children’s books, the most recent titled “What I Cannot Change.”
Show-Biz Legend Steve Rossi
Steve Rossi guests in-studio on Las Vegas backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
He is half of the world famous comedy team of Allen and Rossi. At the age of six he appeared in ‘Going My Way’ with Bing Crosby, ‘The Johnson Story’ and over thirty movies. At the age of 16, Steve received a scholarship to The University of Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles and received a BA in communication, arts and theatre and in Latin and Greek. In 1954 Steve co-starred with Mae West in her sold out concerts all over America.
Steve teamed up with Marty Allen in 1957 and soon became America’s #1 comedy team. They Appeared in over 7000 television shows including frequent apperances on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’, and hold dubious honor of having to go on stage right after the Beatles created pandemonium on the show. They also guest starred on Perry Cumo, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Mike Dougas and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Allen and Rossi were also regular guest stars on ‘What’s My Line, Hollywood Squares, Password and numerous other game shows.
Allen and Rossi starred in several Paramount films, most notably ‘The Last of the Secret Agents’ with the guest stars Nancy Sinatra and Ed Sullivan.
Steve also produced and starred in ‘The 25th Anniversary Allen and Rossi Special’ with guest stars Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller, Redd Foxx, Martin Sheen, Ernie Borgnine, Rich Little, Jack Jones and Tony Orlando. Steve has produced 11 comedy albums and eight singing albums on such lables as RCA and Coumbia. He sold 2 million copies of his hit record “More”, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
Steve Rossi also wrote and produced “Jimmy Stewart & Friends” starring Rich Little currently appearing at The Las Vegas Hotel.
On May 20th 2009, steve Rossi was inducted into Show Business Legends hall of fame at the Tropicana hotel in Las Vegas. Steve in celebrating his 55th year in show business and Is young enough to look forward to the next 55 years.
More about Steve Rossi here–>
TweetIan Anderson-Jethro Tull
April 17, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Ian Anderson, front-man for Jethro Tull guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Legendary prog pioneer Ian Anderson hits The Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort on Sept. 19, 2014 at 8 p.m. to perform The Best of Jethro Tull.
Fronting seminal Prog outfit Jethro Tull and performing simply under his own name, Anderson has performed in more than 54 countries over 45 years; he is widely considered an icon of the genre and is recognized as the protagonist of the flute in rock music. With more than 60 million albums sold in its career, Tull has been characterized by Anderson’s trademark acoustic textures created with ethnic flutes and whistles together with acoustic guitar and the mandolin family of instruments. In many recent shows, Anderson has played with orchestras, string quartets and featured soloists. His eclectic acoustic performances are also a hit with fans of the progressive genre.
Anderson just released a new studio album Homo Erraticus on April 15 on his own Calliandra Records. The album continues with the story of Anderson’s favorite enfant terrible Gerald Bostock.
Along with Anderson’s band (guitarist Florian Opahle, bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O’Hara and drummer Scott Hammond, and singer Ryan O’Donnell), he will be touring the U.S. this September through November.
In 1972 Anderson’s band Jethro Tull released the iconic concept album Thick As A Brick, based on a poem by the then 8-year-old Gerald Bostock in 2012. As many fans wondered what might have befallen the character, Anderson decided to explore the different paths Gerald’s life might have taken in his 2012 album, Thick As A Brick 2.
Following a 40 year political career, Gerald reunited with Anderson taking the role of tour manager on a string of shows. Homo Erraticus marks Gerald’s return to songwriting, and is based on an unpublished manuscript by amateur historian Ernest T. Parritt (1865-1928). In Homo Erraticus, Parritt examines key events of British history with a string of prophecies stretching to the current day and the future. Visions of past lives caused by the delirium of malaria generate the characters through whose eyes the stories are told, including a nomadic Neolithic settler, an iron Age blacksmith, a Christian monk, a turnpike innkeeper and even Prince Albert.
Ian Anderson recently won The Prog God Award from Prog Magazine, celebrating the innovators of rock who have inspired generations and carved a way for others to be at their creative best. There is no one who has pushed the boundaries more than Anderson, who to this day remains immersed in his love for the music. For more information, visit www.jethrotull.com.
TweetBill Maher, Felix Cavaliere-LV Backstage Talk
March 20, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Bill Maher returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
For the last 18 years, Maher has pushed the boundaries of how far political humor and satire can go on American television. First on “Politically Incorrect” (which first aired on Comedy Central before moving to ABC), and for the last seven years on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and scathing humor have garnered him 21 EmmyR nominations. In October 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher’s swipe at organized religion, “Religulous,” which went on to become the seventh-highest grossing documentary ever.
In addition to his television program-which has featured such regular visitors as Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Arianna Huffington, Alec Baldwin and Michael Moore-Maher has written four bestsellers: “True Story,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect’s Greatest Hits,” “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden” and most recently, “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer.”
For more about Bill Maher click here. For more about “Real Time with Bill Maher” click here.
Bill Maher is appearing at The Pearl at The Palms H&C March. 22 & 23
Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals
Rock & Roll and Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Felix Cavaliere brings his Rascals to the Suncoast Showroom, March 22 and 23.
In the mid-60s, Cavaliere formed The Young Rascals with Dino Danelli, Eddie Brigati and Gene Cornish. The band signed with Atlantic Records and had their first No. 1 hit with “Good Lovin’” in 1966. The Young Rascals went on to be one of the biggest groups in the county for the remainder of the 60s with songs, “Groovin’,” “A Girl Like You,” “A Beautiful Morning,” and “People Got to Be Free,” the latter the groups’ biggest hit, topping the charts for five weeks in 1968. The follow up single, “A Ray of Hope,” was written for and about Teddy Kennedy.
