Count's Vamp'd KISSmas Tonight - Composers Room Rock N Roll Church Sunday

 {Blog Post Saturday - 12.21.24}

Repost - #NationalNewsMedia / #WorldwideEntertainmentNetwork #USAT 

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Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas!

So, what could be better than celebrating the Christmas season with a couple of nights of Christmas cheer? Beginning with tonight.

Christmas will be in full celebration inside Count's Vamp'd tonight with the KISSmas Jam. 

Kicking off the party at 9pm will be the KISS KRINGLES. Followed by a night that you won't soon forget! 

Hosted by (Santa?) Stoney Curtis. With Santa's helpers: Keith Robert War, Shon McKee, Barry Barnes, Robert Hussey, and many more Rock Stars.

Come and celebrate Christmas with friends, some really cool Kiss Classic Christmas tunes, delicious food, and some great-tasting adult Christmas cheer drinks.

Click on the link below for more info.

{KISSmas Jam Event Link}

Doors at 7:30pm - Show At 9pm ($5.00 At Door)

The party isn't over yet!

Sunday night (12.22.24) head on over to The Composers Room to attend The Rock N Roll Church service.

Four legendary musicians reunite to bring you an epic freeform jam session celebrating the heart and soul of classic rock.  

Who: The Clergy
⁃ Andrew Freeman (Last In Line, Offspring, Great White)
- Mitch Perry (MSG, Edgar Winter, Lita Ford, The Sweet, Asia)
- Jesse Charland (Hoobastank)
- Corky Gainsford (Otherwise, Blue Man Group)

Special Guest Appearances by:
- Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot)
- Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmstien, Dokken, Ted Nugent)
- Sarah Hester Ross
- Stoney Curtis (Stoney Curtis Band, Count’s 77)
- Ira Black (Bulletboys, Lizzy Borden)
- Barry Barnes (Count’s 77, Stoney Curtis Band)
- Brian Allen (Vicious Rumors)
- Brandon Paul (Lizzy Borden)

And maybe more?

 When: Sunday, December 22 8PM�

 Where: The Composers Room, 953 E Sahara Ave Unit E-1A, Las Vegas, NV 89104

 Cost: Just your passion for rock!
RSVP at https://thecomposersroom.com

The ultimate rock revival !!—don’t miss it! 

{Rock N Roll Church Event Link}

Two Big Nights Of Rock N Roll Music With A Touch Of KISSmas Cheer. :-)

Only Las Vegas!

GE

How To Get In The Spotlight If You're New To The Music Industry?

Being in and around the music business for as long as I have. I'm often asked by musicians new to the business what they must do to get a piece of the spotlight in the music industry.

My short answer to them is to be in the right place at the right time. 

But there's way more that goes along with that short simple premise!

Getting noticed in the music industry takes a combination of talent, hard work, and smart strategy. 

And a little bit of luck. And like I said earlier in my blog. Being in the right place at the right time.

Here are a few things that help someone new to the music business gain some much-needed visibility.

You've got to hone your craft

Practice-Practice-Practice. Make sure that your music, performance skills, and your overall artistry stand out.

Develop a unique sound or image that differentiates you from others.

Build an Online Presence through social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to share your music, behind-the-scenes content, and personal stories.

Upload your music to Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. Focus on playlists for exposure.

You can create a professional website with your music, bio, upcoming shows, and contact info.

Go to music industry mixers, trade shows, and open mics. Support other bands by attending their shows.

Work with other artists, producers, and songwriters. Partnerships can amplify your exposure.

Interact with fans and other musicians online and offline. 

Perform and get seen! With open mics, small gigs, or as an opening act for established bands.

Submit applications to perform at music festivals. Performing in public gets you seen.

Use Technology and Marketing to your advantage.

Music Videos: High-quality visuals can make your music more shareable.

You can use Google and social media ads to target potential fans.

Build a mailing (Email) list to keep your fans updated about future shows, new song releases, or special dates.

Approach Music Professionals

Reach out to managers and agents who align with your genre and goals.

Submit your music to labels or seek out independent labels to start.

Participate in talent competitions, songwriting contests, or online platforms like SoundCloud, ReverbNation, or Bandcamp. 

Get to know the people that support the local music scene. Like writers, photographers, podcasters, and bloggers (Like Me) :-)

Most importantly, Stay Consistent and Patient. Success often takes time. 

Keep creating, releasing, and promoting your work regularly. Daily if possible.

Don't slow down. 

Once you've got the music shakers (Managers, agents, promoters) and the fan's attention. You've got to keep it! 

Any questions or comments about this blog? Please comment below.

