The Buzz: Kelly Clinton & All That Talent!!!!

The Bootlegger was packed when Kelly Clinton opened her Monday night Cabaret. Kelly was right on when she welcomed everyone to her open mic show, “Where talented people gather.”  The singer/comedienne and very talented all-around-entertainer, Kelly Clinton started the night off with a tune called Simple Song,  co-written by her husband, headliner Clint Holmes and brilliant musician, Davy Nathan.  It’s a fun song that gets the audience to join right in as part of the show ---nobody connects with the crowd better than Kelly Clinton!

In addition to her regular schedule of performances, Kelly Clinton put together a special presentation for her appearance as featured artist at the Western Region Conference of the American Music Therapy Association, Inc., on April 8, at Alexis Park. She wowed the audience when she kicked off the entire event with her outstanding show ---so much so, they’d like Kelly to perform at their national conference. Way to go, Kelly!!!

Wow!  Headliner Jimmy Hopper was the first open mic performer of the evening.  Jimmy, a fantastic entertainer/singer/musician, played the grand piano and sang Billy Joel‘s,  She’s Always a Woman to Me.  Jimmy Hopper creates a lot of excitement whenever he performs so the crowd wasn’t about to let him off the stage without a second number. The super-talented Jimmy chose a soft ballad using his powerful range during his outstanding performance of The Music of the Night, from Phantom of the Opera. The crowd roared as they gave this phenomenal entertainer a standing ovation!

If you haven’t seen Jimmy’s show --- this dynamic and versatile showman performs rock, classical, Broadway and opera music like nobody else--- do catch him next time he headlines in Vegas.  Jimmy Hopper is currently appearing four nights a week in Newport Beach, California. Catch him at The Ritz Garden Restaurant and/or the Palm Terrace/Island Hotel. Jimmy will head for the East Coast next month. He’ll be in Atlantic City at Harrah’s on May 6 and the House of Blues on May 7. http://www.jimmyhopper.com/

Kelly Clinton did a little dance routine (she is so loose!) before bringing on powerful singer Patty Powers and her partner, musician David Marinelli. This was the couple’s second performance at Kelly’s Open Mic Cabaret since they moved to Las Vegas about two months ago. Patty belted out the blues during her hot rendition of that great standard Stormy Monday.  David accompanied her on piano with Kelly’s awesome band behind them. Kelly joined them on stage saying ‘that made me feel sooo good’ ---her clever cue to start their encore number.

David really hit those keys while Patty sang during their rockin’ performance of the James Brown tune, I Feel Good.

Oh, Mama Niecy was here! That meant plenty of hot blues and lots of soul on Monday night ---or any other night this incredible entertainer takes to the stage. Mama and the band took right off with her awesome rendition of the Shuffle Blues.  A true story teller and animated songstress, Mama Niecy uses everything ---from her spoken words to her hands to her facial expressions to her one-on-one play with the audience--- to bring her music to life. For her second number, she tore the house down with her astonishing performance of  At Last,  a popular song recorded by such greats as Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion and many others.  Mama Niecy’s show wound up with the crowd on their feet giving her a standing ovation. Oh Mama, you’re so fine!

Kelly introduced the next singer, Lucie Knight, as ‘One who sings like an angel’ a beautiful woman who has been through a tough year “But now’s she back!” With family in the audience, Lucie said this was such a special evening for her as she recalled some of today’s popular Vegas artists she’d run into back some 30 years ago when she lived in upstate New York, attended the Eastman School of Music and sang at open mic clubs like this one. Lucie couldn’t be happier to present her fabulous performance of Memories...... We love Lucie!

All types of entertainers ---from veterans to the very young--- come to perform at Kelly’s Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro. So this Monday night Kelly welcomed the family act, Goodwater, to the stage. Big brother Michael Darby, age 34, and his two 9 year-old siblings, brother Nicholas Kaehler and sister, Cybelle Kaehler, (two of the Kaehlar triplets) performed one of their original songs, Do What’s Right.  Cybelle delighted the crowd with her lovely voice while Michael played piano, accompanied by percussion musician Nicholas. Mom was beaming as she sat in the audience watching the show with her other 9 year-old daughter. 

Hilarious comedian/singer, Willie Asbury was back with his groovy dance moves and song style when he opened with the Barry White tune, You’re the First, the Last. The talented comedian impressionist did an amazing job with his parody impersonations of “American Presidents” Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and “Rappin” Ronald Reagan. Really funny stuff! More new material followed with Willie’s take on getting stopped by the police in major cities across America. He wound up his show with a Michael Jackson song and dance routine that amazed the crowd. (Willie’s a big guy) Willie Asbury is a seasoned entertainer who has performed on major television comedy specials and at multitudes of venues during his twenty-year career,
Willie’s newest spot is at the Four Queens in Downtown Las Vegas on Friday nights at 7:30 sharp. The weekly gig is a streaming live comedy web cast with the potential of  becoming a ‘live from Las Vegas’ variety show. For free tickets and more information go to http://www.streamingliveinlasvegas.com/.

