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

This week, Ira spoke with Don Logan, President & Chief Operations Officer for the Las Vegas Aviators®, professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics and 2019 Pacific Southern Division Champions. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Logan talks about the impact of the coronavirus on baseball and general life in Las Vegas; how baseball as America’s pastime will resume after the current crisis; how the new Las Vegas Stadium has made an impact in the community; and the possibility of major league baseball coming to Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with John Katsilometes, the man-about-town whose column (KATS) runs daily in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Kats talks about how entertainers are relaunching themselves in new platforms since the closing of resorts and casinos; how he covers the town with shuttered venues (and offering his unique Vegas KatsWalk, covering the near-empty Las Vegas Strip); developing rapport with entertainers through skills formed in the smaller communities he grew up in; the challenges for Las Vegas entertainers who are primarily “gig” employees; and the future of entertainment once the showrooms and lounges reopen.

This week, Ira spoke with Jonathan Ullman, President & CEO of The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement in Downtown Las Vegas. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Ullman talks about the origins of the museum and why Las Vegas is the perfect spot for highlighting the war between the mob and law enforcement; how the museum is set up to offer both ongoing exhibits and a host of interactive features, as well as lectures and panel discussions; the development of its online presence (important during the duration of the Coronavirus); fascinating and unforgettable guests, including mobsters and uncover agents; and the global impact of the museum on Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with Rob McCoy, president & CEO of the Neon Museum. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, McCoy talks about the importance of preserving neon and the history of the museum; the impact of the Tim Burton Exhibition at the museum (boosting membership, generating national media interest and becoming the most significant art exhibition in the history of Las Vegas); deciding on criteria for which signs are going to be lit next (historical importance and affordability); future plans, including expansion across the street from the main building; and virtual features now available on the museum website while the Coronavirus keeps the museum temporarily closed.

This week, Ira spoke with songwriter-producer and lecturer Steve Barri. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Barri talks about growing up loving music; coming out west and meeting Lou Adler; writing and producing hits (including for many solo and musical group acts who have performed in Las Vegas); finding music for artists as an A&R man; why songs are not disposable; his most valuable copyright; revitalizing Motown; and the challenge of working with a particular singer who didn’t think her voice was up to par (and it was!)

This week, Ira spoke with Singer/Songwriter Vonda Shepard, performing in Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center March 20-21 at 7 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Shepard talks about her biggest break, which was “Ally McBeal”; how she started writing songs at age eight, while being an introverted and creative child; the dual challenges of inspiration and grind; why she has three of her albums on vinyl; how “You Belong To Me” runs true and deep for her; why her voice is known as a soul voice; what guiding words she received from Jackson Browne; and the one thing that keeps her going.

This week, Ira spoke with tenor Paul Byrom, performing in Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center March 14 at 7 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Byrom talks about singing as a soprano as a kid and recording his first album at age 14; why he sees himself as a classic crossover artist; why he refuses to be pigeonholed as a performer; why he retains his roots in Ireland while performing all over the world; the importance of social media; and why he keeps fit (including running in the New York Marathon!).

This week, Ira spoke with Gordie Brown, starring in “Lasting Impressions” at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brown talks about how Rich Little became his mentor; why the first impression that he learned was Elvis (and how he thought Elvis was an actor who sang); how in five months, he learned 50 impressions; the dearth of distinct voices to work off in today’s world; why entertainment magic is created within a scripted show through improv based on audience reaction; why there are impressions he sometimes uses and stops using; the importance (or non-importance) of props when performing impressions; and why it’s important for all performers to have someone around them who is not a “yes” person.

This week, Ira spoke with Mike Reno, lead singer of Lover Boy, performing at the Orleans Showroom February 29 at 8 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Reno talks about how the group was named; his long-term relationship with Paul Dean; the group’s responsibility to the songs; the secret to keeping the band going; the immortality of their songs; and why they respect the music.

This week, Ira spoke with Dweezil Zappa, performing Hot Rats Live! Plus other hot stuff 1969 at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, February 20. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Zappa talks about father, Frank Zappa, and his unique musical approach; how is music from song to song and album to album is so differnt; how his father used the technology of the time to create unusual sounds; why he took on the project of presenting his father’s music; the challenge of making the live experience like the record, but yet have room for improvisation; and why music needs to be valued again.