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

PLUS ART, ALBUM AND BOOK!

QUICK CLIP (Ringo on performing in Vegas through the years):

Ringo and the All Starrs - Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Hamish Stuart, Warren Ham, Buck Johnson and Gregg Bissonette - joined by musical director Mark Rivera - zoomed in from Riverside Theater in Milwaukee today where they are rehearsing for the Ringo & His All Starr Band Tour, which kicks off September 10 at the Chicago Theatre.

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Fall Tour Dates for September:

10 The Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL

12 Miller High Life Theater, Milwaukee, WI

13 Bourbon & Beyond, Louisville, KY

17 The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV

19 The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV

20 The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV

21 Ironstone, Murphys, CA

23 Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, Highland, CA

24 The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV

26 The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV

27 The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV

Other Ringo news:

STARR ART exhibition at Animazing Art Gallery (September 5-October 15) in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, his first show since 2019 and his first to feature his original paintings for exhibition and sale (with all artist proceeds going to the Lotus Foundation). 

Look Up, Ringo's acclaimed Country album with T Bone Burnett released in January 2025 and  garnered him his first UK #1 and saw him chart in the Top 10 on numerous Billboard Charts and make his Grand Ole Opry debut. Ringo and T Bone are currently working on the follow up. 

+ Ringo's last book, Beats and Threads, published by Julien’s Auctions, is an unprecedented chronicle of more than 70 years of his legendary sonic and sartorial style dedicated solely to his historic drum kits and era defining garments. Features 300 images and offers for the first-time the most comprehensive look at his legendary Beatles-era drum kits containing decades of research-based information with curated and detailed photographs of these pieces of music history.

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Photo by Janice Wilkins

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes powerhouse jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly, appearing live at Vic’s Las Vegas, September 19–20. Known for her crystal-clear, no-nonsense style, Nancy shares why music—not showmanship—has always been her true love. She dives into the intimate connection between performer and audi-ence, the humor (and humility) that jazz musicians carry, and why swing and bebop re-main at the heart of her artistry.

Nancy also reflects on being groomed for the stage from an early age, the making of her latest album Be Cool, and her belief that jazz must stay rooted in the blues. Beyond performance, she opens up about her passion for teaching—showing young musicians how to truly back a singer—and why rhythm and the Great American Songbook continue to be her guiding lights.

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This week on "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira welcomes jazz artist Andy James, whose latest album, “Happy People” (Le Coq Records), blends the fire of flamenco with the soul of jazz. Andy began her artistic journey as a flamenco dancer, studying in Australia and Spain before performing worldwide. She talks about her family’s musical roots, the challenges of injuries, and meeting her husband—a classically trained pianist and former ballet dancer—during a rehearsal for Carmen.

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Grammy and Emmy-nominated trumpeter and arranger Greg Adams joins the conversation ahead of his August 22nd performance with East Bay Soul in Myron’s Cabaret at The Smith Center

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with rising country artist Dalton Hicks, performing at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country on August 15. Dalton opens up about the stories and grit behind his latest single, "Day By Day"—a song shaped by his rough life, self-reliance right after high school, and a “get up and keep moving” philosophy.

He shares how picking up a guitar at 17 turned a dream of becoming a marine biologist into a career as a songwriter and performer—without any studio backing. Raised a self-described “redneck,” Dalton was first inspired by his grandmother’s church music, even though it wasn’t country. In 2020, he released his debut song, and his first online hit,"I’m Still Here" (2024) put him on the map.

In this conversation, Dalton talks about his first-ever Vegas performance, his two-year bond with his band (including the funny tattoo story of how they met), recording in Nashville versus the rush of a live audience, his admiration for Thomas Rhett as a family man, and his ultimate dream—to one day stand on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He’s not chasing fame—he’s chasing the chance to motivate people through his music. And when he’s on stage, this “country boy” pours his whole heart into every note.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes award-winning magician and showbiz veteran Fielding West, fresh from being honored at the inaugural Global Magicians Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas.

In this revealing and entertaining conversation, Fielding shares how his magical journey began at the age of nine—sparked by a life-changing gift from his grandfather to help him overcome learning disabilities. That spark eventually led to a bold decision: dropping out of graduate school after a chance encounter with none other than Steve Martin. After driving the comedy icon to a gig and watching him perform, Fielding knew his true calling was on stage, not in a classroom.

