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Features What It Feels Like in Las Vegas We've been in Las Vegas for a while now and I realized I haven't said much about our new location. Maybe it's because I always thought there was no life outside the San Francisco Bay Area. Maybe I've just been too busy having a good time getting acquainted. No matter. It's time to tell you just a bit about this City of Lights. In my view, Las Vegas is unique on the planet for several reasons, starting with 35 million visitors each year. And you folks aren't showing up here for seminars, classes, or demonstrations. You are here to HAVE FUN. Oh, I know many people pretend to come here for the company convention, but, hey, let's be honest. You still have a real good time. So, how does that effect musical life here? I haven't found a lot of soul searching, angst driven, social protest music, although there is a coffee house near the UNLV campus that definitely has a Berkeley state of mind. It's here to some degree, but outnumbered by some of the tightest, kick-ass bands I've ever heard. The only difference I can tell between some of these bands and the ones on the summer rerun circuit is that you just never heard of them. And it's not because they don't do some of their original stuff either. It seems to me these groups are just too busy makin' in happen, day in, day out, to spend the time it takes in the studio and hanging out with label reps. As the weeks unfold, we will be bringing you video clips and mp3's from some of our favorites. Who knows, maybe we will even help connect a band to the next level. Maybe even you or your band. No matter where you are making your music or showcasing your talent now, get in touch with us if you want greater exposure. That's what we do best! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OK, some time has passed since I wrote the above. I need to get into Web 2.0 and start a blog. I know, I know, but for the moment I'll just write here. I've really gotten to know a lot of wonderful musicians here in Las Vegas, too many to name right now but everyone has treated me well. I could literally play seven nights a week now in other bands. Haven't even got my own group up and running yet. The past four days, for example, I played dinner jazz with Paul Stevenson and the "Vegas All-Stars" at Ferraro's Italian Restaurant on Thursday and Saturday nights. By the way, the food at Ferraro's is excellent, with a wine list as big as a dictionary. Friday night I performed with Dick Fazio and Friends at Pogo's on Decatur at Lake Mead. Pogo's has had live jazz every Friday night for 39 years. Match that! Last night I played with Lady V (Veronica) and her band at Seven Seas on Lake Mead near I-15. Ron on drums, Eli on Guitar, Ronnie on Keys and kickin' bass, Sid on sax. Great group and some down-home cooking. Yum! I video taped them and will be working on the editing this week. I'll be video-taping Windy (SeSaani) at Ruth's Chris next week. While I was there making the arrangements I had a visit with Robbie Robinson. Robbie was one of the original instrumentalists with the Platters. What a trip for me. The Platters first album was also the first album I bought as a kid. He had lots of stories of hanging out with Frank, Sammy and Dean, but even better were the stories of hanging out with George Jacobs. George was Frank's personal assistant for 17 years and even has a book out entitled "My Life With Mr. S." It's supposed to be a "tell all" book. Robbie says there were some things he didn't tell. Probably for good reasons. I am so far behind in getting videos uploaded. There must be at least 50 packages here in our office that need to be reviewed and posted. If one is yours, please be patient. We will get them up. |
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Sandra's Corner |
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News and views from Sandra |
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Live Music If you have the opportunity to be in Castro Valley, California, check out the Waterfall night club. It actually has an operating waterfall inside the night club. Under new management, the Waterfall will soon offer live music on weekends. We'll keep you up to date. See local listing for the address or come back here and we'll let you know the skinny on the new format. Beets Catering Last week we attended the annual food tasting event hosted by Beet's Catering in Livermore, California. The food was exquisite and the presentation creative and unique. This company can help make any event successful. Beet's also boasts a location, the Shrine Event Center, that offers over 10,000 square feet of versatile banquet and meeting space. If you're ever in the area, check them out. Tell them we sent you! West Coast Arts The West Coast Arts Foundation is a non-profit, educational foundation in San Rafael, California. This organization, among other things, promotes new and emerging talent in the area. We were fortunate to attend a concert that featured two vocalists, Carolyn Tidwell and Yolandra Rhodes. Yolandra can be viewed on our website in the "Blues" section. The featured musicians were the Klein Trio. The founding Director is Margot Jones. We hope to see a lot more from them. See local listings for address. |
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For more information: A.K. Music and Talent Agency
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