Jerry Fink

Story Archive

Drummer wants to take edge off blues: Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Smooth jazz found its niche in the music world.
Now drummer Larry “Wild” Wrice wants to create another new genre, “smooth blues.”
Club taking its humor up Strip to the Sahara: Proprietor thinks venue’s history is a good match for his show; Monday, July 20, 2009; After almost 20 years at the south end of the Strip, the Comedy Stop will try its luck at the north end.
Jazz Connection is widow's link to spouse's work: Friday, July 17, 2009; Memo to Myron Martin of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts: f you’re looking for a resident orchestra when the center opens in 2012, the Las Vegas Jazz Connection is available. “We think we’re the perfect entity for the performing arts center,” says Carolyn Freeman, a 74-year-old bundle of energy who created the Las Vegas Jazz Connection.
'Piano Follies' returns to the Suncoast: Thursday, July 16, 2009; Back by popular demand, “Leonard: Piano Follies” returns to the Suncoast for a three-day run July 24-26.
Leading the lion’s den: The man who orchestrates the music of ‘The Lion King’; Thursday, July 16, 2009; The orchestra pit beneath “The Lion King’s” stage is a dark, cramped space where 21 musicians sit shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip, performing for a show they can’t see.
Experts talk on the state of jazz in Las Vegas: Jazz symposium evokes comments about saving jazz as art form; Wednesday, July 15, 2009; During a symposium earlier this year, a panel of experts spoke on the fate of jazz in Las Vegas.
Jazz struggling to find a place: Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Marsha K. Ross is waging a one-woman campaign to keep live jazz alive. The vocalist hosts jazz concerts, featuring a rotating lineup of artists, at the Black Label lounge on Saturday afternoons.
New location on Strip suits ‘Menopause the Musical’: Tuesday, July 14, 2009; Alan Glist has almost perfect pitch when it comes to choosing musicals.
His music, like his hometown, draws from several cultures: Monday, July 13, 2009; Twenty-three years ago, guitarist Ottmar Liebert stopped in Santa Fe, N.M., to rest for a couple of weeks after a grueling concert tour. He never left. The 50-year-old native of Cologne, Germany, is a one-man melting pot.
Leopard being groomed for her debut in show business: Thursday, July 9, 2009; The latest member of magician Dirk Arthur’s cast is waiting in the wings, a cute and cuddly female who will wear nothing but a collar when she makes her debut at the Tropicana. Well, not in the wings exactly. The 10-week-old black leopard is being introduced to show business at the magician’s animal habitat.
‘Cuchi-cuchi’ returns to Las Vegas: The guitar-wielding, singularly named Charo begins a five-month engagement at Riviera; Thursday, July 9, 2009; What’s Las Vegas without a little “cuchi-cuchi”? t’s been almost four years since Charo last headlined a show here, getting the town shaking with her unrestrained energy. The Latin dynamo returns Friday to start a five-month engagement at the Riviera.
Artifact heralds career in pop: Gig promoted in ad helped launch performer who sang ‘Love Boat’ theme song, will land here again this week; Wednesday, July 8, 2009; An ad in an old Las Vegas newspaper, turning yellow with age, bears witness to the beginning of the long, illustrious singing career of Jack Jones.
No longer in many casinos, lounge entertainment lives in bar: Tuesday, July 7, 2009; Longtime Vegas lounge entertainer Howie Gold has a theory.
SRO plays Eastside Cannery this weekend: Monday, July 6, 2009; The dynamic show band SRO explodes onto the stage this weekend Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, at the Eastside Cannery.
'Praise' returns to the South Point: Monday, July 6, 2009; “Praise,” the gospel musical created by Grammy winner Larry Hart, is returning to the South Point after receiving much praise following its premiere at the resort in March.
Gospel show coming back to South Point: Monday, July 6, 2009; “Praise,” the gospel musical created by Grammy winner Larry Hart, is returning to South Point after receiving much praise following its premiere at the resort in March.
Strip performer is eBay high bidder for Elvis ring: Saturday, July 4, 2009; Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee, who performs at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Casino on the Strip, was eBay’s high bidder this week for a ring designed by Elvis Presley.
Don’t expect to get a peek at latest ‘Peepshow’ star: Friday, July 3, 2009; The two newest additions to “Peepshow” — former Playboy model Holly Madison and Broadway star Shoshana Bean — are sharp contrasts.
