Entertainment dollar goes a long way at Ovation Lounge

LEILA NAVIDI / LAS VEGAS SUN file

Michael Grimm, who started singing in Mississippi, plays rock, soul and blues music at Green Valley Ranch. Grimm has been able to maintain a steady income in Las Vegas, but he dreams of making it big in Nashville as a country music singer.

By Jerry Fink

Thursday, April 30, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Michael Grimm is part of the eclectic mix of entertainment that keeps the Ovation showroom at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino hopping.

For those with a death grip on their entertainment dollars, many shows — including Grimm’s — are free.

Grimm is not to be missed if you like great blues.

His band performs at Ovation at 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and he moves inside Hank’s Steakhouse at the casino on other nights.

When he isn’t performing at Green Valley Ranch he’s working on recording projects or touring with the likes of Heart and the Doobie Brothers.

At a time when many local musicians are scrambling for gigs, Grimm’s plate is full.

“I do work,” he says. “I’m very fortunate. I’m actually able to give musicians work, which sometimes means doing without a little money for myself to pay for them.”

He recently worked with producers T. Bone Burnett, who won four Grammys for the soundtrack to “O Brother Where Art Thou?” and Michael Campbell, guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Grimm has been a Vegas fixture for nine years, a hidden jewel sometimes overlooked by fans.

He began as a country singer in rural Mississippi, encouraged by his grandmother, who played piano for the local Baptist church. His tastes evolved from country to Southern soul, which led to tours with B.B. King and others.

Grimm hasn’t totally abandoned his country roots. He keeps knocking on Nashville’s door. He says he’ll be there again in a few weeks working on a recording project. “I don’t like to talk about it in advance,” he says. “It might jinx it.”

It may be hard to put a jinx on this talented singer and guitarist.

While he travels the country pursuing opportunities, Vegas is home.

“I make money here. That’s why I’ve been here as long as I have,” he says. “I’m taking it as it comes, staying here, trying to make a little cash and still do other things, trying to get noticed.

“I just want people to hear my music. I need that chance to reach out to people. It’s a struggle, but Vegas gives me that opportunity.”