The Buzz: Captain Kelly & The Entertainment Journey

The vivacious and talented Kelly Clinton launched another of her fantastic Open Mic Cabaret shows starting with her own high energy performance of,  Joy to the World.  Kelly’s incomparable up close and personal performance style ---the immediate contact she makes with the crowd ---and her choice of opening music, demonstrates this artist’s consistent ability to capture and take the audience right up on stage with her.

Not to fail to mention her willingness to share the spotlight with the band ---and other entertainers like Kaci Machacyk, Kaci's dad,  Tommy Vinci and Lannie Counts who jumped in on backup when Kelly invited them to come up during her opening number. With Kelly Clinton at the helm, the “joyful” pace was set once again for Monday night’s ‘entertainment journey’ at the Bootlegger Bistro.

The wonderful singer, Lannie Counts was first up at the mic performing the Stevie Wonder number, Knocks Me Off  from the album, Songs in the Key of Life. Lannie sang in a soft and smooth style then moved up to his strong and powerful vocal range to close the number. He changed the pace with his second song, a swinging version of Fly Me To the Moon. Musical director Mike Clark on the keys and renown guitarist Tony Drake both rocked the bridge. Lannie was terrific. Yes Lannie, do “sing forever more!

Next up was the popular singer and the woman behind Diva Las Vegas Productions, Michelle Johnson, who chose to perform a number she had never sung before . With the fabulous band behind her, Michelle gave a really outstanding presentation of It Might Be You, written by Dave Grusin with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song was performed by singer/songwriter Stephen Bishop in the 1982 movie Tootsie. As always, the Diva Michelle Johnson blew us away with her first-time performance of this beautiful song.

The charismatic singer Mark O’Toole joined the Cabaret for his first time Monday night. Mark appeared at the Bootlegger a few weeks back at Kelly Clinton’s Sunday Night Celebrity Spotlight. He not only filled the house at that show, he brought along his special guest of the evening, actress Sally Struthers. Mark is a wonderful singer ---and a good looking guy who had the ladies swooning on Monday night with his terrific performance of Ray Charles’ You Don’t Know Me. Mark O’Toole will be appearing weekly in the Ravello Lounge at the M Resort Henderson starting April 17.

Kelly had a lot of fun introducing birthday girl Jessica and presenting opera star, Geena Mattox (Phantom of the Opera) to deliver the Happy Birthday song. Geena gave a wonderful presentation of the traditional number that blew Jessica and the entire audience away!!! Just fabulous!!

Kelly welcomed back, N Demand, the phenomenal A cappela Doo Wop group for their second performance at her Open Mic Cabaret. The fabulous singers gave us a couple of memorable numbers from the Doo Wop days including a real crowd pleaser Life Could Be a Dream (Sh Boom, Sh Boom). The 1954 recording by the Crew Cuts was #1 on the Billboard charts for 9 weeks that year. The four members of the group N Demand are Gerald Bell, David Franklin, Lewis Clark and E.C. Adams. The quartet got together about a year ago. You can catch their show in the Napoleon Room at the Paris on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 pm - 8:30 pm.

Before bringing up the next performer, Kelly mentioned that while she was in North Carolina with her husband Clint Holmes preparing for his play that opens April 3, her guest host was none other than the star of Menopause the Musical,  Skye Dee Miles. The one and only Skye Dee Miles was the next performer of course. Skye was looking great in a curly blond wig and the fabulous faux eyelashes she wore for her performance in a show called She-nanigans that took place earlier in the evening.
Oh can this lady sing!! Skye gave an exciting hot, hot, presentation of that fabulous blues number Stormy Monday.  Kevin Lyon rocked out on guitar. Skye finished with a big ending and the crowd jumped to their feet to give her a well deserved standing ovation!!

You never know who might be watching the show. This week someone spotted a television star in the crowd that many will know. Kelly introduced Billy Hufsey, the actor who played “Christopher” in the TV show Fame and the character "Emilio Ramirez" on Days of Our Lives. Besides being talented, the guy is good looking as Kelly noted with “Hmmm, Billy Hufsey” then in a Mae West style pose she added “ Hey, I might be married but I’m not dead!” …….Who could blame her!!

