Chris Carney: Freelance Writing Services

The 10 Most Influential Acts in Las Vegas History

2010-12-27T17:55:00.000-05:00

A Hauntingly Ghoul Time

2010-10-13T13:48:00.000-04:00

Circus Circus 7 p.m.-midnight Oct. 10, 14-17, 21-24 • 28-31, $34.95, $49.95 VIP express pass. 702.794.3939

Fright Dome transforms theme park into supernatural spectacle

By Chris Carney

Las Vegas has long been known for doing things better than everyone else. Spend some time in the desert city and you’ll likely gamble in one of the most luxurious poker rooms on the planet, enjoy a juicy steak prepared by one of the world’s best chefs or rest your head on a Egyptian cotton pillow at one of the world’s largest hotels.

With its background in great shows and extravagant sets, it is little wonder that the annual extravaganza known as Fright Dome continues to rank among the scariest Halloween attractions in the nation.

Housed in the Adventuredome theme park at Circus Circus, Fright Dome first opened in 1993 and has terrified and entertained thrill seekers ever since. Upwards of 60,000 souls venture through Fright Dome each year, seeking to be scared to near death by macabre villains from the worst nightmares that film and literature have to offer.

The brainchild of entrepreneur and businessman Jason Egan, Fright Dome has surged to ever-increasing heights of terror, while employing upwards of 300 actors to ply their talents.
Fright Dome’s blood, gore and creepy theme music can turn what may be the most kid-friendly place on the Strip into a chill fest that will continue to infect dreams and engender nightmares long after visitors head home.

Even those who have patronized the Adventuredome will be hard pressed to see the junior-friendly Frog Hopper ride or airplane carousel of the Thunderbirds ride underneath the layers of fright at the “Hillbilly Hell” or Saw-themed attractions.

In some ways, Fright Dome simply zeroes in on one of the primal emotions that many Vegas gamblers feel every time they hit the casino. Wait the few seconds that become hours as your dealer reveals the card that will make or break your blackjack, or stare across the table at a poker fiend you just know is bluffing, maybe, and you’ll know the heart-stopping, sweat-inducing fear-turned-thrill that has long made them question that high limit poker lounge.

Featuring five haunted houses including My Bloody Valentine, the previously mentioned Saw and the all new zombie-inspired Flesh Feast, Fright Dome dredges fears from the roots of our unconscious.
Live shows top off the entire experience. Merlin Award-winning magician Dixie Dooley, whose mystical illusions have wowed Las Vegas for more than 30 years, takes a haunted twist. Marilyn Manson double Dan Sperry, the Anti-Conjurer, combines the surreal, the macabre and the just plain odd into an extravaganza that was born for this time of year. Finish the evening off with a visit to Roby Cody, whose devolutions into the odd just may make him the coolest magician on Earth.

If you’re looking for anything gory, twisted and terrifying, take a jaunt over to Fright Dome, and pray that you escape with soul and sanity intact.

Comedy Without Shame: No topic is taboo for Chelsea Handler

2010-09-25T02:18:00.000-04:00

By Chris Carney

It would be far too easy, and quite condescending, to suggest that Chelsea Handler is a man trapped in a woman’s body. Sure her humor is crass, filled with vulgarities and topics traditionally associated with men on a guy’s night out. She blatantly professes her numerous sexual conquests in a manner that requires a high five from her nearest bro. She even relishes a deep affection for drinking and other habits traditionally deemed unladylike. Yet, none of these “manly” traits take away from her inherent femininity and womanly appeal. In fact, these traits combine, like a well-portioned cocktail, to make Handler one of the coolest chicks on the planet.

Women love her. Men want to be her. Women and men alike want to be with her. Handler defines the term “Renaissance woman,” even though she’d likely berate you for calling her such while sipping on the dirty martini she stole from you.

Raised in Livingston, N.J., Handler is the youngest of six children parented by a Jewish father and a Mormon mother. This melding of cultural and religious influences birthed a unique worldview that is both at odds with tradition and all inclusive of it. No topic is immune to her sarcastic rants, visceral diatribes and self-deprecating banter.

Handler began her professional life on the comedy circuit that has introduced us to some of America’s funniest people. From there she made the rounds on shows such as Girls Behaving Badly, The Tonight Show and The View. She became so sought after that she was able to turn down a gig on Dancing With the Stars. Her memoir, My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands brought her national acclaim. Her second book, Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, secured her fame. The books, coupled with her top-rated E! show, Chelsea Lately, have pushed her onto the A-list. She even won a Bravo A-List Award to prove it.

