The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast | a podcast by Ira Sternberg

This week, Ira spoke with Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling, headlining in the A Stars Comedy Show at the Ahern Luxury Boutique Hotel, October 10-12. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Jackie talks about why there’s nothing better than an “elevator gig”; his long history with Las Vegas; his success with Cameo; what makes him laugh; his famous dirty joke line; why he’s all about the laugh, not being mean; how he had no intention of being a comedian; why he stumbled into comedy; his two different skill sets (telling jokes and writing jokes on the fly for Howard Stern); why he answers all of his emails; and, of course, his famous laugh. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

This week, Ira spoke with Rudy Sarzo and Alex Grossi from Quiet Riot, performing Oc-tober 5 in the M Pavilion at The M Resort. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Rudy and Alex talk about the genesis of heavy metal; the beginning of Quiet Riot; why the band is focused on the “now” and the near future; the new documentary (and certain video games) that has helped remind people of the band’s history; the “con-sciousness” of the band; proving themselves in every single show; respecting the stage; why the band gets along; how “meet-and-greets” are important to connect with the audience; why they represent the legacy of the band 24/7; capturing the sound from the Randy Rhoads era to the “Metal Health” era; and why the fans enjoy the genre, not just the band.

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This week, Ira spoke with LA-based jazz pianist, vocalist, educator, composer and recording artist John Proulx, who performs at Vic's Las Vegas September 27-28. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” John talks about learning to play by ear; why he loved jazz from an early age, but also folk music; how his early piano lessons were more boogie-woogie; how he liked to improvise; his definition of jazz; why growing up around music does influence you; how his daughter “hipped” him to Brazilian music; why he obtained his academic credentials in music and why he felt it was important to achieve it; his association with PianowithJonny.com, a subscription-based piano teaching site; how writing with Melisa Manchester was a career highlight for him; how jazz vocalist are more conversational (the story, the tone is different as well); the jazz influences of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett; how Nat “King” Cole was one of his first musical idols; the importance of quality in jazz; and his favorite jazz song. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

This week, Ira spoke with Paul Rodriguez, headlining in the A Stars Comedy Show at the Ahern Luxury Boutique Hotel, September 16. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Paul talks about his beginnings in show business; growing in comedy; who was responsible for pointing him to performing as a professional comedian; what makes you laugh; the “rantings of an old guy”; his friendship with Cesar Chavez; the first time he performed in Las Vegas; the influence of Freddie Prinze; getting into the Air Force; his new movie, "Holy Cash"; what he loved to do for his parents; and his son, Paul Martin Rodriguez Jr. also known by his nickname P-Rod, an American professional street skateboarder and actor. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

This week, Ira spoke with Peter Laufer, author (along with Sheila Swan) of "Neon Nevada," who will be having a book signing for the updated and expanded edition of his book at the Neon Museum, September 7. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Peter talks about how he and his wife first met above a neon sign; what started the couple on their journey of writing a book on the subject; the merging of neon as high and low art; the magic of the light with its flicker, glow, colors and messages; why neon is ideal for drawing attention; why it was in jeopardy; why the new and expanded edition not only shows the historical neon, but also what’s out there now; the joy of walking through the Neon Museum; challenges for existing historical signs; gases and images in motion; the tube benders (craftsman and artists); its commercial value; “Neon means Nevada”; his favorite piece in the Neon Museum; and the future of neon.

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This week, Ira spoke with professional gambler, author and publisher Anthony Curtis, CEO of Huntington Press and the Las Vegas Advisor, a Las Vegas consumer newsletter. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Anthony talks about leaving UCLA to move to Las Vegas and pursuing opportunities; beginning his career in Las Vegas and get-ting into the business originally as a player and then publisher; trying to stay on top of the gaming wave; technology as a double-edged sword; deciding on a subscription-based Las Vegas Advisor; working with a small but great staff; his favorite compliments; why he is not beholden to the casinos; his induction into the Blackjack Hall of Fame; dealing with a new generation of marketing executives; the return of the shrimp cocktail (?); the greatest high-end casino on the Strip; and the future of Las Vegas.(Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

This week, Ira spoke with Mike Dawes, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center, August 17. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Mike talks about when he knew the guitar would become his life; why he loves the free-styling method; how his guitar playing brings his music into a more “contemporary realm”; how he worked on projects in Las Vegas; why he uses humor in the show and makes his performance an immersive show; the British guitar invasion; the social connection with music; how we have lost our attention span; his new album Galactic Acid; the importance of “Cloud Catcher,” his lead tune; his love of vinyl; why he records his albums in a castle; why producer Josh Clark is his “third hand”; why he loves performing live shows; how he “mics” his acoustic guitar; and his “rock show” using one guitar. (Photo by Sham Hinchey) (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

This week, Ira spoke with Steve Gadd, who (along with The Grammy®-winning Steve Gadd Band) will be performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center August 10. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Steve talks about not remembering when he never played drums; his move to Las Vegas; how he got into studio work; what works in the studio vs. live performing; his experience working with Frank Sinatra; why his ears go to the drums when listening to music; how his creativity was increased during COVID; writing Gaddiments, a book about the rudiments of drumming; always learning; how the industry keeps evolving; the joy of performing with his son; and doing more live playing than recording. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

This week, Ira spoke with San Francisco based saxophonist, composer, recording artist, and educator Jason Hainsworth, performing with his quintet at Vic’s Las Vegas (August 2-3 at 7 and 8:30.) In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Jason talks about the “efficient” reason why he started playing the saxophone; how he became a band “nerd”; how he started to listen to more jazz music; learning “tricks of the trade”; the influence of legendary jazz educator Ellis Marsalis and saxophonist Victor Goines; the camaraderie of jazz musicians; balancing between performing and musical education; his role as a teacher; working hard but still having fun; how performing jazz is “crafted chaos”; and why the “Great American Songbook” is part of the DNA of jazz. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

This week, Ira spoke with Chef Alicia Shevetone (founder), and Librarian Dr. Nichole Beer (curator), who launch America's first cookbook lending library in Las Vegas August 2. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” the dynamic duo talk about their new project, which will be based inside Palate Las Vegas, in downtown Las Vegas; how the books are curated (collection will be separated by geography); how they developed a circulation system; why they want to take this idea on the road; defining patron usage; how the lending library was certified by the American Library Association; why libraries and library collections are living organisms, which need to be tended to (weeding and planting to keep them alive); how this is a free resource for the community with a leap of faith; and why even though this is for the Las Vegas community, they want visitors to take back the idea to their hometowns. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)