That young, flaming redhead, Kaci Machacyk was next on stage accompanied by the band with her dad, Tommy Vinci (Machacyk) on the drums. The talented young singer and host of Vegas 5W, gave a powerful performance belting out the Beatles song Oh Darling,  composed by Paul McCartney and recorded on the album, Abbey Road. …..Check out the episode, Music on the Menu , where Kaci features Kelly’s Open Mic Cabaret and the Bootlegger Bistro at http://www.vegas5w.com/
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Kelly introduced a couple of very popular “chick” singers who were out in the audience just watching the show. The fabulous singer Gayle Thompson Steele, who happens to be Kelly’s sister-in-law , was sitting this night out with a sore throat. Elisa Furr, the remarkable singer best known for her tribute to Celine Dion, was also in the crowd but had to run to another gig. Maybe next week ladies???

Next up, one of the nicest guys in town, the super-talented Nicholas Brooks stepped on stage to give a great performance of that old jazz standard Blame It On My Youth. The song was written by Oscar Levant and Edward Heyman in 1934. Frank Sinatra recorded it for his 1957 album, Close to You. Speaking of Sinatra, Nicholas Brooks is a cast member in the Rat Pack Show where he pays tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. Catch Nicholas and the other tribute artists at the 5 pm show at the Sahara Hotel.

The very hot ‘dream girls’ act called Sylk, Satan & Lace took to the stage looking very chic in their stunning dresses and fantabulous footwear. And ---oh yes, they sure can sing!! Following their terrific performance of Journey’s, Don’t Stop Believin’ the crowd roared for more. For their next number, the wonderful trio sang the Motown hit by the Supremes, Come See About Me, another crowd pleaser. The three gals in the group are Breonte Porter (Sylk), her daughter, Leana Carter (Lace) and Elyse Branch (Satin). Sylk, Satin & Lace will be headlining at Kelly’s Celebrity Spotlight at the Bootlegger in a few weeks. Dennis Bono immediately invited the girls to be on his radio show just prior to their Spotlight appearance.

Speaking of Dennis Bono, he and his wife, former Nevada Lt. Governor and Bootlegger Bistro owner, Lorraine Hunt Bono, were in the audience Monday night enjoying the show with the rest of the crowd. Kelly announced The Dennis Bono Show is celebrating its tenth year on the radio in Nevada and 11 western states. The really big news was, the show will now be heard seven times a week.---and beginning April 3, three times a week on Stay Tuned America, the classic entertainment superstation that airs around the world.


The lovely singer, Justina Lee Black brought a group
of friends to see her terrific performance of Nowhere to Go.
Justina’s CD release, New Start,  produced by Bennie Caruso of Detroit, will be out this summer. Good luck Justina.

The very funny comedian/singer, Willie Asbury was back this week. Willie is a talented veteran performer who opened with a song then moved into his comedic impressions where he nailed everyone of his favorites of the boxing world. This Monday night Willie added his killer impersonation series of “ethnic cheerleaders.” Willie has appeared on HBO and network comedy shows and at the Tropicana Comedy Spot . He was scheduled to appear at the Four Queens in Downtown Las Vegas on Wednesday night.

The super-talented husband and wife team, songstress Lisa Gay and master guitarist, Tony Drake, were back Monday night for another awesome performance. This time the gifted couple brought in LA jazz pianist, Marcas Johnson to add his style to the band. Jazz and R&B artist Lisa sent out her awesome vocal riffs along with some ultra hot moves on You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder. Tony led the band and took his spot playing incredible guitar.

Next Lisa reintroduced Marcas Johnson as 'one of the most sought after musicians in LA and a protégée of the great jazz pianist and composer, Eric Reed. Their next number featured the gifted artist, Marcas, performing another Stevie Wonder number, Creepin’.
What a great show by Lisa & Tony with Marcas and the band.!

