Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Jerry Fink: Anderson at home in Branson

I first met longtime Vegas singer-impressionist Bob Anderson almost five years ago when he was performing at the Desert Inn's Starlight Lounge.

That was in March 2000. In April of that year Steve Wynn bought the relatively small DI, closed it five months later and in April will open his latest megaresort, Wynn Las Vegas, a $2.5 billion facility on the site where the DI once stood.

Anderson, somewhat discouraged by the lack of opportunities for his classy style of entertainment, left Vegas two years ago for Branson, Mo., where he had a chance to pursue his career in the lush greenness of the Ozark Mountains as opposed to the desert of Southern Nevada.

The multibillion-dollar casinos such as Wynn Las Vegas are making it increasingly difficult for Anderson and performers of his stature to make a living in the city they once dominated.

To pay their megabills, the megaresorts build megashowrooms for megastars and megaproductions that cost megabucks to see.

So Anderson, a saloon singer with a repertoire of about 80 singing impressions (as well as his own fine voice), was squeezed out.

But he is returning to Vegas next week for a three-day engagement at the Summerlin Library Theatre, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Feb. 18-20.

Tickets are $24.95. They can be purchased online at www.bobanderson.com or by calling (866) 568-3399.

Anderson, who arrived in Vegas from Detroit in 1973 at age 22, will be backed by the Vincent Falcone Trio -- which includes conductor/pianist Falcone, bassist Chris Gordan and drummer Tim Prat.

"I miss Las Vegas in many ways," Anderson said during a telephone interview from his home on a golf course near Branson. "I had a blast while I was there.

"If I could find a room there for a few weeks in the summer, that would be wonderful."

Meanwhile, Anderson has discovered the wonders of Branson, which sits in a cluster of three lakes 45 miles south of Springfield.

"Las Vegas has something like 83 shows," Anderson said. "Branson has 116. Not all of them are legitimate, and maybe many should not be here -- they're kind of repetitious."

There are 45 theaters in Branson, each featuring two or three different shows. Many of them are on a "strip" about five miles long.

Andy Williams has his own theater, as do many other performers, such as Roy Clark. Bill Medley is opening one in September, across the street from Dolly Parton's.

In 2003, Anderson performed in the Mickey Gilley Theatre. Last year he moved into his own 250-seat supper club -- Bob Anderson's Club Vegas -- in the Lodge of the Ozarks, where he performs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Anderson is on hiatus until April 1, when he will return to Branson for a run through Dec. 17. Most performers take several months off in the winter and summer, when tourism is down, but Anderson plans to buck the trend.

When he does have time off he performs on cruise ships, at corporate events and occasionally in Europe.

Branson has a lot of entertainment names familiar to Vegas in addition to Anderson -- there's a production of "Legends in Concert"; "The Rat Pack, Live from Las Vegas" and "Elvis and the Superstars," to name a few. Jack Jones will be performing in "Man of La Mancha" this year.

And what would an enter- tainment center be without "Cirque" -- not a production by Cirque du Soleil, but rather one by Neil Goldberg, who started Cirque Productions in 1993.

"Cirque" may have the feel of a Cirque du Soleil show, but it has nothing to do with the entertainment company that dominates Las Vegas.

And there is no gaming in Branson, just shows, shopping and recreation. Anderson said visitors frequently take in three shows a day when they come to town.

"They may get up for breakfast and see a 10 a.m. show; after lunch they go to an afternoon show and then they may take in a show after dinner," he said. "It's not a late-night town for the tourists, although it's getting to be.

"I will have jazz after my show this year. We may continue 'til 2 in the morning."

While Branson may be discovering Vegas-style entertainment, it still hasn't discovered Vegas-style prices. Anderson's show is $24.95 ($44.95 with dinner); a ticket to Williams' show is about $35; Gilley charges $25.

"It's very cool here," Anderson said. "I love it. What they're trying to do is to broaden the entertainment choices in Branson.

"They don't want to be known as the resort with the Ozark Mountain theme -- they want to keep some of those shows for the tradition, but the demographics are getting much younger. They want to appeal to Baby Boomers, 45 to 65, which is perfect for myself."

Talk show host

One can feel the charisma of Michael Baisden over the telephone line.

The host of "Love, Lust and Lies," a radio talk show that airs out of New York City, had just finished his afternoon broadcast and was talking about his upcoming visit to Las Vegas.

"I'm motivated by poverty," Baisden said. "I grew up poor on the Southside of Chicago, and when you grow up poor you don't want to remain poor.

"I realized at an early age how valuable having control over your life is."

