Turner on the rebound in Las Vegas

Thursday, March 30, 2006 | 6:35 a.m.

Earl Turner should not have to work so hard to entertain his fans, but then he wouldn't be Earl Turner.

The dynamic performer has returned to Las Vegas after a sojourn to New Orleans that was filled with fortune - good and bad.

He had his own showroom at Harrah's in the Big Easy, where he debuted in 2004 - after more than 15 years of performing in Las Vegas and Laughlin.

His wife and children were settling into their new home, their new community.

The world was wonderful.

Then last August Hurricane Katrina turned the Turner world upside down.

Their home was destroyed.

The casino closed temporarily (though it was not heavily damaged).

New Orleans became a ghost town.

Turner brought his family back to the city where he carved out a name for himself performing at such venues as the Rio.

He enrolled his children in school.

And he set about rebuilding his life.

"My contract with Harrah's was canceled because of Hurricane Katrina," Turner said. "I didn't know what the future might bring, I just knew I needed to put my children in school."

Seven months after the storm tore up the newly planted roots of Turner and his family, the roots are regrowing in the desert.

On March 2, Turner began an open-ended engagement at Palace Station's 250-seat Sound Trax.

Joining him is his 17-year-old son, Aaron, a smooth dancer with aspirations of a show business career.

And in this age of taped backup music, Turner has a six-piece band that includes drummer Curtis Wilson, saxophonist Al Robinson, keyboardist/vocalist Walter Cunningham, trombonist/arranger Steve Meyer, lead guitarist/vocalist Rich Taylor and trumpeter Eldred Ahlo.

"I want to regain my base here in Las Vegas," said the affable entertainer, whose energized shows include everything from R&B to country.

He isn't deterred by Palace Station's location, on West Sahara Avenue at Rancho Drive.

"We're going to draw tourists to the property," Turner said with his characteristic optimism.

The room is smaller than Turner deserves. His talent matches that of many Strip performers, and with the right marketing he should be a huge draw.

His stage is small, but, again Turner looks at the positive.

"It's easier to go from one side to the other," he said.

Although he jokes about aging during his performance, he doesn't seem to have lost any of his vigor nor his enthusiasm for pleasing his fans.

During the show he jumps off the stage and walks through the audience, shaking hands, touching shoulders, connecting with loyal followers and newcomers.

"Mainly my show is about the audience and having a good time," Turner said. "But it's still about old-school music.

"It's a lot of fun for me to do."

And fun for the fans to watch.