It is her consistently hilarious skewering of celebrity culture, current events and general nonsense on Chelsea Lately that has cemented her place as a dominant force in late-night television, a realm traditionally dominated by the men she so ably manipulates.

Is it any wonder that America is fascinated with Handler? In an age where equality is deemed to be a given, why do her antics upset some and thrill others? Perhaps because she exposes a hidden truth, that despite our progress there are still avenues to be explored and stereotypes to be torn down.
No one seems more capable of shining the light on these hidden areas of modern-day life than the woman who once said, “I think we can all agree that sleeping around is a great way to meet people.”

Beginning to Fly: Vampire Weekend’s rapid ascent powered by multifarious inspiration

2010-09-25T02:11:00.002-04:00

By Chris Carney
Formed in 2006 while expanding their minds at Columbia University, Vampire Weekend took their name from a short film made by singer Ezra Koenig. While the film appears clunky, amateurish and typical of college-made films, the band it helped spawn defies easy classification.
Heavily influenced by African pop music and American classical, Vampire Weekend’s sound is nearly impossible to categorize. Each measurement, opinion or label attached is quickly exposed as unfit or insufficiently wide.
Referring to their sound as “Upper West Side Soweto,” after the Johannesburg neighborhood, the band inspires emotions that run the gamut from happy to odd to bewildered. Listen to their self-titled debut and you just may feel like wrapping yourself in a tiger-print Snuggie while sipping some West African coffee.

Despite, or perhaps because of, their oddly varied influences, Vampire Weekend has been lauded with accolades—Spin named them the Best New Band of 2008 even before their debut hit the shelves. Christian Lander, infamous for his website Stuff White People Like, dubbed them the “whitest band” and Australian music magazine Triple J included four songs from their debut in their Top 100 for 2008.

Despite their sudden fame, the boys of Vampire Weekend haven’t let their accomplishments cloud them. Their second album, Contra, surged to the top of the Billboard charts, and just like that, they had gone from an obscure indie foursome to serving as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. They were now a band everybody either knew, wanted to know or was purposely ignoring with a “too cool for school” attitude.

Everyone has friends that wanted to hate Vampire Weekend, just as they’d previously done with fantasy football, Facebook and Pandora. One wonders just how long it’ll take before their iPods are blaring the joyous pop music of these Ivy League grads.

Vocalist Ezra Koenig may just be a reincarnation of Buddy Holly. His quick, staccato vocals and adrenaline-filled delivery are ultra-reminiscent of the horn-rimmed spectacled legend of the ’60s.
Like Holly, Vampire Weekend has reached the peak of fame very quickly and to date the burden of fame has been well worn. They’ve toured extensively with the likes of the Shins, are managed by the same group that helped the White Stripes dominate the world and have been featured in the Will Ferrell movie Step Brothers, the BBC show The Inbetweeners and on both Guitar Hero 5 and LEGO Rock Band.

Yes, Vampire Weekend has made it. They’ve crested the charts, become the darlings of the indie music crowd and likely been proposed to by innumerable hipster girls in every town they’ve performed in.
Not at all bad for four guys from the right side of the tracks whose musical career started with a humorous hip-hop band. Fans worldwide await their next push towards fame and fortune. Come along for the ride.

To Success & Beyond

2010-08-11T17:57:00.001-04:00

Tim Allen turns clever repartee into powerful stand-up
By Chris Carney

People often recite the phrase “the American dream” in sappy daytime soaps, car commercials and blasé country songs without ever truly examining what the dream really is.

Tim Allen, actor, comedian and voiceover artist, proves that despite a hefty wrong turn on the highway of life, “the American dream” exists for those willing to work for it.

While still in his mid 20s, Allen found himself adrift. He’d found a love of drama and music, specializing in classical piano. He’d received a bachelor’s degree in communications, while beginning to find his comedic voice on WDIR, the college radio station of Western Michigan University. Yet something was missing, and this hole led to the episode that would define his life and nearly end a brilliant career before it started.

On Oct. 2, 1978, Allen was arrested for the possession of 1.6 pounds of cocaine. This was an amount that could hold a life sentence. A plea deal and 28 months in prison gave Allen the time to make use of the philosophy minor he’d earned and when he was released, the real Allen got his chance to wow the world.

