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

This week, Ira spoke with Frankie Avalon.

Frankie Avalon will be performing at the South Point Casino September 28-30

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Avalon talks about his long and varied career in music, television, and motion pictures; his identification as a musician first and foremost; getting motivated as a young trumpet player by a red Thunderbird; being helped and mentored by Nat King Cole, who was responsible for the start of Avalon’s Las Vegas performances beginning in 1960; and his appeal to multiple generations throughout the world.

Avalon has a long string of Gold Record Million-Seller singles and albums. In 1959 alone, he had six solid hits that were in the top 40 and his music became one of the defining sounds of the “Pre-Beatles” Rock and Roll.

His 30 motion picture credits include starring roles in the highly successful “Beach Party” film series; his comedic performances in “Skidoo,” “Sail a Crooked Ship,” “I’ll Take Sweden,” “Ski Party” and “Sergeant Deadhead”; and his dramatic roles in “The Dark,” “The Alamo,” “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,” “Guns of the Timberland” and “The Take.”

https://www.southpointcasino.com

http://www.frankieavalon.com

This week, Ira spoke with Ben Bailey.

Emmy Winning "Outstanding Game Show Host" and comedian Ben Bailey will be performing in the Grand Events Center at Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino Friday, September 21.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Bailey talks about the one course in school that set him on his path to comedy; his unique approach to humor and how he found his comedic voice; his fun moments playing Black Sabbath covers to Sabbath fanatics; how “Cash Cab” has impacted his career; and what he wants to do with the Emmys he’s won.

Before he got behind the wheel of the “Cash Cab,” Bailey began his career as a stand-up comedian. As a young man, he left his home in a small town in New Jersey and headed to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of a career in show business. Just a few weeks later, he found himself onstage at The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip and knew right away he had found his calling.

He soon after returned to the East Coast and quickly became a crowd favorite at the clubs in New York City. He has since performed at clubs and theaters around the world, as well as at all the major festivals, including Just For Laughs in Montreal and Chicago and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Bailey has starred in two specials for Comedy Central. His most recent, “Road Rage” and “Accidental Ornithology,” is currently streaming on Netflix. He has appeared in several commercials, on “Last Call w/Carson Daly,” “The Late Show,” “The Tonight Show,” “The Today Show,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,”” Rachel Ray,” and virtually every major TV and radio show in the country.

http://www.stationcasinoslive.comTwitter: @RealBenBailey https://bit.ly/2MLZnql

This week, Ira spoke with Lance Burton & Friends.

On a special edition of Talk About Las Vegas With Ira, the show is on the road with Master Magician Lance Burton & Friends, who recently performed a one-night show at the Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Burton talks his “road trip” with his friends and fellow performers; the difficulty with performing an illusion after being away from it for a while; his view of magic as a theatrical art form, based on 90 percent psychological principles; his mentors, including Harry Collins, Johnny Thompson and Channing Pollock; and his belief that that joy of performing is the audience.

Fielding West talks about his long friendship with Lance Burton (who served as best man at both of his weddings; why he has a lifelong fascination with magic; and how younger magicians are using new techniques for sleight of hand.

Michael Goudeau talks about his career in juggling, even though he wanted to be a forest ranger; how he started with a unicycle; his recent addition of bean bag chairs and 100,000 volt Tasers; and his ultimate dream of building a sailboat.

Keith West talks about starting in magic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; working with the legends of magic; why he loves performing levitation illusions; and why he considers himself the luckiest man on earth.

Kitty Marie, who works with Keith West, talks abpit starting her role as a  “Box Jumper”; her background in gymnastics; her decision to write a book, “A Box Jumper’s Guide to Surviving Magic” and plans for the future.

http://www.rt66casino.com

http://www.lanceburton.com

http://www.fieldingwest.com

http://www.mikegoudeau.com

http://entertainmentgroupcomedy.com/magicians/KeithWest/keithwest.html

https://www.facebook.com/KittyMarieBoxJumper

This week, Ira spoke with Rich Vos.

Comedian Rich Vos is performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino through September 2.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Vos talks about his start in comedy (“when you fail at everything else”); how he covered his pain as a child by listening to comedy albums; why you have more to give as a comic when you have lived life; and why he didn’t look up to anybody, but looked up to comedy. (And he talks about all this while driving 70 miles an hour and battling his navigation system!)

Vos, raised in New Jersey, is a no-holds-barred performer who performs in comedy clubs around the country.

He also has his own podcast, “My Wife Hates Me.” His cohost is his wife, comedian Bonnie McFarlane. He can also be seen in the Netflix movie, “Women Aren’t Funny,” which he also produced.

Vos can be seen on HBO, Showtime, Starz, Jimmy Kimmel and Comedy Central where he has two stand-up specials.

http://www.caesars.com

http://www.richvos.com

This week, Ira spoke with George Wallace.

