Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine-Nov.
Nov. edition-by Michele LaFong
Longevity, and the ability to stay relevant in the ever-changing music business has always proved challenging for even the most talented of artists. Some however, have been able to transcend, and maintain their popularity throughout their careers despite taking a long hiatus. One such example is three-time Grammy Award winner Harry Wayne Casey, KC for short, of KC & The Sunshine Band. Their recent sold out performance at The M Resorts & Casino had the audience on their feet and dancing in the aisles.
KC also proved to be quite “the showman” and comic. KC, now 61, and in-spite of his new-found weight-gain, was still able to shake his booty, moving and grooving in-step with his very talented ensemble of singers, and back-up dancers while simultaneously nailing and holding those high notes! It was quite a workout! I was getting winded just watching him! KC was very at ease on stage and demonstrated his sense of humor, often poking fun at himself. “We play a lot of casinos. In fact, I may have had 1 or 1000 too many free buffets!” His smile truly lit up the stage. It was great to see KC shine, and come alive during his performance on stage, as that does not always translate in an interview.
The costuming, wardrobe, choreography, lighting and production were also extremely well executed. There was never a dull moment in this artsy, entertaining and electrifying extravaganza. The show was very well paced, contained many costume changes, and experienced no lulls. It was like a big dance party, a celebration of familiar hits which included; “Boogie Shoes,” “Shake Your Booty,” “Get Down Tonight,” “Give it up,” “That’s the Way (I Like It),” to name a few…as well as some cover tunes from the release of their new album. Celebrating over 40 years of performing together, KC & The Sunshine Band continue to tour all over the world, performing over 100 dates a year.
Another example of staying-power is the group Wilson Phillips. Singer, Talk Show Host, Reality Star Carnie Wilson, daughter of Icon Brian Wilson, one of the original founding members of The Beach Boys, recently guested on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, to promote her up-coming shows with Wilson Phillips at The Eastside Cannery. Carnie, and childhood friend Chynna Phillips, daughter of Michelle and John Phillips of The Mamas and Papas, co-founded Wilson Phillips with her younger sister Wendy when they were in their teens.
I happened to be sitting directly behind proud mom, Michelle Phillips when Chynna introduced her out of the audience. I loved watching her react to Chynna’s many dramatic vocal runs on-stage. I got a few really good photographs of the enthusiastic crowd on its feet, and the back of Michelle Phillips head!
Towards the end of the show, when Carnie introduced the band members, she also introduced her husband, Musician Rob Bonfiglio, and credited him for many of their arrangements.
Wilson Phillips did not disappoint. They delivered a high energy, “feel good” show. Their hits and harmonies are still in my head! Backstage, I felt like I was at a picnic at my neighbor’s house. Everyone was “down to earth,” and fun to hang out with. Carnie was looking forward to subbing once again as one of the Guest- Hosts of CBS’s “The Talk” that following week.
Grammy Award winner, Meat Loaf guested on LVBST recently to plug his new starring role in “RockTellz” and Cocktails” at The Planet Hollywood Showroom, at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. This is an inter-active show with Q&A sessions about his 47-year music, stage and film career. Performances incorporate his biggest music hits like “I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” as well as “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” from his 1977 classic Bat Out Of Hell – the 3rd best-selling album of all time.
The shows run every Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday, Sept. 26 to Nov. 5. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
During my videotaped interview with Meat Loaf, I also asked about his recent stint on Donald Trump’s reality show, “The Apprentice,” on NBC when he lost his temper with Gary Busey. His answer was quite interesting. Excerpts of this video are posted on casinocenter.com
Meat Loaf is another fine example of a star that continues to stand the test of time and always manages to stay relevant.
Speaking of relevant… Bill Maher returns to The Pearl Theatre at The Palms H&C, on Nov.2 & 3. He delivers an entirely new show with every performance. Amazingly, he never seems to lose his place, stammer, nor ask “what should we talk about next…? He generously invited me backstage to show me his “tried and true” way of cueing himself with notes without skipping a beat. I’m really looking forward to that but remain painfully aware that this method may not prove to be as “user-friendly” with me!
TweetCarnie Wilson, Don Barnes-38 Special-LVBST
Oct. 3, 2013- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Singer, Talk Show Host- Carnie Wilson, Reality Star, and one of the original founding members of Wilson Phillips guests onLas Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Carnie is promoting her upcoming show with Wilson Phillips at The Eastside Cannery on Oct. 5. She shared what it was like now that she’s married and what it’s like being a mom, her relationship past and present with her father Brian Wilson, her weight struggles, and future career plans.