And wow it he has. Beginning his career in stand-up on a dare, he quickly gained notice on the Detroit comedy scene. From there he moved to Los Angeles and graced audiences with his quirky, blue-collar style of humor at The Comedy Store. When Hollywood came calling, Allen was ready. Home Improvement, based on skits by Allen, would become one of the greatest sitcom success stories in history.

Running from 1991-1999, Home Improvement followed the misadventures of Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor as seen through his professional life as a power tool TV show host and his home life as a husband and father of three.

Home Improvement would make Allen wealthy and famous and would lead him to the big screen of Hollywood blockbusters. The Santa Clause was his first hit and was one part of a triumvirate of success when, in November of 1994, he simultaneously had the highest-grossing film, No. 1 bestselling book and the highest-rated television show.

His rise to fame was only beginning and perhaps his greatest role came in 1995 when he lent his voice talents to a character that would go on to be one of the most beloved in movie history. As Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’s groundbreaking masterpiece, Toy Story, Allen helped create a character whose catch phrase “to infinity and beyond” has been uttered by millions of children across the world. Sequels are still being created from the mega-successful flick, and Allen again lent his voice for this summer’s Toy Story 3.

Allen had conquered his demons and made a life for himself that defines what the American dream means. One mistake doesn’t define the rest of your life, or determine its path. You can earn redemption and make it what you want, as long as you believe in yourself and are willing to work.
Tim Allen continues to work, on his career, on his family and on himself. He stands as a lesson and an inspiration for what any of us can do if we choose to. Join him in the Terry Fator Theatre as he returns to stand-up comedy, where it all began.

www.lasvegasmagazine.com

Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz: Battle Born

2010-07-27T19:12:00.002-04:00

By Chris Carney

Boxing and Las Vegas have long been comfy bedmates. When Las Vegas was still in its infancy, boxing was king, and in the decades since, boxing’s presence has continued a steady affair.

So it shocks nobody that the rematch of one of the best fights of the year comes to the ring at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz was a furious nine-round battle in 2009 that left 26-year-old Diaz bleeding and dazed on the canvas.

Now Diaz seeks redemption against the decade older Marquez. It’s youth vs. legacy—and what a fight it will be. Dubbed as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, Mexican-born Marquez (pictured fighting Joel Casamayor in 2008) has fought Manny Pacquiao, been slated to battle Floyd Mayweather and, if he beats Diaz again, will go against up-and-coming phenom Michael Katsidis.

Since being taken down, Diaz has trained for redemption, but much more rests on his shoulders in this rematch. A win and Diaz can claim stardom. A loss and he may just enter the ranks of the almost-were. Marquez vs. Diaz II ups the drama, the sweat and the power.

http://lasvegasmagazine.com/

Daniel Tosh: Getting to the Point

2010-07-19T13:00:00.001-04:00

By Chris Carney

Comedians are meant to offend. At first this statement may seem absurd. Everyone knows that comedians are here to make us laugh, make us smile and even, on occasion, educate us. While these facts all bear well under the illuminated beam of truth, comedians (the good ones at least), offend as much as they entertain.

It’s their job, you see. We humans laugh not only at clever jokes, but also when we are uncomfortable, and nothing does this so quickly and ably as offending our preconceived notions and our self-centered worldview.

Daniel Tosh, who very much falls in the offensive comedic mold, was born in Germany but moved with his preacher father and the rest of the Tosh clan to Titusville, Fla., within earshot of the Kennedy Space Center.

After growing up in Florida, or as he calls it, the “hot, flat and dumb” state, Tosh moved to Los Angeles where his comedy career began to soar. Known for his witty and sarcastic take on everyday aspects of life, Tosh quite often says the things we only wish we could.

He got his big break in 2001 when he got bumped from the Late Show With David Letterman. A rescheduling, along with bits on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, cemented Tosh’s style, and his career began to surge.

While still in Florida he hosted the late-night comedy show Ten and became a Taco Bell spokesman. After moving to L.A., he starred in his first Comedy Central special in 2003, where he skewered everything from Canadians, abortion and racism to rumors of his homosexuality.

He reached his highest point of fame in 2009 when Tosh.0 premiered on Comedy Central. An instant hit, Tosh.0 has the hilarious host berating people, things and cultures via Internet video clips. Billed as a more irreverent version of Talk Soup, Tosh.0 continues to entertain viewers and has made Tosh’s comedy tours a must see.

