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

This week, Ira spoke with Kliph Nesteroff. Kliph Nesteroff, author of “The Comedians…Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels and the History of American Comedy,” is a former stand-up comic turned writer. Writing about the history of showbiz for WFMU, he has retained a cult following for years. Nesteroff’s latest project is hosting the Classic Showbiz Talk Show, a […]

This week, Ira spoke with Mike Love. Mike Love, lead singer and a founding member of The Beach Boys, is bringing the iconic group to Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center April 30. The Beach Boys have been part of the American musical experience for more than 50 years. Love wrote the lyrics to The […]

This week, Ira spoke with Taylor Dayne. Taylor Dayne, one of the most popular vocalists of the modern age, will be performing this April 22 at The Golden Nugget Las Vegas as part of its 52 Fridays Concert Series. Dayne has enjoyed Top 10 hits in three consequent decades, selling a combined 75 million singles […]

This week, Ira spoke with Janice L. McKay. Janis L. McKay, author of “Played Out on the Strip, The Rise and Fall of Las Vegas Casino Bands,” is associate professor of bassoon and principal bassoon of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra. She also performs as principal bassoon for the Classical Music Festival in Austria and […]

This week, Ira spoke with Don Friesen. Don Friesen, headlining at The Laugh Factory in the Tropicana Las Vegas through April 10, is a modern suburban dad just trying to raise his kids, and get through the day with a bit of money in the bank and a scrap of dignity intact. With a unique […]

This week, Ira spoke with Dan Sperry. Shock Illusionist and Anti-Conjuror Dan Sperry’s fascination with the art of magic began when he was four years old and he performed his first paid show at age 11. By the time he was 17, Sperry was already an internationally recognized champion with honors including being one of […]

This week, Ira spoke with Gerald Alston. Gerald Alston, lead singer with the Manhattans (performing at Sam’s Town Live! April 2), was born in Henderson, North Carolina, the son of Rev. J.B. Alston and the nephew of gospel great Johnny Fields of the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, who learned his trade in church. As […]

This week, Ira spoke with Tony Desare. Singer-songwriter-pianist Tony DeSare, who will be performing March 25-26 in Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center, was named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat Magazine. He has been winning critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout North America and abroad. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall […]

This week, Ira spoke with Don Gavin. Don Gavin, the Godfather of Boston comedy, who is headlining at the Laugh Factory in the Tropicana Las Vegas through March 13th, considered the Godfather of Boston Comedy. He was one of the original founders of the famous Ding-Ho Comedy Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts (a launching pad for […]

This week, Ira spoke with Naomi Emmerson. Naomi Emmerson will be performing an intimate one woman musical theatre drama, “PIAF: LOVE CONQUERS ALL” at the Winchester Cultural Center in Las Vegas, March 4th at 7pm & March 5th at 1:30pm. This performance is a celebration of Edith Piaf’s 100th birthday and The Little Sparrow’s life, […]