Columnist Jerry Fink: ‘Knots’ alum Gian hopes to land in showroom

Friday, July 9, 2004 | 8:34 a.m.

During the past year singer/actor Joey Gian has studied the Las Vegas entertainment scene.

What he has discovered hasn't sent him packing back to Los Angeles, but neither has it been particularly heartening.

"It's just so corporate," says Gian, who performs at the Bootlegger Bistro on Wednesday nights. "Basically, a decision to put any group into a room is a decision that seems to be made on the corporate level in five minutes. It's very cut and dried, one of 25 important decisions they have to make in a meeting.

"To most, it would be discouraging. For me, it's challenging."

The former cast member of "Knots Landing," who placed second in the Ed McMahon-hosted "Star Search" in 1985, came to Vegas to educate himself and to put together a couple of shows.

"I wanted to take the year to do a few things," Gian said. "Most importantly I wanted to learn the market, to see what goes on here, what works here and what doesn't and to understand why."

He recently celebrated his first anniversary at the Bootlegger, joined in the spotlight by Sonny King, Lena Prima (daughter of the late Louis Prima) and blues guitarist Ron Mancuso (son of jazz man Gus Mancuso and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, owner of the Bootlegger).

"When I first came here, I had ideas for two shows," the 42-year-old Gian said. "Now I have ideas for four."

Gian wasn't totally naive when he arrived in Vegas last year.

"As a kid, I always knew something about the town," the Brooklyn native said.

He performed here once in 1990, at the Riviera in a tribute to Sammy Davis Jr., who had died nine months earlier. At the time, Gian was on "Knots Landing."

"I shared the stage with a lot of performers, like Liza Minnelli," he recalled. "I was hardcore blues at the time."

He's gone through several phases -- rock 'n' roll (when his hair was long and his ear pierced), jazz, blues and standards.

"I cover different styles of music and different genres," Gian said. "But whatever I have sung, it has been something that I felt was true to me. I don't sell anything that isn't true to me, whether it's blues, R&B or standards."

Legendary R&B singer Ruth Brown, a Las Vegas resident since 1994, is a big fan of Gian's.

"She said I was a soul singer," Gian said. "She said, 'You know how to work a lyric. You're a wonderful singer and storyteller. When I heard you singing, it made me want to sing with you.' "

And she did, standing up and joining him right in the middle of a song.

Gian has been acquiring a lot of fans since he began at the Bootlegger, but he says the reason he is there is to develop the songs and the act he wants to find a home for in a showroom.

"I'm looking at what seems to sell," Gian said. "I've started writing material that reflects Las Vegas -- a wired, fun, spirited town where people are always rolling the dice, taking a chance.

"I have a bunch of new material that I will be incorporating into my Bootlegger gig. I consider that to be my workout room. I sing there to keep the chops up, to be visible and to fine-tune my material -- like a live rehearsal."

He's also fine-tuning his performing skills. King, who hosts "Off the Cuff" at the Bootlegger on Fridays and Saturdays, is helping.

"Humor is important," Gian said. "That's what I love about Sonny King. He puts on a tux and looks sharp, and he's funny.

"I have learned a lot from him about how to entertain people in between songs, and in the songs themselves. Before, I would never goof around in the middle of a song, but now I do. Sonny is teaching me to make people laugh and to feel good."

Gian says one of the many things he has learned about the Vegas market is that his job is to throw a party.

"But I sell romance first, then turn it into a party," he said.

Gian is noted for his style, class, integrity and winning personality, qualities entertainment directors once looked for in their entertainers.

"There are some amazing hotels in this town," Gian said. "But the corporate people, they seem to have forgotten that it was the personalities, the image and the style of the entertainers that made those places successful.

"They looked for those things. That was important. They embraced style and personalty. But today, they have lost sight of the personality. Their showrooms are gorgeous, but sterile."

Gian won't quit knocking on doors.

"I'm committed to seeing my projects through," he said. "Success doesn't always happen on my timetable. But anything I focus on I work hard at and I succeed.

"I know what I'm offering. I know the level of talent I have."

Meanwhile, he's having fun.

"I know where I'm going in this town. I just have to be patient and wait for the corporate guys to push the button on the elevator and come down from their towers to hear me."

Lounging around

Popular vocalist Shelly Taylor (Mirage's Baccarat Lounge) has completed a new CD, "All of You," full of great standards, such as "How High the Moon," "Dream a Little Dream" and, of course, "All of You." Her voice is exquisite. The CD soon will be available in local record stores. Until then, you can order a copy at www.shellytaylor.com. She is backed by six of Vegas' top jazz musicians.

Auto dealer Tom Saitta has rejoined the cast of musicians who perform at City Lights Bistro's Wednesday Night Jazz Jam. Saitta, who does vocals and plays the fluegelhorn and trumpet, took a hiatus from his musical avocation to spend more time with his expanding auto dealerships.

Also at the Bistro, vocalist Shawn Rene Knight has joined pianist Dennis Mellen as co-host of the jam session.

The Steven Lee Group will perform at the Bellagio's Fontana Bar from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 21-22 and July 28-29.

The Seven Seas Restaurant And Lounge, 808 W. Lake Mead Blvd., features M.R.K. 1 from 9 p.m. to midnight Thursdays. The group of three brothers does Oldies, R&B, smooth jazz, originals and current dance music. Vocalist Maurice Hayes plays bass guitar, guitar and keyboards; brother Roy Hayes also is a vocalist and plays bass guitar, and younger brother Kevin Dailey is lead vocalist and plays guitar and drums.

Randy Martin performs "Martinis With Martin Show" at Capos Fine Italian Dining restaurant, 5795 W. Tropicana Ave., at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.