Columnist Joe Delaney: Hill is hailed, a well-deserved tribute

Joe Delaney

Thursday, March 26, 1998 | 9:52 a.m.

CHARLOTTE HILL is being celebrated with a French Gourmet Dinner Feast at 6:30 p.m. on April 3 in Russell's Restaurant on the Cheyenne Campus, Community College of Southern Nevada. ... Charlotte is the founder-president, Friends of Channel 10, and a director (1971-1998). ... In addition, she has served on the CCSN College Advisory Board and as Chairman of the CCSN Foundation since 1989.

As Chairman of the Board of Directors for the SUN Summer Camp Fund, she has been a vital force. ... It was this indefatigable lady who recruited me for KLVX Channel 10 in 1971. ... The result was two annual auctions, followed by the annual 36-hour marathon fund drives over two decades.

Every star from Sinatra on down participated through the years, providing the momentum the current management is still enjoying. ... We hosted those marathons; it was Charlotte who made them successful.

More honors

That same evening, the Augustus Society will honor Sam Butera with a Lifetime Achievement Award, plus recognition as Entertainer of the Year with a dinner at 7 p.m. in the Orleans Hotel. ... We go back more than four decades with Sam. ... Butera was playing hard bop tenor a la Wardell Grey, alternating with the Dukes of Dixieland, at the Famous Door on New Orleans' Bourbon Street in the early 1950s.

We recorded Sam and what was to become The Witnesses, pre-Louie Prima and Keely Smith, for Cadence and RCA's Groove label. ... The late Alan Freed gave Butera a chance to steal the all-star show at the Brooklyn Armory. ... This led to a date in New York City.

The Basin Street West bill was Louis Armstrong & his All-Stars, Lily Christine, The Cat Girl, and Butera & Co. ... Louie Prima and Keely Smith "happened" when Sam joined them, circa 1954, in the Sahara Casbar.

Star-policy rundown

It's Anne Murray (Bally's); Moody Blues (Caesars Palace); Debbie Reynolds (her hotel); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Carrot Top (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Lou Rawls (Orleans); Danny Gans (Rio) and Jackie Mason (Sahara). ... Tony Danza and comedian John Pinette are at the Sheraton Desert Inn, Friday through Sunday.

Amy Grant returns the revised and refurbished Hilton showroom to a weekend star policy with shows at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. ... Russian rock star Philip Kirkorov performs in Bally's Jubilee Theatre at 8 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Comedy choices: Max Alexander (Harrah's Improv); Nick Lewin, afternoons, and Bob Zany, evenings (Maxim); Barry Diamond, second week (MGM's "Catch"), Johnny Yune and Sandy Hackett (Riviera Comedy Club) and Norma Zager, cookie maven (Tropicana Comedy Stop).

Sunday special

Hit songwriter-turned-playwright and actor, George Fischoff, brings his Off-Broadway success, "Shepherd," to UNLV's Ham Hall for an 8 p.m. performance Sunday. ... "Shepherd" received rave reviews during its six month run in New York City. ... Fischoff portrays all the characters as he tells the story of David, the boy shepherd, and his battle with Goliath in a manner that appeals to all faiths and ages.

New York drama critic Clive Barnes: "Fischoff does it all. A formidable pianist, he just doesn't tickle the ivories, he can make them reverberate with passion and resonate with the wrath of God."

Fischoff is a Juilliard graduate. ... His songs have been recorded by artists ranging from Perry Como to the Monkees. ... His music for the Broadway musical "Georgy," was a Tony Award nominee. ... Tickets are available at the Performing Arts Center Box Office and Dillard's.

Anent Oscars

Director Stanley Donen's acceptance of a special award, introduced by Martin Scorsese, was a personal high spot in Monday's Academy Awards. ... Billy Crystal is by far our favorite host. ... His late father, Jack Crystal, and I were good friends and, occasionally, fellow jazz concert promoters in New York. ...Proud father would tell me his son was very funny and "Someday... ." ... See you Friday.