Lisa Gay and Tony Drake arrived with the Gentlemen of Thrill, jazz pianist, Marcas Johnson, and newcomer to the open mic cabaret, bass player/singer, Stanley Butler. Lisa and Tony always bring something new to the stage whenever they perform in Kelly’s show. With the awesome Mike Clark and Billy Adams playing with the four member group, Lisa Gay and Thrill got their show off to a great start with Lisa’s hot performance of Boogie Oogie Oogie, a disco number recorded in 1978 by A Taste of Honey. As always Lisa was terrific on vocals ----what a great voice and style she has ---and oh those moves! The fabulous guitarist, Tony Drake led the “Gentleman” band. Each one of the incredible musicians took a spotlight solo. It was a marvelous show of extraordinary talent. On the second number, Lisa and Tony featured awesome singer/musician, Stanley Butler, who ‘rocked’ the house on a tune called “Rock Me Baby.” ………
Lisa Gay, Tony Drake and the Gentlemen of Thrill are headlining at Kelly Clinton’s Celebrity Spotlight on Sunday, April 25, at the Bootlegger Italian Bistro. Showtime 8:30 pm. Get your reservations now at 702-736-4939.

Kelly introduced musician extraordinaire, Luis Sebastian, who played a vibrant medley of Sinatra tunes including, In Other Words, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and Night and Day. The youthful, 28 year-old pianist is originally from Argentina but has lived in Las Vegas for 20 years. Sebastian performs at the Mandalay Bay.  He's played there for nearly 10 years at corporate events, conventions, weddings and other special events.  The open mic audience loves Sebastian. There’s high hope he will make it to the big time!!

When Kelly brought out veteran entertainer Gilly Brady, hearing and watching this man sing was an awesome experience ---much like enjoying a 'live' flashback to 'vintage Vegas.'  Those were the days when Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., the rest of  The Rat Pack and other headliners and show people, would jam together after hours in the clubs and lounges around town. Gilly gave his performance in a style reminiscent of those good old days with his rendition of  It’s Almost Like Being in Love. Although Gilly changed careers long ago to become a casino host, he was so at ease stepping up to the mic and singing with the band it was as though the stage has always been his true 'home sweet home.'   For his second number Gilly sang the soft and pretty tune, Just in Time, probably best known as a Tony Bennett hit in 1956. Gilly’s still got it!

As the night was getting late, Andrea Li, the next performer took the crowd by surprise with her unbelievable presentation of Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from the musical, Phantom of the Opera. The audience was so taken by this beautiful lady’s extraordinary voice they wanted more! Andrea originates from China but came to Las Vegas via Chicago. She looked lovely dressed in traditional Chinese fashion and excelled in her encore performance of a second piece from Phantom of the Opera, All I Ask of You. This was her first appearance at Kelly’s Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret. The hope is Andrea Li will be back soon!!!!

Kelly followed Andrea’s lead holding a long operatic note with DJ/Kevin Cordova nearby posed to catch her as she did her comedic slapstick fall. Kevin always misses the catch but he’s right there on the pick up.

Back on her feet, Kelly was ready to perform PMS Blues, the popular original she wrote “back in the 1900’s.” The band was ready and at her special request, rocking guitarist, Tony Drake sat in. The animated antics of this powerful singer doing “her own thing” always gets the men chuckling and the women screaming with laughter. Kelly was amazing!!!! Tony Drake, along with musical director, Mike Clark and that terrific drummer, Billy Adams, were right there for her.

You may have seen the next performer in last summer’s production of Once On This Island at Spring Mountain Ranch ---or maybe right here at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret a time or two. If so, then you already know what a wonderful singer/theatrical performer Rodney Arnett is. On Monday night, the talented Rodney used his fantastic vocal skills to present an amazing rendition of My Funny Valentine. His second number, Nature Boy , was a great presentation of a song truly enhanced by Rodney’s vocal instrumentation. Rodney Arnett is looking forward to a really bright future that includes performing in the New York Harlem Production tour of the great musical, Porgy and Bess. To add to his credits, Rodney has a Masters in Voice from UNLV and is a member of the Roger Wagner Chorale, a choir “known as America’s premier vocal ensemble…… with an enviable international reputation.” Wow!!

Winding up another great evening of entertainment, DJ/special effects guy and powerful singer, Kevin Cordova (left)stepped up to give his great performance of  Just Once,  by James Ingram.

Following Kevin was comedian, Derrick J. Stroman (right) of Las Vegas

Locals……Derrick has appeared all over  the LA comedy circuit and he gave an entertaining open mic performance Monday night.

Singer and Bootlegger host, J.T. Thompson did a fantastic presentation of the beautiful ballad, Ireland, co-written and recorded by Garth Brooks.

Following J.T. and last up at the mic was gentleman singer, Tommy Lombardi. Tommy gave a beautiful performance of the great standard, Summer Wind, a song recorded by Frank Sinatra back in the 1960’s.

The one and only, Kelly Clinton joined her awesome "A-team" ---J.T. Thompson, Mike Clark, Billy Adams and Kevin Cordova--- on stage to thank them once more for a great job.  And of course, she sent out a big thank you to the crowd for sticking around to see all the performers.

And so another great evening of outstanding entertainment came to a close ---but there will be a lot more fabulous talent next Monday night, April 12, at Kelly Clinton's Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro on the South Strip.  Showtime:  9 pm.  Get your dining reservations at 702-736-4939.

Please Join Us! 
Perform, promote your gig, dine in, chill out---Have A Blast!!!
http://www.kellyclinton.com/

A few more pics:  4-5-2010

WHAT A BLAST!!!!!!!!