The daughter of American 1960s pop icon Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, and his first wife, former singer Marilyn Rovell of The Honeys, she co-founded Wilson Phillips with her younger sister Wendy and childhood friend Chynna Phillips when they were in their teens. They released two albums, Wilson Phillips and Shadows and Light, sold 12 million albums, and charted three No. 1 singles and six top 20 hits before breaking up in 1993. For more:wilsonphillips.com
Wilson Phillips appearing at The Eastside Cannery on Sat., Oct. 5
Don Barnes-Founding member of 38 Special
Founding member of 38 Special, Don Barnes, guests on LV Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
After more than three decades together, 38 SPECIAL continue to bring their signature blast of Southern Rock to over 100 cities a year. And at each and every show, thousands of audience members are amazed by the explosive power of the band’s performance.
Their many Gold and Platinum album awards stand in testament to the endurance of a legendary powerhouse.
With sales in excess of 20 million, most associate the band with their arena-rock pop smashes, “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “Fantasy Girl,” “If I’d Been the One,” “Back Where You Belong,” “Chain Lightnin’,” “Second Chance,” and more – Timeless hits that remain a staple at radio, immediately recognizable from the first opening chord, and paving the way to their present-day touring regimen. For more: 38special.com
38 Special is appearing at The Cannery on Sat., Oct. 5
TweetCover/Feature Ray Romano in Casino Player Magazine-Oct. by Michele LaFong
“Getting Personal with the Stars” -Ray Romano
by Michele LaFong
(Click on pages below to enlarge)
Page 1 & 2 of Ray Romano Cover/Feature: http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=176433&p=52
Page 3 & 4 of Ray Romano Cover/Feature http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=176433&p=54
M-I saw on the news recently that you were in town, with Actor-Impressionist Kevin Pollak and you were both like the only celebrities left in the poker tournament at The Rio
R-“Yeah, I played at The Main Event, the last one on World Series of Poker (WSP) the big poker tournament. I played it the last six years in a row. With 6000 people in it, it goes seven days and they narrow it down till they have 9 people left, and I made it to day 3, my record was day 2… so this year I actually broke my record.”
M-How did you place compared to Kevin Pollak? (He was on LVBST last year during WSP…)
R-This year I lasted about two hours longer than him.
We both busted out on day three.
R-We play a home game like once a month at home. Brad Garrett plays, Jason Alexander…I started when I was 17 playing with the boys in the neighborhood in Queens.
M- Who is the best poker player out of the group?
R- “Not Brad! I’ll tell you who is not…
Actually, Cheryl Hines believe it or not, plays a mean game. Jason Alexander… well… we are all the same but Brad is so wild, he can get lucky and win because he’s so crazy/wild, but also he can bust-out pretty soon…I will say this… because I’m being honest… he’s the funniest!…and the most politically incorrect.”
M-Speaking of which, you’ve managed to stay out of trouble in terms of “political correctness;” you’re never in the news getting in trouble, saying something you shouldn’t have said…
R- No… you know why? Can I say a bad word? No, I better not…
M- Sure, say it…
R-Cause I’m a “bleep” (the word was short for kitty cat!) Seriously, that’s just not my style. I actually do this in “my act.” I did one politically incorrect joke on television once. I did a joke about obsessive-compulsive people, and it wasn’t that bad, but you don’t want to insult them… because once they start writing letters they don’t quit…Every day you get a letter!
But really…my act’s about my life, my family, my kids, my wife, how much sex I’m not having…it just never comes into play for me to get into trouble…I’m just not a political comedian.
M-These days, you don’t have to be a political comic to get into trouble, and you’ve done a good job so far…
R-Nowadays, with twitter, blogs, every hour there’s always somebody putting their foot in their mouth
M- Are you on Twitter?
R- I am not on twitter!
M- Why…are you afraid?
R- I’m afraid on 2 counts. I’m afraid about saying the wrong thing…trying to be funny and it comes across the wrong way…and also I don’t want people to be able to attack me. I don’t want to give them another venue. The Internet is enough…Believe me, I get it on The Internet, and I don’t learn my lesson. I go on it too much. I read the reviews, and I read the comments…and then I’m in therapy!
M-It really affects you?