And he has never stopped his mission to offend. Whether it is his quest to find a sugar mama in “rich, white” Aspen, Colorado, his rants against ESPN’s SportsCenter staple Stuart Scott or his brilliantly disturbing take on cannibalism, Tosh rarely pulls punches. When he does, it’s usually a feint for a knockout blow of offensiveness. Yet, while you sit in your seat squirming, holding a hand over your mouth or looking to your friend, significant other or random nearby patron with an “oh my God,” you may just be learning something, about yourself, your mate or the guy in the next seat. Treasure the experience. It is rarer than it should be.

So, if you’re easily offended, don’t think outside the box, believe using the F-word is the height of crassness or are in any way uptight, close-minded or bland, then outbursts of the great Tosh are not for you. But, if you love edgy, pointed and unintentionally erudite humor then the skinny white kid from Florida is right up your alley.
http://lasvegasmagazine.com/

Lyle Lovett: Large and In Charge

2010-07-19T09:25:00.000-04:00

By Chris Carney

Lyle Lovett may not be the most famous country singer ever, but his longevity and influence have far outstripped short-lived fame. Born in Klein, Texas, where he resides today, Lovett took to music early in life and began his career writing for others. It wasn’t until 1986 that he began to focus on his own music with the release of his self-titled debut.

Since then he’s recorded 14 albums, won four Grammys and began an acting career. It was his friendship with legendary film director Robert Altman that led not only to his second job, but also to a much-publicized, if short-lived, marriage to actress Julia Roberts.

Since then Lovett, who always seems to operate better personally and professionally outside the spotlight, has quietly continued to influence an entire generation of musicians. His life has unfolded at his pace and by his design, and it is these values that he’ll showcase when he brings his Large Band to Vegas.

http://lasvegasmagazine.com

The Real Tracy Morgan

2010-07-01T17:09:00.008-04:00

By Chris Carney

“So, here’s some advice I wish I woulda got when I was your age: live every week like it’s Shark Week.” So says Tracy Jordan, the fictional star of a fictional variety show on NBC’s hit sitcom 30 Rock. The Emmy-nominated actor who delivered this suspect advice is Tracy Morgan, and despite the initial sense of absurdity engendered by the statement, it holds a core of wisdom shared by character and actor alike.

This is not to suggest that Tracy Jordan is a wise man. In truth he is a bit of a buffoon, who has lost touch with the world that made him famous. Thankfully, even with numerous successes and accolades, Tracy Morgan has never lost sight of the reasons he does what he does.

“It’s all about family for me,” says Morgan. “My kids and my family keep me grounded. Everything I do is for them.”

This dedication to family is not just lip service. It is both the heart of his success and the barometer that keeps him in check. Born in the heart of what he calls Ghetto, USA, the Bedford—Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn in 1968, Tracy’s early life was surrounded by a combination of love and violence.

The second of four children, Tracy, known as Tray to his family and friends, was named after a red headed Irish army buddy of his father Jimmy Morgan. Jimmy met Tracy on an Army transport en route to Vietnam for the fi rst of what would be fi ve tours. Tracy and Jimmy hit it off. They were two men from very different backgrounds whose lives had crossed, forever changing both of them. For Jimmy, Vietnam would lead to a heroin addiction, night Terrors, and AIDS. For Tracy, Vietnam lasted a mere 24 hours before a land mine ended his life.

Like many kids of the 80s, Tracy is the child of divorce. While Jimmy and Tracy’s mother, Alicia, loved each other, Jimmy’s heroin addiction became a very real danger to the children. The resultant split created a great and lasting anger in young Tracy. He eventually learned to turn the anger into a fierce dedication to comedy. A craft he deems “his bulletproof vest,” and credits with literally saving his life.

In his book, I Am the New Black, Tracy states he does not want our sympathy. “I don’t feel like any kind of hero. I’m not God’s gift, but my life wasn’t dumb luck either. I made a series of choices—some bad, most good—that led me here.”

Here is a pretty damn good place for Tracy Morgan these days. He is the star of the hit sitcom 30 Rock, he is a Golden Globe winner, an Emmy nominee and recently returned to host an episode of his old stomping grounds Saturday Night Live. He’s starred in several movies, including Cop Out with Bruce Willis and the recent comedy gem Death at a Funeral, sharing the screen with his old buddy and mentor Martin Lawrence.