He says from childhood he has been an entrepreneur -- he would buy candy wholesale and sell it retail; he sold popcorn from his patio.

The 41-year-old author, motivational speaker and talk-show host will be in Vegas on Feb. 18 for a public speaking engagement at Boulder Station's Railhead and to meet fans of his radio show.

"Love, Lust and Lies" is becoming nationally syndicated -- Las Vegas was the first to sign up. It premiered here Jan. 31, and can be heard at noon on KVGS 107.9-FM.

Baisden is confident the show will be heard on 100 stations by the end of the year.

"But it's not about the quantity of markets, but the quality," Baisden said.

The Chicago native's rise to fame began when he self-published his first book in 1995, "Never Satisfied: How and Why Men Cheat," which sold more than 400,000 copies.

He self-published a second book in 1997, "Men Cry in the Dark," which has been turned into a stage play, and in 1999 he published "The Maintenance Man," which was also turned into a stage play.

As Baisden traveled the country promoting the books on radio, he became familiar with the business and the business became familiar with him.

In 2001 he was offered his first radio show, "Talk or Walk," which aired shortly before 9/11. The show failed and he returned to writing books -- In 2002 he released "God's Gift to Women," a novel about a fatal attraction.

He made another stab at radio in 2003 when he became an afternoon drive-time host on KISS 98.7-FM in New York City. In lieu of salary, he received experience.

In 2004, Baisden signed a multiyear syndication deal with ABC Radio.

He says everything that he has today he owes to the books.

"The stories are about men -- the foundation of every book is about men growing; the growth and maturing and evolution of men and their relationships," Baisden said.

Judging by the success of the books, the market had been untapped.

"The foundation is honesty," Baisden said. "That's my platform -- being honest. If men and women can learn to be honest they can quit wasting the two things that are most valuable -- peace of mind and time."

Filming resumes

Ossie Davis, who died of natural causes Feb. 4 in Miami Beach, Fla., was working on a film being partially shot in Vegas at the time of his death.

The 87-year-old actor was co-starring in Cornerstone Productions' "Retirement," a comedy about a group of friends. Other stars include Jack Warden, George Segal, Peter Falk and Rip Torn.

Riviera publicity manager John Neeland said two days of filming had been completed at the local casino when the production moved to Florida for a few weeks.

The filming in Vegas is scheduled to resume Feb. 28 and continue through March 15. No official announcement has been made about Davis' replacement. Neeland said the two days of filming in which Davis appeared will have to be re-shot.

Neeland said the Riviera's rear parking lot will be used for the production's base camp.

Other scenes are to be shot at the Rio, Krave nightclub, Sapphire's, Special Memory Wedding Chapel and in the Valley of Fire.

"After Ossie died the motion picture company called us," Neeland said. "They were in a state of somber chaos ... nobody knew what was going to happen."

Bennetts everywhere

Tony Bennett's heart may be in San Francisco, but his daughter will be in the lounge when he performs his signature song at the Golden Nugget from Feb. 18-20.

Aspiring jazz vocalist Antonia Bennett is scheduled to perform in the Oasis Lounge starting at 9 p.m. during her father's three-day engagement at the casino's Theatre Ballroom.

Tony Bennett's show also begins at 9 p.m.

Tickets for the legendary 77-year-old vocalist are $100.

Admission to the performance by the 30-year-old daughter of the legend is free. She will sing three sets.

Fire benefit

Gordie Brown and Clint Holmes will headline a free concert in the Golden Nugget showroom at 10 p.m. Saturday to benefit Bob Lentini and Jeanne Quinn, whose house burned on Jan. 26. Donations are being accepted on the couple's behalf.

The fire destroyed the home and the couple's business offices. Lentini is a software designer/developer and audio engineer who has worked on projects for such artists as Billy Dean and Kenny Rogers. Quinn is a graphic artist and award-winning Web site designer. Her clients include many high-profile artists, including Brown.

The three-hour benefit concert also will feature performances by Bill Fayne, Jerry Lopez, Steven Lee Group, Rocco Barbato, Jeff Neiman, Phoenix and the Lon Bronson All-Star Band.

For those unable to attend the benefit concert, an account has been established to receive donations at Wells Fargo (account No. 5839-878641).

For more information, contact Steven Lee at 682-0826.

'Erocktica'

"Greg Thompson's Erocktica Live! Sex, Sweat & Rock 'n' Roll," premieres at the Rio on Feb. 18.

Performances are at 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays (dark Tuesdays) in the Scinta Theatre.