R-Yes, it does. It shouldn’t but it does. I never learn my lesson…
M-But you don’t get attacked a lot…I even looked for it online searching for the negative on you… just because…
R-Well I could show you where to go… you got to know where to find it! Like last year, I was on the TV show “Parenthood,” and I was competing against Jason Ritter, for Lauren Graham’s affection. Now, Jason Ritter is thirty years old, and he’s a young stud…and I’m fifty- plus whatever…and …believe me, if you want to get online then…I mean there were some people in my camp, but there were a lot of people who were happy to tell me how I should get lost!”
Critically, “Men of a Certain Age” was a hit, and again, I don’t want to sound obnoxious, because I don’t seek out the bad reviews…but I’ll find them, and when “Men of a Certain Age” came out, it was hard to find a bad review when we first came out… in fact it won The Peabody Award, but we still got cancelled, so that just tells you…the business is all about money…it all comes down to the buck.
M-Do you have any idea what you could have done differently, or should have done to keep that show alive?
R-I don’t really know…I’m not going to criticize TNT because they were the only ones who would put us on. It’s hard to sell a show about three fifty –year old men, who are going through a mid-life crisis in today’s television, but they put us on. I think it was a tough fit though. What does well on their network are The Light Crime Dramas, and they’re good shows but our show was so different than that, so I don’t know that the TNT audience was taking to our show…maybe it would have worked on a different network where you don’t need as many ratings…like some of these critically acclaimed shows like “Madmen,” “Louie,” and all these great shows that survived with a small cult, loyal audience.
“Men of a Certain Age” was my show that I created with Mike Royce. I created it from the ground up.
At the time that Men of a Certain Age got cancelled, the closest thing on television to that would be “Parenthood,” as far as the tone of the show goes. I was a fan of Parenthood, and I was a friend of the show-runner Jason Katims, and when Parenthood got cancelled, we were talking, and it came up about possibly doing an arc on his show, and I said “if you find me something on your show, whatever my agent quotes you for my price, I’ll do better than.” About three weeks later, my agent called me and said “Uh…did you promise Jason Katims that you would do the show for less money? I said yeah…yeah I did, because the work was important to me, and that’s how it started…and I didn’t even know I was going to be on again this year but we found another storyline, so I’m back again this season.
M- Any new creations in the works?
R- We got a couple of things we were just toying around with. I just acted in a small independent movie, called “Rob the Mob.” It’s a real life-story about these 2 young lovers who rob from The Mafia in the 90s. I play a reporter, and hopefully that will come out in the next couple of months, and I’m trying to write a screen-play about an Italian family from Queens, which of course, I come from… we’re actually looking to do Jim Valvano’s story, who was the coach for North Carolina State, “Jimmy V’, (there’s a foundation that raises money for cancer, cause he died of cancer)…and we’re trying to do his life-story. I’m trying to get the role of Jimmy V. It’s a great inspirational story about his life. He won the championship in 1983, and sadly he died ten years later, but it’s a cool story that we’re trying to do now.
M- I remember bumping into you in the hallways, at Joanna Beckson’s Acting Studio in Manhattan when we were coming-up in our comedy careers- your class was letting out, as mine was coming in, and I remember that your manager Rory Rosegarten had insisted that all his acts take these acting classes so that we’d be prepared for our own sitcoms. Were you really happy that you had taken those classes when you ended up landing your own series on Television, and did it make a big difference for you?
R-It was a big help but to be honest, when I got “Everybody Loves Raymond,” they gave me an acting coach then as well. When we first started they said “we want to try to hook you up with an acting coach to maybe meet once a week, and go over the script.” They said “you know this is different than stand-up…people are going to talk back to you now!”
M-You seemed very at ease with your acting-right from the get go, as opposed to Jerry Seinfeld for example who when early in the series, was not at all an actor but really grew as the show went along and became much more natural.
R-Well, I did too but the one thing that was great about Everybody Loves Raymond was that I was involved, and in the Writer’s Room and everything felt organic, and if it didn’t… we would work on it until it did… and I would either have to find it through acting, or through writing. Of course if you watch me on season one verses season seven, and eight- like anything, you evolve with time.
M- When I was researching you, I noticed you were on the Celebrity Atheist List.
R-I saw that! No, it is not true. I was an Altar Boy when I was growing up in Queens. The Internet also claimed I had a severe peanut allergy, which I don’t…I’m eating almond butter right now as we speak!
My full interview with Ray will air Oct.17, 6pm-7pm PST on “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, on 1230AM in LV and streams live on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com. Ray Romano is appearing at The Mirage with Kevin James Oct.18 & 19 also Nov.22 & 23.