To introduce the next act, Kelly was joined by singer extraordinaire Geena Mattox who shared a very heartwarming personal life story when she introduced the daughter she hadn’t seen since she was two weeks old ---that was 19 years ago when Geena gave her up for adoption. It really astounded the crowd to see that the beautiful and talented singer/songwriter/musician, Amy Kuckelman ---despite a lifetime apart, was following in her biological mother’s musical footsteps.
Chicago girl Amy gave a great performance at the piano where she sang and played her first number. Then she took center stage where she played acoustic guitar and sang the second of her two original mellow rock tunes. Amy’s wonderful performance and the reunited story that brought her to the open mic was summed up by many in the crowd with a “Wow, this is so amazing.”

Next, Kelly called out to the crowd saying she needed a "Sonny" for her number. She chose one of her big fans, Bill Bane, who once on stage appeared to really enjoy the moment during their off the cuff performance of Sonny and Cher’s, I Got You Babe.

Phenomenal jazz artist Vernell Brown, Jr. was back this week accompanied by the amazing conga player Doc T, a really extraordinary drummer, Donell Baldwin and the fabulous Mike Clark on keys.

The magnificent group performed

“13 Letters” a wonderful jazz piece that Vernell recorded on an album of the same title on the Verlita Records label. Vernell’s recording was inspired by such jazz greats as Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Watching the performance and listening to the divine sound of modern jazz by this outstanding group of musicians is truly a pleasurable experience. You can catch them at the Cottage Café at 4647 Paradise Road on Tuesday nights --- and at the Red Label Lounge, 332 W. Sahara just east of the Strip on Saturday, April 10.

Next up was the lovely singer Nesa Bates,  an old friend but a newcomer to the Open Mic Cabaret. Nesa did a terrific rendition of That’s What You Get, an alternative rock tune that was a hit single for the Australia band Paramore in 2008.

Another newcomer, the beautiful Melissa Cardella, is a singer who is also the daughter of the outrageously funny comedienne, the late Beverly “Pudgy” Wines. Melissa gave a beautiful performance of Pat Benatar’s, Love is a Battlefield.

The awesome pop pianists', Luis Sebastian played yet another powerful music medley this Monday night. Sebastian, as he prefers to be called,  never went to music academies for piano training but he had at least four private piano instructors over a period of time starting when he was very young and lots of help from his parents.  One of his fans on Monday night, Jonathan Bollas, was overhead urging Sebastion to enter the annual Liberace competion, telling him he was sure to win!!  Sounds like a good idea!

Nicholas Brooks brought a young man from Chicago, Isaiah Mercado to Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret to give his first performance in Las Vegas. The very talented 24 year-old singer just moved to Las Vegas two weeks ago. Isaiah was formally trained in voice and at the age of 12 he found out who Michael Jackson was and began imitating the super star. Isaiah has been singing professionally for just 2 years. His remarkable dance moves and resemblance to the youthful Michael added to his outstanding performance of Jackson’s, Human Nature. It won’t be long before this entertainer is booked!!!

Coming to the end of another exciting Cabaret show, Kelly introduced our own J.T. Thompson who had a cousin in the audience from his home state of Alaska. J.T. did a terrific performance of that wonderful song, Walking in Memphis, the signature song of singer/songwriter, Marc Cohn.

To wind up the night, our DJ/special effects guy and powerful singer, the versatile Kevin Cordova gave a commanding rendition of Billy Joel’s, New York State of Mind.

Thanks to the band led by the awesome Mike Clark on keys, the great Billy Adams on drums and the rockin’ Kevin Lyon on guitar. They always do an outstanding job for each and every singer they play for on Monday nights. Special thanks to the phenomenal guitarist Tony Drake for sitting in most of the night.

By the way, Tony Drake will soon be retiring one of his favorite guitars, the one (photo above) signed by famed jazz guitarist George Benson some years back when Tony was on tour with him and Lou Rawls. With the autograph starting to wear, Tony would like to preserve his treasured instrument while the famed signature is still very legible.
Kelly Clinton's Open Mic Cabaret, March 29, 2010, at the Bootlegger Bistro.
 
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Kelly Clinton's Open Mic Cabaret
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Bootlegger Italian Bistro
7700 Las Vegas Blvd South

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