Ray Romano, Al Jardine
April. 28, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below… except on Internet Explorer
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
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
Frank Caliendo, Chuck Negron
April 21, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below
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
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.
TweetTony Orlando, Anthony Cools
March 31, 2016
Audio posted below except on Internet Explorer
Tony Orlando guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Tony Orlando brings to the stage a warmth and exhilarating energy that electrifies an audience. From million selling records (five number one hits), a popular television variety series, movies and Broadway (Barnum and Smokey Joe’s Café), Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business.
Through no plans of his own, Tony was coaxed into putting his voice on a demo record for a song titled “Candida” for his friends Hank Medress and Dave Appell at Bell Records. The record was released under the name of the record promotion director’s daughter, Dawn.
“I think it is really the rule of show business that every big break you get you back into it without knowing it at the time. A few weeks after recording ‘Candida’ I had forgotten all about it. And then Hank Medress calls me and says, ‘Hey man, we’ve got a hit!’ The crazy thing was the song kept climbing the charts till it hit number one,” says Orlando.
Hoping lightning would strike again, Medress had Orlando recorded “Knock Three Times.” The song not only became number one, it was the tip song of 1971 selling over six million copies worldwide. The immense popularity of the song is still evident today. Tony’s recording of the song was featured in the hit movie Now and Then.
Realizing it was probably safe to give up his successful career at CBS Records, Tony decided to jump full force into what was already a meteoric rise to the top. Along with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, Tony Orlando and Dawn became an international sensation.
Amazingly enough, Tony hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his stardom. In 1973 he recorded “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree.” The song was number one for the year, became Orlando’s theme song and grew into an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal.
More about Tony Orlando here–>
You can catch Tony Orlando headlining at South Point Showroom.
The Showroom at South Point, April 1-3 – 7:30pm
Hypnotist – Anthony Cools
World-famous hypnotist Anthony Cools performs at Paris Las Vegas, using his skills for decidedly evil purposes, tapping into the carnal desires and subconscious naughtiness of his audience, shearing off all inhibitions.
Not only is Cools the only hypnotist playing in a casino on the Las Vegas Strip, his show is the longest-running hypnotist show in Las Vegas history, and the longest-running show at Paris Las Vegas.
Signature stunts in his hilarious and interactive 90-minute show include handshakes that induce vocal, sexual responses, as well as several other tricks so shocking, we can’t even print them.
More about Anthony Cools here–>
You can catch Anthony Cools headlines at Paris Las Vegas.
Anthony Cools Showroom, Nightly 9:00pm, Dark Mon & Wed
Tom Papa, Tony Butala
March 24, 2015
Audio of shows posted below
Comedy veteran, actor, writer and television and radio host Tom Papa guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
After touring with Jerry Seinfeld for several years, Seinfeld personally selected Papa to be the host of The Marriage Ref, which ran for two seasons on NBC. In 2013, Papa portrayed Ray Arnett in Steven Soderbergh’s Emmy Award-winning HBO film Behind the Candelabra. He also appeared on Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer, The New Adventures of Old Christine and with Clive Owen this season on The Knick.
On the big screen, he has made appearances in movies such as Analyze That with Robert DeNiro and Billy Crystal, Comedian with Jerry Seinfeld and alongside Matt Damon in The Informant! He also provided voices and worked as a writer on 2007’s Bee Movie.
Papa’s first hour-long special, Tom Papa Live in New York City, premiered on Comedy Central in January 2012. His Rob Zombie-directed second stand-up special, Tom Papa: Freaked Out, was named one of the 10 Best Comedy Albums of 2013 by Laughspin.com. His hit SiriusXM show, Come to Papa, airs weekly on channel 99.
Tony Butala- Original founding member of The Lettermen
Tony Butala, Original founding member of The Lettermen guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote The Lettermen’s upcoming engagement at The South Point Showroom on March 25-27 at 7:30pm.
Butala estimates that the group made some 200 appearances on television shows such as Dick
Clark’s “American Bandstand” series, “Shindig”, and “Hullabaloo” were interviewed and
performed on talk shows and variety shows with Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin,
Jack Paar, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, Dinah Shore, and many others throughout the 60’s and 70’s,
cultivating new crops of fans.
Over its 50 years, the trio has gone through a few personnel changes. Engemann left in 1967,
replaced by Gary Pike, Jim Pike’s younger brother. A few years later, due to vocal problems,
Jim left the group and was replaced by his even younger brother, Donny Pike. The group stayed
stable, with this combination all through the seventies and early eighties led by the constant
member Tony Butala. Since then, Mark Preston, Ernie Pontiere, Bobby Poynton, Darren Dowler,
Don Campeau, Chad Nichols and Donovan Tea, have each had stints as members of The
Lettermen.
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., Eddie Money
March 18, 2016
Audio is posted below except on Internet Explorer
5th Dimension stars Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
In recognition of 47 years in the entertainment business, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., the original stars and lead singers of the legendary group The 5th Dimension, will bring their hits to The Orleans Showroom on February 14 and 15.