Fielding dives into the art of misdirection, the thrill of discovering magic’s secrets, and the pure joy of an audience's reaction. He shares the hilarious origin of his unique sense of humor—including a childhood prank involving a whoopee cushion—and talks candidly about performing today while managing COPD with an oxygen concentrator, calling it the “bullet catch” for aging magicians.

He also reflects on the legendary “magician’s graveyard,” names his top three magicians in history, and offers heartfelt insights into his decades-long friendship with master magi-cian Lance Burton.

It’s a magical, moving, and memorable episode you won’t want to miss.

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira is joined by Nashville-based singer-songwriter Rae Radick, performing “Iconic Women of Music” at Backstage Bar & Billiards on September 17.

Rae’s journey is as bold as the voices she honors—from singing and dancing at age three to releasing her first album at fifteen. After a decade of performing in New York, she followed her heart to Nashville, just as the world started reopening post-COVID. Now, she’s living her dream—and inviting us all along for the ride.

In this episode, Rae opens up about:

*How performing keeps her fit (yes, it's her workout)

*Why taking risks is essential—and failure isn't fatal 

*The inspiration behind “Iconic Women of Music,” a passion project turned professional tribute

*How she picks and paces the icons she honors—from Dolly to Whitney—and lets audience feedback help shape future shows

*Why she’s not an impersonator, but a performer celebrating the legends

*Why a live band is non-negotiable for her—and how art, for her, is all about community

Plus, Rae shares her dream of landing a Las Vegas residency, what it’s like debuting in Vegas, and how she crafts a high-energy, one-woman show that’s “a party from start to finish.”

It’s an honest, inspiring, and full of heart conversation. Join us! 

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira dives into the colorful world of Clint Carvalho, a multifaceted entertainer whose life story is as vivid as the exotic parrots he performs with. Clint opens up about two deeply personal Facebook posts—one about staying true to yourself, the other about the shifting entertainment landscape in Las Vegas—and why he felt compelled to write them.

A Las Vegas resident since 1986, Clint shares how the city is more than a place—it's a relationship. Known originally as a “specialty act,” he reflects on the evolution of audiences, who now chase discounts over wonder. Clint candidly discusses losing his way after COVID, his journey to reconnect with his roots in Stockton, and the moment—a fat lip, of all things—that pushed him to go full-time with the birds he started training at just 11 years old.

He talks about earning a black belt in karate, landing his first gig at a theme park, and how he built his act not by commanding his parrots, but by asking. Now, nearly 40 years later, those same birds are still with him, part of a flock of 80 he lovingly cares for. Clint shares how he had to reinvent himself, moving his act indoors, reconnecting with his self-worth, and continuing to create not just shows, but attractions.

Through it all, Clint remains committed to live performance—no screens, no filters, just heart—and raises the question: Has Las Vegas lost its magic?

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes veteran journalist and founder of LasVegasSportsBiz.com, Alan Snel, who dives into the high-stakes world where sports, politics, and business collide.

Alan unpacks the ongoing saga of the A’s stadium project—from the controversial decisions of team owner John Fisher, to the over-lap of roles held by Steve Hill, the LVCVA CEO, who also chairs the Stadium Authority.

He also shares insights into the often opaque world of public financing, and why some government agencies are more cooperative than others when it comes to Freedom of Information requests. Alan also opines on whether other media in Las Vegas follow his breaking stories.

Plus, he shines a spotlight on a major win for outdoor enthusiasts: a long-awaited, soon-to-be constructed paved trail along State Route 159 leading to the stunning Red Rock Canyon, a natural treasure drawing 3.5 million visitors a year. After two decades of advo-cacy, the groundbreaking finally happened on July 1.

If you care about the future of Las Vegas—on the field, in the boardroom, or on the trail—this episode is a must-listen.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes the multi-talented Mark Giovi, performing live at Maxan Jazz on July 3. In a powerful and heartfelt conversation, Mark opens up about his remarkable journey—from fronting heavy metal bands to mastering opera, and from vocal coach to tour manager. He shares how growing up in the restaurant business sharpened his instincts for success, both onstage and behind the scenes.

Mark also candidly discusses his courageous battle with spasmodic dysphonia, a condition that silenced his voice for a year, and the overwhelming support he received from the Las Vegas community during that difficult time. Now back and stronger than ever, he reflects on relearning to sing, living with cerebral palsy, embracing life’s challenges, and his passion for 80’s rock, great conversations, and the art of wine—he even dreams of becoming a sommelier. Don’t miss this inspiring and deeply human episode.

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