He has finally taken control of his health, which was severely damaged by years of neglect and ignorance of his diabetic condition. He’s even found love once again after a recent divorce from long time wife Sabina. Indeed, here is pretty good for Tracy Morgan.

Enroute to his success Tracy learned and relearned a most important lesson. “Don’t believe the hype,” his father told him. “Everyone is going to tell you you’re great until you’re not great. Until the day you let them down. And on that day they’ll hate you.” Despite the accolades, the success, the wealth, Tracy remains humble and has finally become grounded.

Tracy’s success was never a guarantee and even a cursory examination of his life suggests it may just be a miracle. As a young man Tracy was on a path all to familiar to many poor African American men. Few opportunities and a deep-rooted anger combined with the need to be a “baller” and Tracy soon found himself dealing on the street. Yet even then comedy was his defense mechanism and his primary method of survival. Starting with weed and eventually moving on to the new plague known as crack, Tracy used and developed his comedic skills on the street.

“I took to crack like it was an open mic night, and I was pretty good at it. I had people laughing, even when they were jonesing for a fix. It was like comedy—they were paying me for a good time.”

But soon the luster of the life began to tarnish. One night his buddy Spoon, who Tracy says was ”funnier than I,” was murdered. By sheer luck Tracy was with a girl. Otherwise, he says, “I’d probably be dead right now.” Spoon’s death was the reality check Tracy needed. If he stayed on the streets, they would kill him, probably sooner than later.

While Spoon died, Tracy kept his memory alive in puppet form as Spoonie Love on Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla’s Crank Yankers. This was just one of numerous characters, comedy bits and skits Tracy dredged up from his childhood and it set the stage for his variety of very open and extremely personal style of comedy.

It was about this time, with the support of his first love Sabina, that he made the choice that would eventually lead him down the road of fame and fortune. He decided to become a stand up comedian. While most wives would demand a stable income from their man, Sabina believed in Tracy and was the rock that pushed him.

“I’ve got you,” Sabina told him,” but you’ve got to keep at this no matter how hard it gets. You’ve got to keep at it until you make something of yourself.” Tracy started appearing at open mic nights and comedy clubs across the Bronx. Eventually he landed a gig at the Apollo, the legendary comedy club in Harlem responsible for launching innumerable careers.

From there he heard riotous laughter and choruses of boos on Uptown Comedy Club and the Def Comedy Jam, where he met Martin Lawrence.This chance encounter led to Tracy’s first sitcom gig, as Hustle Man on the hit sitcom Martin.

Eventually Saturday Night Live came calling. For most comedians, this would seem to be the pinnacle, the dream job, the nadir, but Tracy, in an uncharacteristic display of insecurity and nervousness was resistant.

“I can’t do it,” he told his agent Barry Katz. “That’s where Eddie [Murphy] came from. I can’t go up to Eddie’s house. No way, I can’t do it. I’m not good enough, man.” Yet, Barry, like Sabina before him, did believe and in a classic bit of subterfuge told Tracy that the SNL producers were begging to see him. In truth Barry had to bludgeon the producers into giving Tracy his shot. From their perspective it was a long shot indeed.

Terrified, Tracy took that fear and used it. He took his anger and used it. Today his audition tape can be seen by the world on the Saturday Night Live: The Best of Tracy Morgan DVD. While he was a bit huskier, a bit more disheveled, he was, even at that early date, still very much Tracy Morgan.

He did a bit of Biscuit, the propeller beenie topped kid that had long been a classic Tracy Morgan character. “Biscuit is me as a kid. He’s the character most like the real me out of all that I do.” The producers liked what they saw and Tracy became an increasingly important fixture on SNL for the next seven seasons. During these years Tracy immortalized characters as diverse as Brian Fellow, the gay, self-centered and paranoid host of an animal talk show, Dominican Lou, the overzealous building super based on a guy Tracy knew from his days in the Bronx and pervy, folk singing space adventurer Astronaut Jones.

It was during these years that he and soon-to-be SNL head writer Tina Fey really hit it off. “She’s my sister, Tina Fey,” Tracy says. “Tina understands who I am as a person and what my strengths and weaknesses are as an actor and a comedian more than anyone I’ve ever met.”

