The Buzz: Entertainment Blast + Celebrate Monday Night!!!

The awesome entertainer Kelly Clinton was back from New York Monday night to launch another evening of fabulous Cabaret entertainment at the Bootlegger Bistro. Kelly started the show rocking out on the wonderful Stevie Wonder tune, I Wish. After introducing band members, musical director, Mike Clark, drummer Billy Adams, Kevin Lyon on guitar and then DJ/special effects guy, Kevin Cordova and Bootlegger host, J.T. Thompson, Kelly thanked Mark O’Toole for guest hosting the show on May 17. Kelly followed that thank you up with an impersonation of her mother Ellie reporting on what a great job Mark did. Funny stuff, the crowd loved it!!!

Kelly Clinton is the Entertainment Director for the Stirling Club at Turnberry Towers. Kelly will be headlining at the Club every Friday and Saturday night throughout the month of June.




News Flash: Next Monday night, May 31, 2010 marks the 52nd weekly performance of Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro. Please join us for the First Anniversary Celebration!!!
SURPRISE CELEBRITY GUESTS WILL BE THERE!!!!!!!!

On with the show: First up at the mic was the fabulous singer from Buffalo, New York, Don Allen Hunley. Don’s the fellow who did a complete turnaround trip from Vegas to L.A. and back just to make it to the Bootlegger to perform last week at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret. He made it time to be last up at the mic but this Monday Don led the parade of Cabaret entertainers with his terrific performance of that great Blues number, Stormy Monday.

Then Don and Kelly went into a spontaneous jam which was really awesome!! The audience shouted a call for more! Don Allen Hunley wowed the crowd again with his fabulous rendition of the Billie Holiday version of God Bless the Child.

Great job Don!

Next came singer/guitarist Yukon Jack Lohman who was back for his second show at the Cabaret. Yukon Jack gave another terrific performance of Ring of Fire, by the Man in Black, Johnny Cash.
Yukon Jack Lohman is a newcomer to Vegas but a longtime professional singer who just closed an eight-year run performing his “Hillbilly Sing” show at California’s Sea World. Welcome to Vegas Jack!!!

The fantabulous Lannie Counts stepped on stage next to give another awesome Cabaret performance starting with a classic hit by the Temptations, My Girl. During that number Lannie also showed off some very cool Motown moves. Lannie Counts is an incredible singer/entertainer with an astonishing vocal range which he certainly verified during his next number, I Think I’m Going Out of My Head, by Little Anthony and the Imperials. Go Lannie, Go Lannie!!!

Right after that, Kelly announced there was a young lady in the house who was celebrating her 21st birthday. Kelly asked Mark O’Toole to make the day even more special for the lovely birthday girl Lindsey by singing her the Birthday song. Mark who just loves to ham it up just couldn’t resist standing up on a chair to sing the Happy Birthday tune to Lindsey!!!

Now it was Mark O’Toole on center stage with an fabulous performance of Maybe Next Time. Here’s a tidbit about Mark you may not know ---Mark O’Toole was the winner of Star Search in 1994!! He appeared at major Strip hotels for close to twenty years until he faced a battle with cancer that took him away from show biz for two long years.

Now the fantastic entertainer Mark O’Toole is back and appearing in the Ravello Lounge at the M Resort in Henderson on Saturday nights. Showtime 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

Speaking of Star Search we had another winner in the house, Martin Mancuso, AKA Ricochet Rabbit, formerly of the Footlockers dance team that made it to the win on the televised talent competition over 20 years ago. Martin Mancuso is best known now as one of the top musicians in Las Vegas. He started his Cabaret show by performing a beautiful clarinet solo of Feel Like Making Love.

Then down went the horn and with lightening speed Martin made the switch into his next act, his hilarious comedy take on the character Iron Man. There was no stopping this triple-threat performer who tore the house down when he ‘ricocheted’ into a lock-dance exhibition for his grand finale.

Martin Mancuso is an extraordinary entertainer!!! Martin is currently working on an upcoming Fremont Street Variety Show.

