Southern casinos luring big name performers

Kathy Hanrahan

Monday, April 18, 2005 | 9:30 a.m.

JACKSON, Miss. -- From the gritty Southern rock of the Black Crowes to the comedy of George Carlin, casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are scoring top-notch headlining acts and finding other ways to draw potential gamblers and entertainment buffs to their venues.

"Our entertainment plays a big part of the overall experience of the resort," said Mary Cracchiolo, Beau Rivage spokeswoman.

Cracchiolo said the casino benefits from its Las Vegas connection -- parent company MGM Mirage, which owns 13 resorts and casinos across the country. Entertainers often find out about the Mississippi casino when performing at other MGM properties, she said.

The Las Vegas connection helped Beau Rivage book Siegfried and Roy protege Darren Romeo for a one month stint last year. Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, animal-themed illusionists, were institutions at the Mirage before a near-fatal tiger mauling in 2003 left Horn partially paralyzed. The duo presented Romeo's first headlining show at The Mirage.

Cracchiolo said that once performers come to the Beau Rivage, they are typically interested in coming back.

Mississippi native LeAnn Rimes liked the coast so much the country music star performed two shows in her home state last year.

"I don't get back very often to Mississippi but I do love it," Rimes said during a phone interview from Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas last May.

Rimes performed on June 4 at the Beau Rivage and followed up several months later with a taping of the Great American Country network's "Country on the Gulf" concert series at the Grand Casino in Biloxi.