Tweet“Getting Personal with the Stars” Column-Casino Player Magazine/by Michele LaFong
August edition, Paula Poundstone
“Getting Personal with the Stars” Paula Poundstone-online Version: http://t.co/8f04e5zbZ5
Paula Poundstone has been a recurring favorite guest on my radio show, Las Vegas Backstage Talk for over two years. I always attend her show at The Orleans whenever she is in town, as her show never seems to get repetitive, as she uses the audience in her hilarious, spontaneous banter, to weave her material very masterfully throughout.
This unique comedian, an adoptive mother of three, is never at a loss for new material which includes her sixteen “shelter cats,” and two large rescued German Shepard Mixes.)
One thing that always struck me is that Paula always makes her entrance on stage with very wet hair. I had to ask if this was reflective of some kind of ritual or superstition.
No, Paula responded. ”I shower before going on-stage because I want to give the crowd “The Deluxe…” It is this kind rapid- fire, sarcastic, one liner responses, coupled with the fact that Poundstone’s comedy is mostly autobiographical, that make me think “sitcom” every time I see, or interview her. Might you consider doing a sitcom if presented with one? “No…Here’s the thing…My youngest is only 14, and I want to finish ruining his life before moving onto other projects. I want to finish making bad parenting choices before I take that on…I’m hoping that before he gets into college, there might be some elderly role that I can play, that Betty White isn’t available for…and I would have to step in. The schedule on those shows can be pretty grueling, and I kind of like the idea of making sure that someday my son will be gainfully employed so…
Q You became a stand-up early on in life-you just got on a Greyhound bus, and you just started going to clubs. How long was it before you really felt that you “might have something” once you were in the clubs?
A-I don’t know but when I get to that point I will give you a call…when I really think I may have something going on… I really don’t know…I did take the Greyhound bus all over to open mike nights, and seeing what clubs were like in different cities, and I started out in Boston, and ended up a couple of years later in San Fransisco, which had a GREAT comedy scene at that time, and then I moved to Santa Monica, I don’t like to brag, but I live right near a Jack in the Box.
Q-Do you still go out and do guest sets and try out new material?
A-No I don’t have that opportunity to go and do open mikes anymore…I wish I did cause it’s such a great tool…but I have kids. I have to be home every night so that my son can lie to me about doing his Spanish homework.
Q- Do your kids have any interest in being comics or anything in Show Business, and if so how would you feel about that?
A_ if they were interested, I’d have no problem with it. I’d think that would be fun if that’s what they wanted to do. Let me think…well, my oldest daughter would like to sit in a chair…and…you might think… maybe work at a computer, or work at phone banking or something …but no…she just wants to sit in a chair, and it’s been very hard to convince her that there are no jobs that you just sit in a chair and get paid for that. But I’m her mom and she doesn’t believe me…so… she’s still looking.
Q-At least when you have kids, you can learn how to work technology by asking your kids. Do you find that is helpful?
A-Um…No…I don’t, I really don’t!
Q- You started comedy in 1979, and haven’t had a slow season since then have you?
A-“I’ve been very lucky to work a lot over the years, which is great. I’m on the road a lot, a lot a lot! I have many frequent flyer miles, and many, many small shampoos. The truth is that very early on I tried going out for a month straight before I had children…and I was miserable. It was just a horrible experience. I would never do that again. What I do now is I go out on the weekends. Sometimes it’s Thursday thru Saturday. Now I have a system. It works out okay. Occasionally there are weeks where I don’t go out at all…and my children seem to wish that I would. I think we’ve found the right balance somewhere…the best that we could do anyway.
Q-So your kids bring a lot of material to your show…?
A-I don’t even have to write!…I really just have to take notes. My oldest daughter…If only she were kidding. If only there was any irony in the things that she said.
Q How old is she?
A- Twenty one. We’ve actually been getting up earlier in the morning now so that we can fight longer! Otherwise…we’re tired by ten…and I’d like to still get in another good solid hour of yelling and screaming.
Q- Does she get your sense of humor?
A-No…not really. I don’t think so. She believes that everything that I say is the polar opposite of what she must do. I mean honestly, I could actually kill her by telling her to breathe! I tell her all the time “if you don’t get your act together, we’re gonna live together for the rest of our lives…like Laverne & Shirley.