Kelly invited the duo group Finley-Jones up to the mic for their second time Cabaret performance. The duo combines the talents of 19-year-old guitarist Andrew Lopez and 17-year-old vocalist, Cassie Finley-Jones. The group gave a wonderful performance of Zombie, a protest song by the Irish band Cranberries from their 1994 album No Need To Argue. The alternative grunge/metal sound of the music was an opportunity for Andrew Lopez to rock out on the heavy guitar riffs while the lovely Cassie Finley-Jones sang out her wonderful vocal tones.

The next entertainer, song stylist Wendy Fleming never fails to astonish the crowd with her powerful soulful vocal style. Chicago girl Wendy blew us away with her vampy rendition of the song Ain’t No Sunshine by Soul Legend Bill Withers. Wendy Fleming is hot, hot, hot!!!  We want more!!

This was just about the time we heard a big voice from the sidelines say something like ‘I worked a lot of hours on this and I’m playing it now!’ The voice belonged to Kevin Cordova who had put together what may be described as a 'musical montage' consisting of fifteen different songs that played fast change styles ranging from Elvis to swing music to country and hard rock to opera and on and on.

Kelly Clinton was on center stage when Kevin turned up the sound that started off with an Elvis tune which 'Kelly the dancing machine' picked right up on and followed it through changing her dance routine just as fast as the song switched to another range which was every 15 to 30 seconds or so for 15 changes!!!! Can’t wait to see the tape. What an amazing premiere performance!!!! No rehearsal and Kelly only heard the track that Kevin created once before the show!!!! WOW!!!!!

Back to the open mic line up:
Michael Cagle was on fire when he gave his super powerful performance of And I’m Telling You from the hit movie Dream Girls.  Michael always sings his heart out whenever he performs. Soon the powerhouse vocals of Michael Cagle could very well be heard on radio stations all around the land!  Michael’s first original single will be released this summer on the Brooklyn West Records label and distributed by Universal Records.

Best of luck to you Michael Cagle.

Kelly’s husband, headliner Clint Holmes is back in town and it’s always a big treat for Cabaret goers and other entertainers to watch Clint perform. So after just a little bit of coaxing from Kelly and from the cheering crowd, Clint came on stage to “do a little something simple.” We all know very well that when the fantastic artist Clint Holmes presents 'a little something simple' like the song “Satin Doll” it will always turn into a knock-out performance. And it did!!! Thank you Clint!!!!

Clint Holmes will headline with Susan Anton, Dominick Allen and Martin Nievera in the group show, Vocal Soup at The Orleans Hotel Casino on June 12 and June 13.  Get your tickets now!

Back to the Cabaret…..This was certainly a star-studded show Monday night with our next performer being the sensational singer/entertainer and recording artist, Early Clover!!  Early Clover has appeared all over the world and is probably best-known in Vegas as the lead singer with the famous R&B/Rock and Roll group, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters. The legendary group has appeared at the Sahara Hotel Casino for 12 years running.  Early Clover is an awesome solo performer who gave us a wonderful rendition of the Sam Cooke tune, A Change Is Gonna Come. The song was released in about 1963 and soon became an anthem for the American Civil Rights Movement. Of course the crowd wanted to hear more from the magnificent entertainer so Early Clover went into his exciting presentation of the Otis Redding song, Try A Little Tenderness. Wow!

The star performer, Early Clover will headline this Sunday night, May 30, 2010, at Kelly Clinton’s Celebrity Spotlight at the Bootlegger Bistro. Showtime 8:30 pm to 10 pm. Call for dining room reservations now at 702-736-4939.

Kelly introduced “super stars” Lisa Gay and Tony Drake who were joined by their guest, the fantastic drummer Nat Scott and our own Maestro,  Mike Clark on the keys. Lisa started off their first number with a little anecdote about their hometown where the city’s own dance is called the L.A. Stomp. Lisa can really do those moves and she did the Stomp during the intro to the rockin song, Thank You.  Nat Scott did an amazing drum solo, then the awesome Tony Drake took his spot playing sizzling guitar. For their second number, the group performed You’ll Never Find by Lou Rawls.  Tony Drake toured for many years with Lou Rawls until the late, great singer’s passing in 2006. The music directed by master guitarist Tony Drake combined with vocal stylist Lisa Gay’s soft , sexy yet powerful tones and riffs always makes for a very exciting and captivating performance. Wow!! They did it again!