GE

World Traveled Rock Star Ira Black Gives Back To His Community With His Guitars For Kids Charity.

 I love writing about music. Especially when I get to write "Feel Good" stories about Rock Stars and the music industry.

Today is about an awesome music-making Rock Star that has a heart of gold.

Today I'm talking about Ira Black. 

An American Heavy Metal Guitarist and Songwriter. Ira Black has played in over 60 bands since the early 1980s. That's over four decades of heavy metal thrashing! 

Ira has a Killer Resume of bands that he's worked with such as I Am Morbid, Westfield Massacre, Metal Church, Vicious Rumors, Heathen, Lizzy Borden, Dokken, and the Bullet Boys, among others. 

Ira is a very busy musician. But makes time to give back to his community and to the music industry through his "Guitars For Kids" charity. 

In my fifty-plus years in the music industry media. I've seen many young children express their interest in music. However, because of their family finances, they can't afford to purchase the expensive equipment needed to pursue music. With Ira Black's "Guitars For Kids" Charity. It makes it possible for these children to make their music dreams come true!

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For kids who want a free guitar. 

Follow the link below to his new website.

https://bit.ly/Guitars-For-Kids

At the top where it says:

WRITE YOUR LETTER

Insert your email address
(can be assisted by parent)

Follow subject theme:
Why do YOU want a GUITAR

Then write Ira in the message section telling him why you want a guitar and click send.

No age limit and please only write one letter per kid.

You can call Ira GUITAR SANTA!

Please share & pass this along to a child (parent) that you think wants a guitar.

 "I'm looking forward to helping the World of music grow for the future"

~Ira Black~

Music fans all around the world including myself Salute You Ira Black!

You make the music industry proud!

GE 

Las Vegas Kings Hold Initial Tryouts Workout Session For The Upcoming 2025 Professional Arena Football League Season!

 {Las Vegas Kings Insider}

12.7.24

(Mater Academy East Las Vegas)

The Las Vegas Kings 1st workout - tryouts for the 2025 Season was a huge success!'

The King's coaching staff was busy making adjustments while teaching the system to the new players. Warmups, stretching, speed and agility drills, offensive and defensive formations, and running plays and formations took up the three-hour session.

The final tryout for the Las Vegas Kings will be in late January. 

With the season beginning on March 16, 2025.

I'll be back often with Kings updates and Information.

GE

** Sponsorships Available For The 2025 Season. Contact Head Coach Chris Wallace For Details.

Las Vegas Kings Official Website

My Friday Night At The Bonfire LV With The Saints Of Las Vegas

 Sometimes you just got to chill. With good friends, food and refreshments, and some awesome music. That night came last night!

 I want to thank The Saints of Las Vegas for a fun, relaxing, amazing, awesome night of music last night! You're fun to watch, and awesome to listen to.

The Bonfire Las Vegas is Tops! It offers tasty food and drinks, a friendly staff, and a relaxing atmosphere!

What A Rock'N night

The Saints Of Las Vegas

{About The Band}

The Saints of Las Vegas is a high-energy rock band based in Las Vegas. They are known for their engaging performances and a mix of classic rock, modern rock, and original music. The band features seasoned musicians (Bad A$$ Rock Stars) who have been part of the vibrant Las Vegas music scene for years. They frequently perform at local venues, casinos, and special events, delivering an electrifying show for rock enthusiasts.

 They RAWK!

Go See These Guys!

GE

My Crash Course On How To Promote A Concert Or Musical Event

Being a music and entertainment journalist for two large media companies. And writing my own syndicated blog. I'm usually up to date about who's performing around town.

I can be scheduled to cover a band or an event months out from their performance.

But there are times when I have to look to see who's playing just like fans do.

Usually at the spur of the moment.

I have two go-to sites that I can count on to see who's performing.

My first go-to is the Facebook group "Vegas Rock Scene". It's up to date and is awesome for finding out what's going on in the Las Vegas Local Music Scene!

Vegas Rock Scene

My 2nd go-to for music and entertainment events is the "Events" tab on Facebook.

Then I check my favorite bands and venue's social media pages. 

There's nothing more disgusting than to find out one of your favorite bands played and you didn't know anything about it. It's happened to me quite a bit of times!

This leads me to the topic of my blog today. 

How To Promote A Concert Or Musical Event

Promoting a concert or musical event effectively requires a mix of strategic planning, creativity, and leveraging the right platforms. Here are some helpful hints I've learned over the years that might help guide your upcoming musical events and band performances in the right direction.

Pre-Event Planning 

Define Your Audience

Identify the target audience based on the genre, artist, or band.

