Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun
Andrew Freeman performs with other band members during rehearsal for “Raiding the Rock Vault” in the LVH Theater at LVH on Wednesday, March 6, 2013.
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 | 11 a.m.
As you might suspect with a name like “Raiding the Rock Vault,” success with a show consisting of rockers from different bands is all about finding the right combination.
Singer/guitarist Andrew Freeman is thrilled to be a part of it every night and says this particular vault contains a wealth of musical talent.
“It’s going great! We are a little over seven months in, and there's no end in sight,” Freeman said. “I got involved with the show through our show creator and bandmate John Payne. I was hired to sing guide tracks on the original recordings of the music for the show. John liked my voice and asked me if I would be interested in doing the show. Here we are in Vegas a year and a half later just killing it!”
Freeman, who is at tied for fourth among 16 local celebrities and media personalities in this year’s Chase for the Golden Nerf, says he and his all-star team of rockers knew they had a potential hit almost immediately.
“The cast consists of myself; Howard Leese, guitar (Heart); Tracii Guns, guitar (LA Guns, Guns n’ Roses); Robin McAuley, lead vocals (MSG, Survivor); John Payne, lead vocals, bass (Asia); Paul Shortino, lead vocals (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot); Jay Schellen, drums (Hurricane); Michael T. Ross, keyboards (Lita Ford); as well as actors Richard Malmos, Ryan Mueller, Coby Mosby, Amanda Gibson and Megan Kinney,” he said. “It came pretty easy. We all got along really well from the get-go. The band’s chemistry is amazing.”
Freeman’s favorite part of Raiding the Rock Vault is when the band does a run of ’70 songs by Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and the Eagles.
“I play bass and guitar on the songs, so I'm more in the mix with the band than just being the singer,” he said. “Our crowds have been great! They are all really responsive. We are a rock show to the core, so when it gets rolling, it’s impossible not to get a little crazy.”
Freeman is enjoying life not-on-the-road in his new home.
“I love Vegas. This experience has been amazing, and I'm looking forward to a long run here. I've met some great people, too. We've definitely been welcomed with open arms. When I'm not performing, I'm back in L.A. spending time with my 4-year-old son,” he said.
As for the Nerf competition, he leans toward the other side of the country.
“I'm really enjoying the Chase for the Golden Nerf. I'm far from an expert, so I tend to pick from my heart. My roots are in the Northeast, so I favor those teams. I wish I had time to follow football more, but it's just impossible with my schedule these days,” Freeman said. “My favorites are the Patriots, Jets and the Giants. New York teams always take priority to me or I would be disowned by my friends and family back East.”
You can catch Freeman five nights a week at LVH. In addition to "Raiding the Rock Vault," he also sings for a band called Last In Line, which includes the original lineup of the band Dio: Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard, Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath, Jimmy Bain of Rainbow and Claude Schnell.
“We are doing a one-off show in Vegas at Vinyl in the Hard Rock Hotel on Tuesday at 11 p.m., right after Rock Vault, so I have two shows that night!”
Sal DeFillipo’s picks (3-8-1):
Giants-Eagles over 54½
Ravens +3 at Dolphins
Chiefs -2½ at Titans
•••
The media/celebrity picks:
Terry Fator, Mirage headliner (10-2)
Broncos-Cowboys over 56
Chargers -4½ at Raiders
Rams-Jaguars under 42
•••
John Katsilometes, The Kats Report (7-4-1)
Seahawks-Colts over 43½
Packers-Lions over 52½
Rams-Jaguars under 42
•••
Claire Sinclair, star of Pin Up at Stratosphere (6-4-2)
Seahawks -2½ at Colts
Broncos -7 at Cowboys
Texans +7 at 49ers
•••
Jason Feinberg, KVVU-TV morning personality (6-6)
Bears -1 vs. Saints
Falcons -9 vs. Jets
Broncos -7 at Cowboys
•••
Andrew Freeman, Raiding the Rock Vault performer at LVH (6-6)
Lions +7 at Packers
Colts +2½ vs. Seahawks
Patriots +1½ at Bengals
•••
Carolyn Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas (6-6)
Chiefs -2½ at Titans
Seahawks -2½ at Colts
Broncos -7 at Cowboys
•••
Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas" (6-6)
Cardinals +2 vs. Panthers
Patriots +1½ at Bengals
Colts –2½ vs. Seahawks
•••
Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas ambassador (5-6-1)
49ers -7 vs. Texans
Chargers -4½ at Raiders
Eagles +2½ at Giants
•••
Donny Osmond, Flamingo headliner (5-6-1)
Chiefs -2½ at Titans
Broncos -7 at Cowboys
49ers -7 vs. Texans
•••
Mark & Mercedes in the Morning, Mix 94.1 (4-5-3)
Patriots +1½ at Bengals
Chargers -4½ at Raiders
Broncos -7 at Cowboys
•••
Frankie Moreno, Stratosphere headliner (4-6-2)
Chargers -4½ at Raiders
Falcons -9 vs. Jets
Colts +2½ vs. Seahawks
•••
Carla Pellegrino, celebrity chef and owner of Bratalian (4-7-1)
Saints +1 at Bears
Eagles +2½ at Giants
Broncos -7 at Cowboys
•••
Kevin Janison, KVBC meteorologist (4-7-1)
Texans +7 at 49ers
Colts +2½ vs. Seahawks
Rams-Jaguars under 42
•••
Marc Savard, Comedy Hypnotist at Planet Hollywood (3-7-2)
Ravens +3 at Dolphins
Patriots +1½ at Bengals
Saints +1 at Bears
•••
Carrot Top, Luxor headliner (3-8-1)
Giants -2½ vs. Eagles
Broncos -7 at Cowboys
Patriots +1½ at Bengals
•••
Dana White, UFC president (3-9)
Giants -2½ vs. Eagles
Chargers -4½ at Raiders
Broncos -7 at Cowboys
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