Lisa Gay with Tony Drake and the Gentlemen of Thrill performed at the United Negro College Fund event at the Sun Coast Hotel/Casino on Sunday May 23, 2010.

Song stylist Annetta Bonner was up next with her fabulous Jazz rendition of the popular song Autumn Leaves. Annetta has a great voice and she did a terrific job on this famous song that is considered both a pop standard and a jazz standard. Annetta Bonner, come back soon!!!!

America’s Got Talent contender, Billy Martin was in town for the second level of the competition so he dropped by to show us the kind of talent that got him a winning place in the Florida contest. Since Billy wanted to perform the John Paul Jones arrangement of Story of Life but didn’t have a track with him, he decided to sing A cappella. Billy Martin did great and we wish him the best of luck.

Lou Fossessca who hails from Youngstown, Ohio was a first time performer at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret. Like so many aspiring singers, Lou chose to sing with a track and he gave a nice performance of the classic tune, Smile.

Following Lou was Jerry G, a wonderful singer who recently picked up on his dream of becoming a professional performer, a dream that he left behind when he became a family man many decades ago. Jerry G has a full opera voice and he drops by every few months to perform at the open mic. This night he gave his soft, then powerful rendition of the Italian/English version of Sometimes I Dream.
Gotta love a guy with a heartfelt quest!!

Okay, we are coming to the last two performers of the evening and the battery on the camera is signaling recharge time. Oops --Our next singer, Louisa from Los Angeles will have to come back to perform again at the Cabaret. She did a fine job on the Blues tune, Fifth House. We did get a quick shot of Louisa this time but it could be a lot better.

Last up but never least is that wonderful guy DJ/Special effects man and powerful singer, Kevin Cordova, AKA Sexy Manuel.  Kevin gave a rockin’ performance of All Right Now.
Kevin can do it all!  Need a really awesome DJ for a wedding or special event?  Kevin Cordova is the man!

That's the wrap up on the 51st Monday night show.  Next Monday night, May 31st, is a celebration of the First Anniversary of the very successful show, Kelly Clinton's Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro!!!!! 

Get your reservations now at
702-736-4838........ See you there!!




MORE SNAPSHOTS 5-24-10

ALWAYS A BLAST!!!!!!

The Buzz: Another Incredible Evening of Entertainment

The sensational singer, Mark O’Toole was guest M.C. at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret Monday night, May 17. What a great job Mark did in presenting the long line-up of fabulous entertainers. Mark is Mr. Personality Plus and a really terrific performer. He opened the show with All I Do is Dream of You, by Michael Buble`. Then he quickly moved on to begin the presentation of an amazing evening of open mic entertainment.

Kelly Clinton invited longtime friend and popular Las Vegas entertainer Mark O’Toole to guest host her Open Mic Cabaret because she knew he would make an outstanding M.C. ---and that he did!!

Kelly and her husband, Clint Holmes were in New York this week. Clint Holmes performed at a very special event at the famed Friar’s Club where he had the opportunity to sing his original tribute song to his longtime idol Harry Belafonte who was at the dinner along with many other famous celebrities.  It was an exciting and very memorable evening for Kelly and Clint.    

First up at the open mic was singer/pianist, Michael Shane, who kicked off his act by rockin’ out the tune, Brown Eyed Girl, by Van Morrison. When the crowd called for “more” the popular Las Vegas musician, Michael Shane, changed the pace to one of his favorite tunes by his favorite artist, Your Song, by Elton John. Great opening for a another fabulous evening of Cabaret entertainers!!!!

The very striking redhead and multi-talented young woman, Kaci Machacyk was up next with her remarkable performance of the pop-rock number, Speechless, by Lady Gaga. Kaci the singer is also the host of Vegas 5W, a popular Las Vegas-based web cast featuring people and places around town.

Kaci Machacyk will premiere her show, A Night with Kaci Machacyk, in Kelly Clinton’s Celebrity Spotlight at the Bootlegger Bistro on Sunday, May 23, at 8:30 pm. Join her for a night of opera, standards pop and rock tunes with special guests David Marinelli, Patty Powers and Tommy Vinci. Call for reservations at 702-736-4939.