Example: Fans of rock, Van Halen enthusiasts, or local music lovers.

Set Goals and Budget

Outline what you want to achieve (attendance, revenue, exposure) and allocate a budget for promotion.

Create an Event Identity

Design a captivating name, logo, and tagline.

Ensure visuals align with the event's theme (e.g., bold, energetic for rock shows).

Promotion Strategies

Digital Marketing

Social Media:

Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Post teasers, behind-the-scenes content, and artist interviews.

Run paid ads targeting your audience.

Collaborate with influencers or local bloggers.

Event Pages:
Create a page on Facebook, Eventbrite, or other platforms.

Include event details, ticket links, and artist bios.

Email Campaigns:
Send invites to your mailing list.

Offer early-bird discounts or VIP packages.

Local Outreach

Posters and Flyers:

Place them in high-traffic areas like coffee shops, music stores, and community boards.

Radio Stations:

Partner with local stations to run ads or offer tickets as giveaways.

Collaborate with Venues:

Let the venue promote your event through their channels.

Community Engagement

Street Teams:

Recruit fans or volunteers to spread the word.

Partner with Local Businesses:

Offer cross-promotions or discounts with nearby stores.

Attend Networking Events:

Spread the word at trade shows or music festivals.

Public Relations

Press Releases:

Send to local newspapers, music blogs, and magazines.

Interviews:

Arrange interviews with the artists on local TV or podcasts.

Exclusive Content

Share live-streamed rehearsals or acoustic sets.

Release a special video message from the artist inviting fans.

Engage During the Event

Use a live hashtag for social media.

Encourage attendees to share posts and stories.

Offer photo ops with branded backdrops.

Finally How To Handle The Event After It Takes Place.

Post-Event Follow-Up

Thank attendees on social media.

Share photos and videos from the event.

Collect feedback through surveys to improve future events.

A few words from the music artists about the event would be nice!

It can be a lot of work, but a well-produced show is priceless!

GE

Fan's Crazy Requests To Rock Stars

 Fans have asked famous rock stars for some wild and outrageous things over the years! 

Here are a few memorable examples:

Gene Simmons (KISS)

Gene Simmons once claimed a fan asked him to autograph her baby! He reportedly hesitated but ended up signing the baby’s diaper instead.

Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)

Ozzy has had countless strange encounters, but one fan supposedly asked him to bite the head off a bat together during a meet-and-greet. (This, of course, ties into Ozzy’s infamous bat incident, which he maintains was accidental!)

Slash (Guns N' Roses)

A fan asked Slash to sign their prosthetic leg. The fan actually detached it on the spot, handed it over, and Slash obliged with no hesitation.

Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)

Tyler was once approached by a fan asking him to officiate their wedding. Though unconventional, Tyler is known for being game for these kinds of requests.

The Rolling Stones

Mick Jagger once told a story about a fan sneaking into their hotel and asking to simply sleep on the floor of their room because they "just wanted to breathe the same air as the band."

David Lee Roth (Van Halen)

Roth once had a fan present him with a life-sized cake shaped like himself—complete with edible gold chains and flowing blond hair.

These wild and crazy fan requests are so hard to believe that I asked some local Rock Stars what fans had requested from them. Here is what they said.

Requests for signing body parts.

How about a date?

Asking for songs that the band doesn't perform.

Asking rock stars to talk to a friend on a cell phone.

Fans asking for private information (Email, cell phone number)

Have sex with a fan's wife.

Female groupies asking rock stars what they're doing later?

One female fan asked to have sex with a rock star while the rest of the band members watched.

As a local concert and music photographer, I thought that I had heard them all. 

Well, I Haven't!

GE

Let The Music Play On Play On!

 

Let's face it. Being a Rock Star demands your full attention. Mind, Body, And Spirit.

But how do the older Rock Stars do it?

Some are in their 60s and 70s, and some are even older!

Like The Ageless Cowboy, Willie Nelson (Age 91) 

Here are some examples of what they do to continue to tour.

Aging rock stars continue to tour by balancing their passion, with physical care, and adaptation. Many embrace lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and moderation. Mick Jagger, for instance, follows a strict fitness regimen to maintain his energetic performances. Similarly, Ringo Starr and Keith Richards credit staying active and learning as key motivators. They view aging as a continuation of their craft rather than a limitation.

Adaptation is also essential. Some artists, like Joni Mitchell, who has faced significant health challenges, find ways to perform selectively or focus on other creative outlets. For others, touring becomes less about youthful energy and more about connecting with fans and reflecting on their legacies. Financial considerations also play a role, as the live music industry remains lucrative for many of these rock star veterans.