Face you might know from TV to appear onstage: Wednesday, July 1, 2009; Comedian Billy Gardell is fed up with living in Los Angeles and plans to move — just as soon as the work runs out.
'Men of X' is newest addition to former showgirl’s skindustry: Tuesday, June 30, 2009; Angela Stabile knows how to turn a profit with bare skin.
Vegas pianist wows Imelda Marcos: Friday, June 26, 2009; David Osborne sometimes bills himself as the “Pianist to the Presidents.” After a recent trip to the Philippines he might add “and to First Ladies.”
Magician's new act a bit more revealing than a typical show: Friday, June 26, 2009; Red-haired magician Scarlett will launch a provocative new production Wednesday at the Riviera. It will feature more than pulling rabbits out of a hat and sawing someone in half. The "Princess of Magic" will be backed by a bevy of topless dancers in the adult version of her act, directed by Las Vegas choreographer Bobby Boling.
Nashville's Bluebird Café gives a musical cue to Green Valley Ranch: Thursday, June 25, 2009; Taking a musical cue from the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville, the Green Valley Ranch’s Ovation lounge is launching Nashville Unplugged.
Five Vegas theaters to get broadcast of 'Forever Plaid' from L.A. theater: Thursday, June 25, 2009; Welcome to the 21st Century, where technology allows almost anyone to do almost anything.
Entertainers play benefit for lupus group at TI: Thursday, June 25, 2009; An evening of lighthearted entertainment will be held Saturday at Treasure Island for a very serious cause – lupus.
Jamming just like it’s Old Vegas: Thursday, June 25, 2009; Musicians and fans begin arriving early at El Cortez for the weekly Huck Daniels Celebrity Jam Session.
Performer’s blues nothing if not authentic: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; The last five years have been tough for Louisiana bluesman Kenny Neal.
'Rock Cabaret’ returns to Liberace Museum: Friday, June 19, 2009; The a cappella group Mosaic will be among the entertainers performing in a late night revue Sunday at the Liberace Museum.
Chicago’s secret’s out: Upper U.S. Showband plays Fitzgerald’s: Friday, June 19, 2009; The Upper U. S. Showband is so popular in Chicago, where it has played off and on for about 45 years, it doesn’t advertise its gigs.

“It’s a Chicago staple,” says 'Defending the Caveman’ star Kevin Burke, who once played drums for the 12-piece band. “They perform in secret locations, known only to their fans – their fan base is so strong that’s the way they prefer to do it.”
Before smashing success, there was Vegas: Friday, June 19, 2009; It’s been almost five years since Gallagher smashed a watermelon in Las Vegas. The 62-year-old prop comic brings his Sledge-O-Matic to Boulder Station on Saturday.
Gatlin, with brothers, back where career started: Thursday, June 18, 2009; Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have decided to come out of semiretirement and rejoin the working world.
Larry King: From CNN to the Encore stage: Wednesday, June 17, 2009; The unmistakably resonant voice of Larry King came on the phone. He had 15 minutes to talk about his upcoming show at the Encore Theater before he was needed back in the CNN radio studio in Los Angeles to talk to several country music stars, among them Tanya Tucker, Gretchen Wilson and Dierks Bentley.
‘Vocal Soup’ to be an organic blend of styles and performers: Wednesday, June 17, 2009; “Vocal Soup” seemed like a natural title for an upcoming concert at the Suncoast featuring four diverse talents — Susan Anton, Clint Holmes, Domenick Allen and Martin Nievera. Either that or “Beauty and the Beasts.”
Meet Ron White’s funny longtime drinking buddy: Monday, June 15, 2009; Friends for 20 years, comics Alex Reymundo and Ron White have become practically inseparable.
Rock singer had window on showbiz in Vegas’ prime: Friday, June 12, 2009; Third Eye Blind guitarist and vocalist Tony Fredianelli’s roots in Las Vegas run deep. Son of legendary lounge performer Ron Fredianelli, Tony moved to town at age 4 and was quickly immersed in the local entertainment scene.
Cheap Trick to play the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper' live at Hilton: Technology helps bring landmark 1967 album to live concert stage; Thursday, June 11, 2009; It took almost 40 years but technology finally caught up with the Beatles. In 1967 the legendary group released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” a definitive album that was said could not be produced live.