I love my job…just the way it is now. I don’t have to submit what I’m going to do to anybody, and have the “suits” go over it, and decide if they think it’s funny or not. I get to go on stage and say whatever I like. In television, it’s terrible! Oh my God they are a pain! And it’s the people by the way that don’t even go on stage that want to tell you what’s funny, and what’s not. They’re all phonies though. But I do The Craig Ferguson Show regularly, and they are great there, they pretty much give me free reign…But there are a lot of settings…certainly in sitcoms where there’s a script, and there are SO many people that are not performers that are involved in the decision making process…and I hate that.
Paula Poundstone’s latest interview plugging her appearance at The Orleans Showroom, July 5 & 6 at 8pm, can be heard on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show from 6pm-7pm PST, July 4 & 6 on 1230am in Las Vegas and steaming live on this site. She is also featured in my Monthly Syndicated Column, “Las Vegas Backstage Talk,” in Casino Player Magazine.
TweetComedian Gallagher on LVBST video links
Comedian Gallagher talks about his new invented Slot Machine Software to Michele LaFong http://youtu.be/7mpfRkDql_Q
Getting Really Personal with Comedian Gallagher Backstage at The Tropicana LV http://youtu.be/mcEj8yLH8dE
Gallagher reveals the “never been told” story behind Gallagher II http://youtu.be/efQ7U2huJmY
Comedian Gallagher announces his new show at The Tropicana to Michele LaFong http://youtu.be/hmYov5thToA
Comedian Gallagher has guested many times on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong, on 1230AM in Las Vegas, and The Web. He is also featured in LaFong’s Syndicated Column “Las Vegas Backstage Talk,” July’s edition of Casino Player Magazine.
TweetPauly Shore, Gary Owen, Jarrett & Raja-LVBST w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Aug. 30, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Pauly Shore, Comic Gary Owen, and Illusionists Jarrett & Raja guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong, on Thursday from 6:05pm-7:00pm PST on 970am KNUU, in Las Vegas, and The Web.
An entertainment career was virtually pre-ordained for Pauly Montgomery Shore. At age 4, he sat on the lap of The King himself in the company of his father, comedian Sammy Shore, who opened for Elvis during the early ’70s. Around the same time, Pauly’s mother, Mitzi, and father opened The Comedy Store on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, giving their son the rare opportunity to hang out and be inspired by such rising talents as Robin Williams, David Letterman and the late Sam Kinison, who became Pauly’s mentor. At 17, Pauly began writing and performing his own material, creating the persona of “The Weizel,” a character that quickly appealed to young audiences.
Pauly Shore has a successful career in comedy, movie and television roles, directing and writing.
His new special “Pauly~tics” will be coming to Showtime in November.
More about Pauly Shore here–>
You can catch Pauly Shore headlining at South Point.
The Showroom at South Point, Aug. 31 – Sept. 2 – 7:30pm
Comedian – Gary Owen
Gary Owen stars in the Screen Gems feature film THINK LIKE A MAN with Kevin Hart, Romany Malco, and Gabrielle Union. Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, the hit film opened at #1 at the box office on April 20th. Gary’s new, uproariously funny one-hour Showtime comedy special TRUE STORY is now available on DVD and Netflix. He can be seen this fall in UPLOAD, a video clip show he co-hosts with Shaquille O’Neal for TruTV.
In addition, Owen currently hosts SHAQ’S ALL-STAR COMEDY JAM and performs at many of the top comedy clubs across the country.
More about Gary Owen here–>
You can catch Gary Owen hosting SHAQ’S ALL-STAR COMEDY JAM
The Joint Las Vegas / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sept. 1 – 8:00pm
Illusionists – Jarrett & Raja
Jarrett & Raja were Howie Mandel’s pick for “The Wild Card Show” on “America’s Got Talent.” Both judges Howie Mandel and Howard Stern were visabally upset and voiced their opinions in interviews after the show when Jarrett & Raja were voted off “America’s Got Talent.” They will be giving the inside story on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show.
Direct from the great casinos of the Las Vegas Strip and billed as “Master Magician & Piano Genius”, JARRETT & RAJA bring to the stage their amazing and unique blend of magic, music and comedy. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary in show business in October 2012 and recently competed on NBC-TV’s “America’s Got Talent” in San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York.
Acclaimed by the likes of “Siegfried & Roy” and “Penn & Teller”, JARRETT & RAJA have performed on the major stages from New York and Las Vegas throughout Far East Asia and Europe. They recently returned to Las Vegas following an outstanding two year spectacular show in Singapore.
More about Jarrett & Raja here–>
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
