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

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Hollywood legend Ruta Lee, who has written her memoir, “Consider Your Ass Kissed" (released through Briton Publishing). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lee talks about her first movie job (which she says she got either due to polka or her mother’s prayers; bringing her grandmother to America from the Soviet Union (and the lesson she learned about not being afraid to try the wildest thing in the world to achieve what you need; her strong work ethic; why she always likes keeping the flame of glamour burning in Hollywood; whether Hollywood is real or not; the four people who impressed her the most in Hollywood (Frank Sinatra; Phyllis Diller; Charles Laughton, and Clint Eastwood; why humor has disappeared in America; and why she had a long and successful marriage in Hollywood.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Comedian Vicki Barbolak, headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas May 27-30. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Vicki talks about her late start in comedy and why her act stems from her life experience; why she’s grateful to be in comedy; the best career advice she ever received (and it came from comedian Vinnie Favorito); why she enjoys performing on tour (in Hollywood they get nervous about your age); the amazing story of getting a hug from Howie Mandell; how she was one of the last comics to come under the wing of Mitzi Shore of The Comedy Store; and why she loves the trailer life!

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Jonathan Karrant, who along with Joshua White, will be performing in his “Shadows Fall” Album Release Show at the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Theater, May 27-28. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Karrant talks about knowing his future in show business from age five or six; how his grandparents turned him on to the great American songbook; how he didn’t pick jazz - jazz picked him; why he delights in bringing obscure songs to his audience; the advice he received that “it’s not about you, it’s about the audience”; his collaboration with pianist Joshua White; why live music is healing; the energy between the audience and live music; and a shout out to the legendary pianist Vinnie Falcone, who was the former musical director for Frank Sinatra.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with impressionist/comedian Gordie Brown, starring in “Lasting Impressions” at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brown talks about his journey from from Canadian political cartoonist to Las Vegas impressionist-comedian; how the lightbulb went off as he performed as the lead in “West Sidc Story” and he knew he wanted a life as a performer; how the second lightbulb went off, confirming his choice due to a fortuitous encounter with Rich Little; the satisfaction of moving an audience with performance; his most fun impression; and the hardest impression; and why he keeps “Elvis hours.”

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with magician David Goldrake, “The International Man of Mystery,” currently performing a 65-minute magical spectacle at Notoriety Live, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Goldrake talks about discovering magic at age eight and using it to validate his existence as a child; why magic is a meritocracy; why he calls himself the “International Man of Mystery”; how he combines American show business with European flair; overcoming obstacles on the road to success; the factor of “staying ready” as opposed to “being ready”; why touch is important in magic and why he seeks a connection with each audience; why magic needs to be tangible; how his goal is to have one single heartbeat at the end of the show; why a magician’s skill is to hide the skill; balancing the art and the business; and what his biggest weakness is.

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This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Melinda Sheckels, editorial director of OnTheStrip com and OffTheStrip com. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Sheckells talks about her reporting and editing career in Las Vegas; switching her beat from housing to nightlife and entertainment; how the city is gearing up for the post COVID world; why she thrives on news and the fact that there’s no “off” switch in Las Vegas; how OnTheStrip com and OffTheStrip com became two of Las Vegas’ first all-digital news sources; the future success here in sports and live events; how social media has changed the way that visitors look at the city; and her favorite Las Vegas experience.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with singer, composer, conductor, arranger, and record producer Charles Calello. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Calello talks about working with Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons; why he first took direction when he began his career from Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio; what keeps the creative process going; his long history of writing arrangements (starting when he was 16 and continuing into his 83rd year); his experience working with Sinatra; how recording styles have changed; why the creative process is both laborious and heart warming; why writers should “speak” from the heart and get joy from it; and his first time in Las Vegas (calling home for more money!

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Ken Henderson, CEO of the Best Agency talent company and the man behind Notoriety Live at Fremont Street’s Neonopolis in Downtown Las Vegas. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Henderson talks about concept of Notoriety Live, a long-time dream of his; how a past association made it all possible; how it is being marketed as a destination venue; the reaction of downtown Las Vegas casinos to the new kid on the block; why he was able to keep the venue open during Covid; and how it has attracted performers from both Las Vegas and across the nation.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Chris Ruggiero, performing at the Italian American Club April 18. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Ruggiero talks about growing up and falling in love with Doo-wop instead of the contemporary music of his time; his decision to perform music not of his generation because of the impact he has on an audience when performing music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s; his national PBS television appearance performing with The Duprees; meeting and working with Clint Holmes; and recording his new CD double album.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with comedian Kira Soltanovich, who is headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas April 8-11. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Soltanovich talks about her unusual background; how parents know how to raise an artist; selling the naming of her baby as a fundraising idea (you won’t believe the name!); what a male comic would not be asked; the comedy condo experience; why there will be tears of joy when she comes to Las Vegas to perform; why she left comedy for awhile; and her favorite Las Vegas story (Carrot Top, are you listening?).