Following the disbandment of The Young Rascals in 1972, Cavaliere continued on as a solo-artist releasing his self-titled debut album in 1974, followed by “Destiny” in 1975. Two years later, he returned to a band environment with the release “Treasure,” the self-titled debut from his new band. Cavaliere returned to solo work with the release of “Castles in the Air” in 1979.
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Tommy Davidson, David Alan Grier-LVBST
March 13, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Tommy Davidson and David Alan Grier guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote their upcoming one night only “In Living Color Reunion Tour” at Aliante Casino on March 21, 8pm and 10:30pm.
Tommy’s elasticity as a performer has led him through a diverse array of roles including the lead in the Disney animated series The Proud Family and his hilarious character in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Tommy has starred in four successful Showtime specials to date (On Strength of New York, Illin’ in Philly and Takin’ it to DC and Chocolate Sundaes). Most recently, Tommy has been working on the just-renewed second season of his hit series, Black Dynamite, Adult Swim’s #1 top-rated show. Next up on the feature film front is the extraordinary story of the international celebrity Sammy Davis Jr. whose outsize talent couldn’t save him from himself in, “Deconstructing Sammy,” which Tommy bought the rights to last year and is in development on.
Known for the indelible characters he created on the iconic variety show and spot-on impersonations from iconic figures like Sammy Davis Jr. and President Obama, Tommy is truly the ultimate all-around performer. Selling out every venue in which he performs, Tommy Davidson promises an unforgettable in-studio of incisive wit, hilarious panel, memorable takeaways and big laughs.
David Alan Grier
The three-time Tony and GRAMMY Award nominee was trained in Shakespeare at Yale where he received an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. Grier has enjoyed many accolades and awards throughout his career, not the least of which was his inclusion on Comedy Central’s list of the “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.”
On the big screen, David Alan Grier was recently seen starring in WE THE PEEPLES, produced by Tyler Perry, opposite Kerry Washington and Craig Robinson. Grier made his film debut in STREAMERS (1983), directed by Robert Altman for which he won the Golden Lion for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. He also appeared in the Wayans Brothers’ spoof movie DANCE FLICK (2009).
Grier’s television work is highlighted by a turn as principal cast member on the Emmy Award winning In Living Color (1990–1994) where he helped to create some of the show’s most memorable characters, DAG (2000–2001) and Life with Bonnie (2003) which earned an Image and Golden Satellite nomination. David created, wrote and executive produced a show for Comedy Central called Chocolate News (2008). Last fall, David starred in THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM, a Hallmark Channel adaptation of Paul Curtis’ 1996 Newbery Award-winning novel by the same name. Grier recently wrapped shooting a starring role as ‘Principal Carl Gaines’ in a new series for CBS, Bad Teacher.
Grier began his professional career on Broadway as Jackie Robinson in The First, for which he earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and won the Theatre World Award (1981). He then joined the cast of Dreamgirls before going on to star opposite Denzel Washington in A Soldier’s Play, for which both actors reprised their roles in the film adaptation, A SOLDIER’S STORY (1984).
In 2009/2010 Grier starred in David Mamet’s acclaimed play RACE opposite James Spader and Kerry Washington at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway for which he received his second Tony Award nomination. Grier received the third Tony Award nomination of his career in 2012 for his performance in the “stand-out role of the rakish, drug-dealing Sporting Life” (NY Times) in The Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess. Grier received his first GRAMMY nomination when the cast recording of The Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess received a 2013 GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.
TweetNov. 29, 2012 Steve Rossi
The Legendary Steve Rossi
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Steve Rossi visits in-studio on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show on 1230am and The Web, with Comedian Michele LaFong and shares his many amazing experiences, lessons, and stories in his fifty-five year career in show business.
In this very interesting interview, Steve talks about everything from what it was like what to room with Howard Stern many years ago, when he was managing the frequently fired “Shock Jock,” to the real reason he and Marty Allen couldn’t get back together for even one TV Special last year that offered over a million plus dollars.
Steve Rossi is half of the world famous comedy team of Allen and Rossi. At the age of six he appeared in ‘Going My Way’ with Bing Crosby, ‘The Johnson Story’ and over thirty movies. At the age of 16, Steve received a scholarship to The University of Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles and received a BA in communication, arts and theatre and in Latin and Greek. In 1954 Steve co-starred with Mae West in her sold out concerts all over America.
Steve teamed up with Marty Allen in 1957 and soon became America’s #1 comedy team. They Appeared in over 7000 television shows including frequent apperances on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’, and hold dubious honor of having to go on stage right after the Beatles created pandemonium on the show. They also guest starred on Perry Cumo, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Mike Dougas and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Allen and Rossi were also regular guest stars on ‘What’s My Line, Hollywood Squares, Password and numerous other game shows.
Allen and Rossi starred in several Paramount films, most notably ‘The Last of the Secret Agents’ with the guest stars Nancy Sinatra and ed Sullivan.
Steve also produced and starred in ‘The 25th Anniversary Allen and Rossi Special’ with guest stars Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller, Redd Foxx, Martin Sheen, Ernie Borgnine, Rich Little, Jack Jones and Tony Orlando. Steve has produced 11 comedy albums and eight singing albums on such lables as RCA and Coumbia. He sold 2 million copies of his hit record “More”, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
Steve Rossi also wrote and produced “Jimmy Stewart & Friends” starring Rich Little currently appearing at The Las Vegas Hotel.
On May 20th 2009, steve Rossi was inducted into Show Business Legends hall of fame at the Tropicana hotel in Las Vegas. Steve in celebrating his 55th year in show business and Is young enough to look forward to the next 55 years.
More about Steve Rossi here–>
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