Tickets for the late-night, topless show are $49.95. Guests receive two beers with every full-price ticket purchased. All tickets purchased receive free admission to VooDoo Lounge or Club Rio immediately following the show (Sundays through Wednesdays, VooDoo; Thursdays through Saturdays, Club Rio).

Thompson produced the topless "Showgirls" at the Rio. The production closed last year. He and choreographer Mistinguett produce "Skintight," a topless show at Harrah's.

About "Erocktica," Thompson said, "We want audiences to see and hear something fresh, fun and provocative, and this show promises just that.

"This is not pretty boy, showgirl rock n' roll and it is definitely not sexy acrobats ... This show is in-your-face, MTV-style classic rock 'n' roll and it's going to be hot."

Blue Man scores

Blue Man Group and composer John Powell have collaborated on his score for the upcoming 20th Century Fox animated film "Robots," which will premiere March 6 in Los Angeles, followed by a nationwide opening March 11.

Members of Blue Man will attend the gala premiere in L.A.

The "Robots" soundtrack will be released March 1 on Virgin Records, and the original motion picture score will be released by Varese Sarabande on March 15.

A spokesman for Blue Man described the film as a "three-dimensional world ... populated solely by mechanical beings."

"Blue Man Group, through its stylized percussion, brings the metal world of Robot City to life by creating over 25 new metal percussion instruments specifically to accent the score."

The film features the voices of Robin Williams, Greg Kinnear, Mel Brooks and Drew Carey, among others.

Alzheimer's benefit

Saturday's 9th Annual Keep Memory Alive benefit for Alzheimer's research will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction and cocktails in the new Spa Tower at the Bellagio.

Dinner and entertainment begin at 7 p.m.

The benefit will honor Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte and feature performances by Lionel Richie and Cirque du Soleil.

Robin Leach and Ed McMahon will co-host the live auction.

"Each of these events over the past eight years has been special," said Larry Ruvo, Senior Managing Director of Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada. "This year, honoring Guy, who has led Las Vegas and the world in transcending entertainment, and knowing that construction on our facility begins shortly, will make for a remarkable night."

Funds are being raised for the Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Center, a 35,000-square-foot treatment and research center to be built on a 61-acre downtown development.

Hosts for the event will include Ruvo, Bobby Baldwin, Maddy Graves and Kenny Epstein.

Donna Baldwin and Camille Ruvo are event chairpersons.

Nominees accepted

Nominations are now being accepted for the George Sidney Award and induction into the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame. The nominations will be accepted through March 30.

The George Sidney Award is given annually to honor individuals in all areas of the arts and entertainment including, but not limited to, dance, music, architecture, comedy, art, theatre, film and writing.

The award was named for legendary director Sidney, who was the first inductee into the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame last year.

All nominations will be reviewed by the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, which will select a group of individuals to be reviewed by the Dean's Advisory Board for final selection.

To request a nomination form, e-mail Wendy Nelson at [email protected] .edu or call 895-4292.

The next Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame award ceremony will be held Sept. 29.

Vegas views

"Legends In Concert" at the Imperial Palace has a new cast of artists for the start of 2005.

The new cast includes tributes to Janet Jackson (portrayed by Karin Lawson) and Stevie Wonder (Bobby Brooks).

Joining Jackson and Wonder are the Righteous Brothers (Gene Sironen and Doug Masters), Gloria Estefan (Michelle Rohl) and Rod Stewart (John Anthony). The show finale will be by Elvis Presley (Matt Lewis).

Comedians Cort McCown and Paul Hughes present and host the "Hollywood Comedy Tour " at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Palms.

Bobby Lee of "MADtv" and Tom Papa of the failed NBC sitcom "Come to Papa" will be the featured comedians.

Kalapana, one of Hawaii's most popular bands, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Sam's Town Live!

The group, which mixes traditional Hawaiian sounds with contemporary music, has been together for 30 years.

Tickets for Kalapana start at $20.

Funk and R&B artist Rudy Love and the Love Family Band will perform at Sam's Town Live! at 10 p.m. today.

Tickets are $10.

Las Vegas native Alicia Hall is one of the three finalists in NBC's six-week reality television show "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search."

Filming of the series began in Los Angeles on Jan. 5.

Hall auditioned for the show in August during a local audition sponsored by her talent manager, John Robert Powers modeling school owner Kim Flowers.

Hall is a graduate of Rancho High School and has been a John Robert Powers student for five years.

The final episode revealing the winner of the competition will air prior to the launch of the 2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which will be on newsstands Tuesday.

The winner will receive a $1 million dollar modeling contract with Next Model Management.

The show airs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

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