The awesome singer with an extraordinary vocal range, Lannie Counts was back this week to perform the popular Stevie Wonder song, I Just Called to Say I Love You. The crowd went wild, screaming for more!!! Mike Clark and Billy Adams did an amazing job playing for Lannie as he went on to show his truly extraordinary vocal range during his performance of Ooh Baby Baby, by Smokey Robinson.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, boy can Lannie Counts sing!!!

Mark O’Toole pointed out earlier that celebrity Frankie Scinta of the headliner show group The Scintas was in the house. Now it was time for Frankie Scinta to step into the spotlight where he gave us his terrific rendition of Fly Me to the Moon with the band. Frankie mentioned that this open mic night was “how Vegas was” in the early days and “Thank God the Bootlegger is still here” to keep this kind of entertainment alive. Then Frankie invited Mark up to do a number together and the duo gave us a great show with a few of their impressions injected into an impromptu rendition of Summer Wind. Oh what fun!!!!

The lovely and talented Laurie Cook was back this week singing her latest selection , the Shania Twain version of The Woman in Me. Laurie Cook was born in the U.S.A. and raised in Canada. She’s been taking her act on tour for the past ten years. Her style is a soulful mix of country and R&B that well suits her full-bottom voice and appealing raspy vocal sound.

The very popular pianist Luis Sebastian was back to perform following a few weeks hiatus. The Open Mic fans love “Sebastian” for his vibrant style, wide selection of music and always impeccable performances. Welcome back Luis Sebastian!

Luis Sebastian plays at special events, weddings and parties at Mandalay Bay. He is also available for private parties.

Keep your eye on this next young performer from New York, 18 year-old Lauren Diaz.  Lauren took to the grand piano for her powerful, soulful version of Dock of the Bay. Mark described her as ‘a little girl with a big voice’ when Lauren closed her “oh yeah!  --wow” performance.

I tell you this was such a fun night with so many new performers showing up from different parts of the country. The next fellow who bills himself T-Bone hails from Chicago and he seemed elated to have the opportunity to show his talent in Las Vegas. Obviously a big Elvis fan, the clean cut singer wore shades during his really terrific performance of Presley’s Devil in Disguise.

The variety of talent that shows up every week for Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret is truly amazing!
Our next performer, Fritz, who bills his act as One Man Band, sings and plays the harmonica and guitar. Fritz started his show with a beautiful instrumental version of the Italian song Arrivederci Roma .  Then Fritz sent out his second number to his wife as he began singing and playing Love Me Tender.

Fritz was born in Haiti and has been in the U.S.A. since the 1980’s. He performs his One Man Band show all over the country.

We always enjoy hearing from a singer/songwriter who brings an original tune to perform ---and promote it---  at the Monday night Cabaret. This week the artist, producer and arranger, Joe Ann Davis performed her latest work, a fabulous Blues number Bring Me Some Flowers. There wasn’t a woman in the audience that couldn’t relate to the message in the lyrics The tune is awesome and the singer, Joe Ann Davis gave a wonderful presentation of her marvelous piece.

Mark had no idea of who a performer named “Sexy Manuel” was until after he asked another young man if he was the guy! That made for a good laugh when “Sexy” ---as most of us know ---turned out to be our own DJ/special effects guy and singer, Kevin Cordova. Kevin gave a terrific performance of I’m Already There, a powerful and moving country song with a message from a man on the road to his family. Kevin sent it out to his own kids.
Love that Kevin!!

The next act is one Kelly Clinton would have loved to see!!! Joe Ann Davis, who we met earlier in the show,  brought along her 13 year-old grandson Kwiesi Davis to perform another original tune called Grandma Song. The genre, as I can best describe it, is very positive soft rap. The lyrics Kwiesi sang in praise of his Grandma’s teachings should be broadcast on television for young people and on the radio for all to hear. The absolutely charming performer, Kwiesi Davis beamed with love for his Grandma Joe Ann Davis who sang back-up on stage with him during his terrific performance. Gotta love talented kids and talented grandmas!