​Ultimately, these musicians challenge stereotypes about aging, demonstrating that passion and creativity can thrive well into later life. Their resilience and adaptability offer inspiration to fans and a redefinition of what aging can mean in the music world​. 

Music Does Make The World Go 'Round.

GE

Famous Celebrities & Rock Stars That Call Las Vegas Their Home

 Being in the media working around famous celebrities and Rock Stars. I often get asked by my friends back home, and by out-of-towners. Do I Ever See Any Famous Celebs or Rock Stars Walking Around?

Besides the famous Celebs and Rock Stars that I work with. Here is a list of well-known celebrities and Musicians (Rock Stars) that call Las Vegas their home.

Rock Stars and Musicians:

Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe): The legendary frontman owns a home in Las Vegas and is often seen at local events and venues.

Carlos Santana: Santana has a residence in Vegas and regularly performs at House of Blues.

Gene Simmons (KISS): Simmons and his family have been known to split their time between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Wayne Newton: Mr. Las Vegas himself has called the city home for decades, living at his famous estate, Casa de Shenandoah.

David Lee Roth (Van Halen): Roth has spent significant time in Vegas, especially during his solo career.

Tommy Lee: The drummer from Mötley Crüe has a home in the city and enjoys the nightlife scene.

Celebrities:

Nicolas Cage: Cage has owned several properties in Las Vegas and is known for his eclectic real estate taste.

Penn & Teller: The iconic duo lives in Las Vegas and has a long-running residency at the Rio Hotel.

Celine Dion: Dion lived in Vegas for years during her Caesars Palace residency.

Criss Angel: The magician resides in Vegas and performs regularly at Planet Hollywood.

Mike Tyson: Tyson has made Vegas his home and often appears at events and boxing matches. Like Jake Paul?

Here's a very cool article "Spotlighting" Celebrity Homes In Las Vegas < Click Here >

Many of these stars enjoy the city’s unique blend of privacy and 24-7 entertainment.

Las Vegas Is "The Entertainment Capital Of The World"

GE

Las Vegas Guitar Trade Show - RockGodz Hall Of Fame Ceremony 2 Announced For May 30th Through June 1st 2025

 Just Announced!

Put these dates on your calendar!

May 30th - June 1st, 2025

Las Vegas Guitar Trade Show

RockGodz Hall Of Fame

Las Vegas Guitar Trade Show Facebook

RockGodz Hall Of Fame Facebook

Silverton Hotel Casino

In case you missed the (Inaugural) 1st Las Vegas Guitar Trade Show in November 2024.

Here is just a tiny bit of what you missed!

(Click On The Far Bottom Right Icon On The Video Player To Enlarge The Screen) 

I'll be posting all Las Vegas Guitar Trade Show and RockGodz Hall of Fame updates and Information right here on my blog.

GE

What Makes A Great Tribute Band?

 Last night I went to Arizona Charlies to see Three Lock Box, The Ultimate Sammy Hagar Tribute.

They were amazing! (As Usual) 

Their sound and their visual entertainment onstage are awesome!

I'm starting to sound like a music review blogger, aren't I?

So, for my blog today. I'm going to touch on what makes a tribute band good (Great)!

A great tribute band captures the essence of the original artist while delivering a memorable live experience. Here are some elements that contribute to making a Tribute Band a success.

Authenticity and Attention to Detail

Sound: Accurate replication of the band’s music, including tone, instrumentation, and vocal style.

Visuals: Costumes, stage presence, and mannerisms that mirror the original band.

Setlist: Playing hits and deep cuts that resonate with fans.

Talent and Skill

Highly skilled musicians who can perform challenging material convincingly.

A charismatic frontperson who embodies the energy and persona of the original artist.

Passion and Respect for the Music

Genuine love for the band being honored translates into an energetic and heartfelt performance.

Respect for the legacy of the original music, avoiding parody or mockery.

Audience Engagement

Interacting with the crowd in a way that brings fans into the experience.

Creating moments that feel like a “real” concert from the band being tributed.

Professionalism and Dedication

Commitment to rehearsing, improving, and staying true to the sound and performance style.

Strong stage production, including lights, sound quality, and props.

Marketing and Branding

A memorable band name and branding that aligns with the original artist’s image.

Social media presence, high-quality promotional materials, and networking with venues and festivals.

I'd say that Three Lock Box hits every point on my list of elements that contribute to a Tribute Band's success, and more! Check out their links below and go see them!

GE

Three Lock Box At Arizona Charlies

Three Lock Box Facebook

Three Lock Box Instagram

Three Lock Box Official Website

Arizona Charlies Hotel Casino