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

Gary Patterson, President of Shelby American, the company responsible for the Cobra, Shelby Mustang and Ford GT 40 cars that changed the face of auto racing in the 1960s, joins me now on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” posted at https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/talking-with-gary-patterson-july-22-2019/ and on iTunes, https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-las-vegas-with-ira/id1455252464

Patterson talks about his own history with the company, working with Carrol Shelby, the only man to win championships as a driver, manufacturer and team leader; Shelby’s vision for the company and his ability to look ahead to the next project; why the company decided to move to Nevada and then located adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip; their focus on cars, trucks and performance machines that people want; and why the company is run by car people.

Tom Cotter (first comedian to ever reach the finals of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”), performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio through July 21, joins me on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” now posted at https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/talking-with-tom-cotter-july-15-2019/ and also on iTunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-las-vegas-with-ira/id1455252464

Cotter talks about his increased exposure from appearing on “America’s Got Talent”; the challenges of performing comedy in a politically correct culture; his successful 18-year marriage to fellow comedian Kerri Louise; his many appearances in Las Vegas; and his style of comedy, what he calls, “Boston-style rapid fire misdirection.”

This week, Ira talked with Scott Roeben, creator of vitalvegas.com. Roeben talks about the incredible growth of his Vegas-centric website based on the consolidation of the media in Las Vegas; breaking scoops and dealing with an antiquated casino public relations model; how technology challenges the conventional narrative; the subjects that are not covered in a “company” town; and why, despite everything, he loves living, working and talking about Las Vegas!

Magician Mac King, who performs in the Mac King Comedy Show at Harrah’s Las Vegas (Tuesdays through Saturdays at 1 p.m & 3 p.m.), talks about his amazing 20-year engagement at Harrah’s (talk about a residency!); his lifelong friendship with Master Magician Lance Burton; his decision to move to Las Vegas and have a normal life in show business (thanks to afternoon showtimes); his approach to magic and comedy; and why his show appeals to a wide demographic.

This week, Ira spoke with director Chris Buddy, whose new documentary, INSIDE THE EDGE: A PROFESSIONAL BLACKJACK ADVENTURE, looks at the world's elite professional blackjack players who have beaten casinos for millions of dollars while trying to evade casino surveillance and local law enforcement.

This week, Ira spoke (up in the air, 5,000 feet above Las Vegas in a Cirrus SR22) with Paul Sallach, founder and president of All In Aviation, a Las Vegas-based flight school. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Sallach talks about the joys and freedom of flying your own plane or jet; the unique qualities of Cirrus Aircraft; the stunning views of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam; the technological advances in the industry; and the development of his 26-hanger complex across from the Raiders practice facility.

This week, Ira spoke with Kirk Peterson, Import and Fine Wine Specialist for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Nevada. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Peterson talks about about Las Vegas as a unique market for wine, stemming from a combination of visitors and locals; how the Internet has increased the popularity and knowledge of wine; his role as an advocate for imported wine, especially from Italy; language challenges from imported wine labels; why it’s rare to find bad wine anymore; and the ongoing debate on the cork continuum.

The classically trained pianist, born in Pelham, New York, idolized Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and Sam Cook. Cavaliere embraced the Hammond Organ and pioneered a fresh, rock and roll sound. Upon leaving Syracuse University, he formed the Escorts, and become a backup musician for Joey Dee and the Starliters and later Sandy Scott.

Jessie Peck is the long-time bass singer for The legendary Spinners. The group is performing, along with special guest Thelma Houston, in The Club at The Cannery Casino on June 1.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Peck talks about living the dream, first seeing The Spinners at the Michigan State Fair as a kid and ending up joining the group as an adult; filling the big shoes of founding member Pervis Jackson, whose influence went beyond the stage; revealing for the first time his two favorite Spinners songs; relating the impact of the group over the decades; and coping as a kid when his voice changed to bass.

This week, Ira spoke with Anthony Curtis, publisher and CEO of Huntington Press, and the Las Vegas Advisor, a Las Vegas consumer newsletter. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Curtis talks about his early years in Las Vegas, where he came to “gamble and hang out”; his decision to pursue publishing books and a monthly newsletter; the impetus behind his drive to succeed and why he never accepts comps; why sports betting is going to become the new poker; and what he sees as the future of Las Vegas.