For Bobby Vinton, old big-band sound is new again: Thursday, June 11, 2009; Bobby Vinton a rap star?
“Roses Are Red,” Bobby Vinton? “Sealed With a Kiss,” Bobby Vinton? That Bobby Vinton? A rap artist?
Blues musician Glenn Patrik talks about his songs: Guitarist/vocalist to have album release party June 19 for 'Nuthin' but a Thang!'; Wednesday, June 10, 2009; A release party for blues guitarist/vocalist Glenn Patrik’s latest album “Nuthin’ but a Thang!” will be held at 10 p.m. June 19, at King Tut’s Pub and Poker in Las Vegas.
Engelbert Humperdinck: Heavy workload hasn’t aged or slowed ‘King of Romance’: Wednesday, June 10, 2009; Engelbert Humperdinck may be a little vain about his good looks and his vocal cords, which seem to be as soothing today as they were when he burst to international stardom in 1967 with the release of “Release Me.”
Tribute band Adbacadabra’s agent signed real ABBA: Tuesday, June 9, 2009; Jerry Greenberg has worked with some of the biggest names in the music business. He was just 32 when he was named president of Atlantic Records in 1974 — the youngest head of a major record label.
Joan Rivers impersonator gets divas together for Anthem show: Monday, June 8, 2009; Not working can be a drag, so Joan Rivers tribute artist Frank Marino is pulling out the sequined gowns, blond wigs and high heels and heading for a stage in Anthem, 20 miles from where he performed for 24 years on the Strip in “La Cage.”
Magician Rick Thomas aborts tour to play Sahara: Monday, June 8, 2009; After spending months planning a North American tour, magician Rick Thomas decided there’s no place like home.
Allen and Blackwell cruise home for South Point gig: Monday, June 8, 2009; After two years at sea, more or less, Marty Allen and Karon Kate Blackwell have docked at South Point for a two-day engagement Friday and Saturday.
Entertainer says he’s exporting Vegas to the rest of the country: White tigers in tow, magician Rick Thomas will tour U.S. and Canada through summer; Thursday, June 4, 2009; If America isn’t coming to Vegas, magician Rick Thomas — known for his white tiger co-stars — is taking Vegas to America.
Carlos Santana, headliner at The Joint at Hard Rock: Thursday, June 4, 2009; Carlos Santana has settled into his residency at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Jazz saxophonist Sam Butera dies: Musician made mark with Louis Prima in Las Vegas; Wednesday, June 3, 2009; Another link to Las Vegas’ storied past was cut Wednesday morning with the passing of legendary jazz saxophonist Sam Butera, sideman to another Vegas legend, Louis Prima. Family friends said Butera died at about 6 a.m. at Sunrise Hospital, where he had been since early January suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's Disease.
Passion to perform still propels Julio Iglesias: Wednesday, June 3, 2009; Passion drives Julio Iglesias.
“I’m a young guy in my brain and in my heart,” the 65-year-old romantic says from his part-time home in Miami. “Passion moves everything, including mountains. Even in the worst occasions, if you have even a little flame of passion you will survive. Life has given me passion for everything.”
Out to revive a locals joint: ‘Troubleshooter’ wants to restore bar to a haven for dancers, gamblers, eventually diners; Wednesday, June 3, 2009; “I’m becoming like a troubleshooter,” Turan "Turk" Atilla says. “I don’t want to take over a successful operation. If you do you pay top price and you will only lose. The best you can do is keep it going. The only way to go is down. This way I get into it for less money and the only way to go is up.”
For trio of stand-ups, Erin go bragh meets Erin go Ha!: Tuesday, June 2, 2009; They may not have the brogue, but they have the ancestry — and the Irish humor. The Irish Comedy Tour, which features three comedians whose parents and grandparents came from Ireland, comes to the Bonkerz Comedy Club this weekend.
Want to join Santana in ‘residence’ at The Joint? You better have an album in the all-time top 100: Monday, June 1, 2009; Carlos Santana is not the only superstar who will have a steady headlining gig at The Joint at the Hard Rock.
AEG Live, the mega-entertainment company that put together the rotating star system at the Colosseum, is actively looking for one or two more headliners to join Santana in the same vein as Cher, Bette Midler and Elton John at Caesars Palace.