McCoo and Davis have experienced success through the years as recording artists, performers and authors. Throughout their careers, McCoo and Davis have received seven Grammy awards, earned 15 gold and three platinum records, and starred in roles on both television and stage.
As part of The 5th Dimension, the group released numerous champagne and soul classics, including hits “Up, Up and Away,” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “Worst That Could Happen,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Sweet Blindness,” “Wedding Bell Blues” and “One Less Bell to Answer.”
After a decade with The 5th Dimension, McCoo and Davis decided to leave the group and establish themselves as a duo. They had immediate success with the single, “You Don’t Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show).” The song became a #1 hit and earned them a Grammy for “Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group.” Additionally, Davis devoted his efforts to a successful gospel music career and McCoo served as host of television’s “Solid Gold.”
Eddie Money guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote his upcoming appearance at The Golden Nugget on March 18.
After signing a recording contract with Columbia Records, Money burst onto the scene with his eponymous debut album in 1977. Fans immediately fell in love with Money’s sound, and the album, which went double platinum, featured hits like “Baby Hold On” and “Two Tickets to Paradise.” Money followed the success of his debut album with a stream of Top 40 hits, as well as some of the era’s most creative videos for songs like “Think I’m in Love” and “Shakin.” In 1986, Money released Can’t Hold Back, which featured the classic, Grammy-Nominated duet with Ronnie Spector, “Take Me Home Tonight.” The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album went platinum and also featured the hit “I Wanna Go Back.”
These days, Money continues to delight new and old fans alike at venues throughout the country. Having opened the summer concert season at the famous DTE Energy Music Theatre in Detroit for nearly 20 years, Money draws fans from all over who are eager to see the legendary musician. Ask any concert attendee and they’ll tell you he retains his signature style and performs with the same passion today as he did more than 30 years ago.
In addition to maintaining a busy touring schedule, Money has featured on hit television shows like “The King of Queens,” where he performed for his good friend Kevin James, and “The Drew Carey Show,” where he played Mimi’s ex-husband.
In recent years, Eddie has been joined on tour by his daughter, Jesse Money. Jesse, who was on MTV’s “Rock The Cradle,” is a talented and charismatic vocalist who has chosen to follow in her father’s footsteps. While on tour with Eddie, Jesse sings back-up vocals and adds an exciting twist to the duet “Take Me Home Tonight.” Eddie and his wife Laurie also have four sons – Zachary, Joseph, Desmond, and Julian.
Along with having sold more than 28 million records, Money’s songs have appeared in dozens of movies and television shows, and have recently been included in hit video games like “Grand Theft Auto” and “Guitar Hero.”
For more go to http://www.eddiemoney.com
TweetCarlos Mencia, Esteban
Feb. 18, 2016
Audio posted below except on Internet Explorer
Comedian Carlos Mencia returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong. In a candid “comic to comic” videotaped interview at Treasure Island, following Mencia’s phone interview on our radio show, Carlos reveals the true story behind his lack of popularity amongst his comic peers, since his success on “Mind of Mencia” on Comedy Central.
On the road with his “C 4 URself” Tour, comedic superstar Carlos Mencia. Mencia has appearances on television shows including “In Living Color” and “An Evening at the Improv.” In 2000, he released a comedy album called “Take a Joke, America” that showcased his brand of confrontational humor. In 2002, he received a CableACE Award nomination for “Best Stand-Up Comedy Special” for his HBO special, and was featured on “Comedy Central Presents” later that year. In early 2005, “Mind of Mencia” debuted on Comedy Central, which drew an average of 1.5 million viewers. His most recent Comedy Central special, “New Territory,” debuted in December 2011.
His acting credits include starring opposite Ben Stiller and Michelle Monaghan in 2007’s “The Heartbreak Kid,” and in 2010 he starred in “Our Family Wedding” with Forrest Whittaker and America Ferrara.
For more about Carlos Mencia, click here–>
Musician “Man in Black” – Esteban
Esteban & Teresa Joy- live in-studio on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
The magical artistry of “Esteban,” and his guitar, will make its debut at The Smith Center, Thursday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. A Las Vegas resident, “Esteban,” will perform along with his daughter, violinist Teresa Joy, and his band of outstanding musicians. Show times are set for 7 p.m.
After a relentless pursuit in Los Angeles, Segovia finally permitted Esteban to play for him in 1974. When Segovia heard Esteban play, he invited him to Santiago de Compostela, in northern Spain, for master classes. After these classes, Segovia invited Esteban to Madrid to study privately with the maestro in Segovia’s famous 4th floor studio. For four years, Esteban studied with the master in Spain and in the U.S. In 1978, Segovia gave Esteban his endorsement. Esteban returned to the U.S. and began touring.
Since then, Esteban has topped the Billboard charts many times with his numerous albums, videos and DVDs, and has had first-time music history successes never before accomplished by any guitarist. He has been on the front page of the Wall Street Journal for his famous appearances and record-setting album sales on Home Shopping Network.
More about Esteban here–>
You can catch Esteban at The Smith Center, Cabaret Jazz Theater – Feb, 21
Reservations
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
