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

This week, Ira spoke with Dave Koz and Cuba Gooding Sr. Acclaimed saxophonist Dave Koz, along with friends Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot, will perform in Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center on Saturday, August 2, at 7:30 p.m. Nine-time GRAMMY® nominee Dave Koz remembers the first record he ever purchased – Tower […]

This week, Ira spoke with Elisa Fiorillo Dease. Elisa Fiorillo Dease (a.k.a. Elisa Fiorillo) is a Las Vegas-based singer with pop royalty connections and a wide range of musical influences, including classical, R&B and jazz. A Philadelphia native, she catapulted to national attention after winning the TV show “Star Search” at the age of 15. […]

This week, Ira spoke with Ted Nugent. Rock music legend and “Motor City Madman” Ted Nugent will be performing at the Orleans Showroom on July 12. Nugent initially gained fame as the lead guitarist of the band “The Amboy Dukes” before embarking on a solo career. He was known throughout his early career for using […]

This week, Ira spoke with Rita Coolidge. Two-time Grammy® Award winner Rita Coolidge, who will perform many of her top hits at the Suncoast Showroom June 21-22, began her career as a backing vocalist in Memphis in the 1960s. Shortly thereafter, she relocated to Los Angeles and became the first call background singer for performers […]

This week, Ira spoke with Lavell Crawford. Lavell Crawford, performing at the Suncoast Showroom June 14-15, is an award-winning comic, actor, writer and producer. Crawford’s career took off after his national exposure on NBC’s hit reality series “Last Comic Standing,” and he has been quickly climbing the comedic ranks ever since. The rising comedy star […]

This week, Ira spoke with Fielding West. Fielding West, performing at the Laugh Factory through June 8 at 8:30 and 10:30, along with Mike Pace and KT Tatara, was introduced to magic by his grandfather who was an amateur magician. After high school, Fielding put himself through college, paying for his degree by performing in […]

This week, Ira spoke with Steve Tyrell. Steve Tyrell will be performing It’s Magic: The Songs of Sammy Cahn” in Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center, Friday and Saturday, May 30 and 31 at 7 p.m. With his breakthrough performances in “Father of the Bride” and “Father of the Bride II,” Tyrell reinvented and re-popularized […]

This week, Ira spoke with Andy Martello. Andy Martello, a professional comedian, variety performer, and freelance writer, is the author of “The King of Casinos, Willie Martello and the El Rey Club.”. About the book: After a horrific blaze destroyed Willie Martello’s El Rey Club in 1962, nearly 50 years would pass before anyone knew […]

This week, Ira spoke with Ben Jaffe. Ben Jaffe, the son of Hall founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe, was raised in and around Preservation Hall. Jaffe marched in his first Carnival parade at the age of nine alongside his father and parrain (godfather) Harold “Duke” Dejan. When he was thirteen, the lease on the building […]

This week, Ira spoke with Bill Boyd. Bill Boyd, executive chairman of Boyd Gaming Corporation. He co-founded the company with his father, Sam. Bill has been a respected gaming figure for decades , and recognized for his extensive community philanthropy. Bill’s father, Sam A. Boyd, came to Las Vegas in 1941 as a dealer. Through […]