George Wallace has a new residency show, performing in the Westgate Cabaret at The Westgate Las Vegas, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Wallace talks about his return to Las Vegas after several years acting in movies; how he will change Las Vegas with his stand on discount shows; his joy in making people laugh; and his take on everything under the sun!

Wallace was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Soul Train/Centric Comedy All-Star Awards; and won Best Stand Up Comedian at the prestigious American Comedy Awards after four consecutive nominations.

In 2004 Wallace appeared as the headlining star of his own show at The Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas for a 30 day run. Sin City showed its admiration by extending Wallace’s contract indefinitely and nicknaming him “The New Mr. Vegas.”

Unlike any other comedy show in Las Vegas, Wallace gave away a number of prizes every night including CDs, DVDs, diamond necklaces, dinner at prestigious restaurants, gourmet chocolates, tropical cruises and even a new car. He celebrated his 10th Anniversary headlining at the Flamingo in March 2014, announced he was closing the show to head back out on the road.

http://www.westgateresorts.com

http://www.georgewallace.net

This week, Ira spoke with Arturo Sandoval.

10-time Grammy winning jazz artist Arturo Sandoval is performing in the Access Showroom at Aliante Casino and Hotel on August 25.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Sandoval about his formative years in Cuba; why he was inspired by listening to jazz on the Voice of America; his friendship with Dizzy Gillespie; the importance of family; the need to practice every day; and why he will never retire.

Sandoval was a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning group Irakere, whose explosive mixture of jazz, classical, rock and traditional Cuban music caused a sensation throughout the entertainment world. In 1981, he left Irakere to form his own band, which garnered enthusiastic praise from critics and audiences all over the world, and continues to do so.

He is also a renowned classical musician, performing regularly with the leading symphony orchestras from around the world. Arturo has composed his own “Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra,” which can be heard on “Arturo Sandoval: “The Classical Album.”

http://www.aliantegaming.com

http://www.arturosandoval.com

This week, Ira spoke with Kyle & Mistie Knight.

Award-winning illusionists Kyle and Mistie Knight are performing at The Suncoast Showroom August 12 at 7:30 p.m.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, The Knights talk about their equal partnership as husband and wife as well as magician and magician; the life of 24 hour show business; performing in 81 countries; working with audiences who speak different languages; and balancing living in Las Vegas and touring the world.

Kyle and Mistie Knight have traveled to over 80 different countries performing their own unique style of magic. The husband and wife duo have headlined in Las Vegas, at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, and at The House of Magic at Studio City Resort in Macau, China.

On television Kyle Knight & Mistie appeared on the hit show “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” on the CW network, on BBC One’s “Now You See It,” and were the grand-prize winners on SyFy’s magic competition show “Wizard Wars.”

http://www.suncoastcasino.com

http://www.knightmagic.com

This week, Ira spoke with Jimmy Shubert.

Jimmy Shubert is headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas through August 5.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, he talks about approach to comedy, making people laugh and think at the same time, the importance of social media, staying in touch with his roots in Philadelphia, and his love of magic.

Shubert started performing right out of high school in comedy clubs around the Philly area. He later moved to Los Angeles and started working at the Comedy Store. It was at the Comedy Store where he later met Sam Kinison, and after taking him offstage on a Motorcycle at the Comedy Store’s Main room in front of a packed house, they became fast friends.

Kinison liked Shubert’s cockeyed chutzpah and included him as one of the original “Outlaws of Comedy” which he toured with for five years, playing major casinos in Las Vegas and other venues like the Universal Amphitheater in front of audiences as large as 6,500 people.

In 1997, after a well-recognized performance at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, he was spotted by the late Brandon Tartikoff, who signed Jimmy to a holding deal to develop a pilot sitcom for him to star in at 20th Century Fox.

Shubert is known for his recurring role on “King of Queens” for five years and several appearances on “Entourage.”

http://www.troplv.com

http://www.jimmyshubert.com

This week, Ira spoke with Santiago Michel.

Santiago Michel is performing in “Ilusión Mental,” a unique all-in-Spanish show in the Sin City Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. This is the only show on the Las Vegas Strip performed entirely in Spanish.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Michel talks about his early interest in magic; learning English and moving to Las Vegas; researching the viability of performing totally in Spanish; and his future plans in the world of entertainment.

http://www.caesars.com

http://www.santiagomichel.com

Twitter: @themindreaderInstagram: @the_mindreader

This week, Ira spoke with Ron Futrell.

Journalist Ron Futrell has been covering sports in Las Vegas for many years and has reported on the growth and challenges for both college and professional sports in the entertainment capital. He currently reports for KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.

In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Futrell talks about his broadcasting career, the evolution of sports in Las Vegas, the impact of professional teams on the entertainment capital, and the controversy about parking space at the new Raiders Stadium.

http://www.ronfutrell.com