It was my first time seeing Darrell Turner perform at the Open Mic. Darrell’s brother is the popular headliner Earl Turner. Apparently,  talent runs in the Turner family. Darrell Turner gave us a fabulous performance of Wonderful World using his most excellent Louis Armstrong vocal style. We hope to see more of Darrell Turner soon.
Darrell Turner will perform at Nellis Air Force Base on June 19th.

Another wonderful and very moving presentation was next with a duo performance by 17 year-old vocalist Cassie Finley-Jones and 19 year-old guitarist Andrew Lopez of  Las Vegas. The original song by Andrew Lopez was written as a tribute to their high school friend who had passed away. Cassie sang beautifully as Andrew played the heartfelt homage tune, Free.
Cassie and Andrew, thank you for sharing your talents and your hearts with all of us.

The lady in red, the very powerful singer Donna Whiteside was up next. Donna sang with plenty of soulful spirit during her fantastic Gladys Knight number, Neither One of Us.
We will have more about Donna Whiteside next time.

Now it was time for our headliner Mark O’Toole to take his place in the spotlight once more. Mark led into his song selection with a brief rundown of his encounter with stage-four cancer, a diagnosis that offered him a mere eight months to live. Mark wasn’t about to give into the prognosis and he spent two years in the hospital fighting for his life. He stood before us recovered and back on the stage to offer his very appropriate vocal suggestion for living, the Tim McGraw song, Live Like You Were Dying.
Thank you Mark. Thank you God.

Back to the open mic performers: Next up at the mic was young musician/singer Brandon Knaff who sings and plays Folk, Soul and Rock music. Brandon gave a terrific guitar/vocal presentation of the rock tune, Beverly.
Brandon Knaff plays at venues all around Las Vegas.

I may not have mentioned it earlier, but the band got plenty of workout Monday night just as they did with the next performer,  singer/songwriter and musician ‘Yukon’ Jack Lohman. Jack, a big guy with a deep, rich baritone voice chose to perform a song by the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. The familiar hit tune, Ring of Fire, was written by June Carter before she married Cash. Her co-writer was Merle Kilgore.
Yukon Jack Lohman gave a really great performance singing and playing guitar.

The very interesting entertainer Jacqueline Armitage, who often appears at the Cabaret as herself or sometimes as a character she has created, chose to perform as the fine vocalist she is this Monday night. Using her operatic voice range, Jacqueline gave a wonderful presentation of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.

The phenomenal Lisa Gay graced us with her moving performance of Somewhere in My Lifetime, by soul singer/songwriter, Phyllis Hyman. With her awesome vocal range, song stylist Lisa Gay can do it all from Jazz to R&B to Soul to Standards. It’s always an exciting experience to see and hear Lisa Gay perform.
Lisa Gay and her husband, famed guitarist Tony Drake, recently performed in the Hit Parade show at the Sun Coast Hotel Casino.

The last performer up at the mic, Don Hunley, a visitor to Las Vegas from Buffalo, NY did a one-day turnaround drive to L.A. and back to Vegas just so he could participate Monday night at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret. The crowd was so glad he did arrive in time to give us a really fabulous performance of a favorite Blues number, Stormy Monday. Don Hunley really rocked !!
What a great closing act for one more night of great Cabaret entertainment!!!

Special thanks to our guest host, Mark O’Toole for doing such a great job!!! And as always special thanks to Kelly Clinton’s A-team, musical director, Mike Clark, drummer, Billy Adams, Bootlegger host, J.T. Thompson and DJ/Special effects guy, Kevin Cordova.

Mark O'Toole is headlining in the Ravello Lounge at the fabulous "M" Resort in Henderson on Saturday evenings from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.

Kelly Clinton will be back Monday night, May 24, to present another great Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro!!!!! 
Looking forward to seeing you all there!!!

Come on down!
Perform,
Promote Your Gig,

Dine In, Chill Out

It's always a BLAST!!!!

Kelly Clinton's Open Mic Cabaret
Bootlegger Bistro
7700 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Dining Room Reservations:

702-736-4939                                                                                              That's a wrap guys!!!!!