The Buzz: She Blew the Roof Off

The one and only, Kelly Clinton blew the roof off the Bootlegger Bistro at her Open Mic Cabaret in Las Vegas Monday night with a trumpet solo of ‘When the Saints Come Marching In‘ ----her very special tribute to the victorious Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints. The full-house crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation for Kelly and right on cue Lena Prima marched on  stage belting out the lyrics. It was awesome!

Lena is the daughter of famed entertainer, the late, great, Louis Prima. Lena stars in her own stage show, Louis Prima, That’s My Dad . She’s appeared at the Sahara Hotel, the Rampart and many other top venues in Las Vegas, the Caribbean and all over North America. Lena will be headed for New Orleans in April to perform in a celebration of her dad’s 100th birthday year.

Next, ’best friends’ Kelly and Lena rocked the house with their duet song and dance 'Jump, Jive an' Wail' written by Louis Prima. 
Musician extraordinaire, Steve Johnson was back this week sitting in on sax, and on the drums was Brian Czach. Brian has recorded and performed with Dominick Allen and Foreigner, as well as with many other top artists.

With the audience in high gear, Kelly’s introduced the next super talented performer, Nicholas Brooks, a fabulous vocalist in his own right who plays Sammy Davis, Jr. in the Rat Pack show. Yet another tribute artist, singer Barry Allen Cohen followed Brooks with Dean Martin’s ‘That’s Amore’ and Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon.’ Patty Powers, a lady who can move and sing, was up next at the mic accompanied by David Marinelli on the piano. The musical pair hail from upstate New York.

Singer/music producer, the beautiful and talented, Paris Lane, gave an awesome performance with her stylistic rendition of ‘Summertime‘. What a show stopper!!!  Once again a standing ovation!

Kelly introduced two top celebrities in the audience, legendary actor, Antonio Fargas, (above left with his wife, Sandi)  and dynamic stage entertainer, Tony Tillman (right with assistant, Elizabeth Baxter).  The acclaimed movie and Broadway actor, Antonio Fargas is most recognized  by the public for his role as ‘Huggy Bear’ in TV’s ‘Starsky & Hutch’.  Popular Las Vegas-based singer/entertainer, Tony Tillman, has traveled the world giving knockout performances to enthusiastic crowds.

Bill Fayne was back in the audience this week. Kelly invited Bill up to the mic where he expressed words of thanks to all for the prayers and wishes for his recovery. Bill said he hoped to be back performing at the Suncoast on March 6, at a special event that will be held in Bill’s honor. Suncoast show producer Ed Matthews, headliners Clint Holmes and Kelly Clinton-Holmes are hosting the afternoon show that will feature a long list of top Las Vegas entertainers. Call the Suncoast for tickets.

Young rising star, theatrical performer and TV host of Vegas5W, Kaci Machacyk, was back at the mic this week. For her encore number, Kaci sang ‘If I Love You’ a cappella! Wow!  Kaci and her dad, Tommy Vinci were here at the Cabaret last Monday night too. That night they both performed and also shot some video for their internet television show in preparation for a feature on Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro. They interviewed and filmed Kelly Clinton, the musicians, some of the performers, the fans, Bootlegger host, J.T. Thompson, and Momma Maria, who at 92-years-old, is still in charge of the family restaurant kitchen.
Check out Episode 6, “Music on the Menu"---you might even be in it, at http://www.vegas5w.com/

And there’s more: Ah, to be young again! 18 year-old, Kyle Marlett, (left) had the audience gasping as he performed a razor-swallowing trick during his magic act. Kyle won a place in a young magicians competition recently and will perform in the upcoming World Magic Symposium at The Orleans on March 2.
Later on, Merritt Mullaney, a newcomer to Vegas from Denver, rocked out on the guitar singing ‘Roadhouse Blues.’

Classical/jazz pianist, Luis Sebastian, played a powerful medley on the grand piano.  Up next came versatile vocalist, Donny Evins (right).  Donny is well-known for his ‘Tribute to Nat King Cole’ and will be performing his show at the Anthem Theater very soon.

Bobby Brooks (left), a dynamic, high energy performer, delighted the crowd with ‘Stand By Me‘ followed by ‘Since I Fell For You.’ Bobby’s outstanding performance got the crowd up on their feet again for a well-deserved standing ovation.

Jazz singer, Kitty Montgomery stepped up to the mic for a terrific performance of ‘My Funny Valentine.’  Then Kelly introduced ‘Sexy Manuel', alias for our open mic DJ, Kevin Cordova, who upped the beat with ‘Here I Go‘.  This guy has got the moves!!!

Carla Maria, (hope that last name is right),  in a very hoarse voice, announced an event titled ‘Klip It For Kids’ to be held at Town Square on March 13. Carla and others will have their heads shaved or hair clipped for kids with cancer. Carla is producing the event with three-hours of entertainment going on during the "Klip It"  so try not to miss that gig.   More detailed info when it’s released.

Winding up another Monday night of incredible entertainment was Jacqueline, a performer who usually arrives decked out in her very sexy style, this time made her entrance costumed in her ‘Lu Lu Rose’ from the hills character.  Lu Lu sang her own rendition of ‘Second Hand Rose.' A gentlemen with a fabulous voice, Don Gloude (French accent stroke over the e) gave a marvelous performance of ‘What Kind of Fool Am I.’ And finally, (no pun joke here) a visitor from the Dallas, Texas area, Neil Davies, sang ‘I’ve Got the World on a String’ with the band. Neil did a great job and said, the band played 'perfect.'  He’ll be back next time he gets to Vegas.

Speaking of the band,---everybody is---they are so great that most of the entertainers choose to perform with their live music. As always, Kelly’s musical director, Michael Clark was on the keys, with Billy Adams on drums and Kevin Lyon on guitar. Musician/performers are always welcome to sit in with the band.  Entertainers can choose to sing along with tracks handled by DJ, Kevin Cordova, or go for it with the band,  with charts or not.

There’s really nothing quite like Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret where performers and the audience get that up close and personnel experience of the real Vintage Vegas. Join Kelly every Monday night at 9 pm at the Bootlegger Bistro. Sing, play an instrument, perform your act, dine in, enjoy the show, have a blast!!!

7700 Las Vegas Blvd. So.
Doors Open at 8:30 pm.
Dining reservations for main room audience call: 702-736-4939

Here’s the link to catch the Vegas' 5W feature on Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro:
Episode 6, Music on the Menu
http://www.vegas5w.com/
Be sure to pass the link on to friends and fans.

More pics:

See you all next week!!!!!!!