Though he couldn’t have known it at the time, this camaraderie would eventually lead him to the greatest role of his life. As is often the case in the entertainment business, as in life, Tracy needed to fall before he could climb to even greater heights. In 2003, well into his seventh year on SNL Tracy decided to leave the show and move on. The decision wasn’t easy. SNL was lucrative, it was a sure thing, but Tracy didn’t want to be the one who held on too long. It was ultimately the prompting of his younger sister Asia that pushed him to take the leap. “You’ve got to promise me something,” Asia told Tracy. “ Don’t be there [SNL] too long. Keep challenging yourself and try new things. Don’t get too comfortable.”

As luck would have it he didn’t have to wait to long for the next new thing. NBC commissioned The Tracy Morgan Show, which Tracy originally envisioned as a Sanford and Son meets All in the Family with stories and characters based on Tracy’s childhood. The producers changed the show into a modern day Cosby Show that limped through one lackluster season and ultimately died a mostly unseen death. “In the end the show that aired wasn’t even my show anymore,” Tracy laments.

After his show was cancelled Tracy began to extensively tour once again, and as the road began to take control his personal issues came to the fore. Alcoholism, loneliness and frequent appearances by his dark side alter ego he dubbed Chico Divine started to damage him in subtle yet serious ways. Chico was fun, crazy and was slowly killing Tracy. Tracy and Sabina began having the issues that would eventually lead to their divorce. He talks about it freely. “Once that love turns, believe me, you’re done,” Tracy writes. “When a good woman’s love goes cold, it never comes back.”

It was about this time, when Tracy was at his lowest, that his old friend Tina Fey offered him a hand up. What a hand it would turn out to be. Tracy Jordan, the character on 30 Rock that would earn Tracy Morgan an Emmy nomination was hand crafted for him. Tina Fey has said that “Tracy Jordan is Tracy Morgan if Tracy Morgan was insane.” One wonders if she knew Tracy’s current state of mind when she made the offer.

Tracy Morgan has pushed through the bad and the good to surface a better man, a better father and a better actor and comedian. By any measuring stick his life can be deemed a triumph. He’s even returned to the comedy circuit that gave him his start and almost ended his career, with an upcoming show at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas June 5th.

So take Tracy Jordan’s advice and live every week like it’s Shark Week. When your opportunity comes a knocking, take it. Do everything all the way. Learn from the past, but look to the future. Keep your family close and never miss a chance at reconciliation, because in this crazy world of ours you never know when you’ll get another chance. There are sharks around every corner, and when they strike nobody can help you, except you.

Tracy Morgan has lived his life by this mantra. It has led him to never be satisfied, never stop working and even though he has achieved more than he could have ever dreamed as a kid in the Bronx, he remains forever hungry, forever unsatisfied. For our sakes, let us hope that he always remains so.

Published in Hard Rock Hotel Magazine Summer 2010

Cheap Trick: Never Surrender

2010-06-30T15:02:00.003-04:00

Sgt. Pepper Live is the latest chapter to Cheap Trick’s enduring legacy
By Chris Carney

There is a long held maxim in the music world that the truly great bands make their mark on the stage and not in the studio. Whether it was the operatic crescendo of The Who, the smoke and grime haze of the Grateful Dead or the present-day masters of mass musical hypnosis, My Morning Jacket, every truly great band killed it live.

Perhaps more than any other band, American rockers Cheap Trick owe their career to their raucous, humorous, adrenaline-pulsing live shows. Formed in Rockford, Ill., in 1975, Cheap Trick toured the numerous bowling alleys, dive bars and warehouses throughout the Midwest. These shows led Epic Records’ Jack Douglas to sign them, after the prolific producer had seen them perform in Wisconsin, perhaps between strikes of the bowling ball. In 1977, they released their critically lauded but commercial dud self-titled debut. Their next two albums, In Color and Heaven Tonight, also failed to earn them a huge American following, despite featuring future hits “Surrender” and “I Want You to Want Me.” Cheap Trick had taken its three swings at stardom and a return to the well-worn bench of the never-were seemed imminent.

Then something strange happened. Japan came calling. While Cheap Trick had failed to muster the legions of fans they would soon be able to lay claim to in the United States, the Japanese had made all three albums gold records. In reward Cheap Trick traversed the ring of fire and filmed two of their shows at the Nippon Budokan, the Madison Square Garden of Tokyo. The resultant double live album, At Budokan, became the breakthrough Cheap Trick had prayed for.

At Budokan was the essence of what the Japanese knew and the world was about to learn: Cheap Trick rocked. Their mishmash of humor, melodic vocals and hard rock riffs worked brilliantly onstage. Robin Zander’s vocals melded perfectly with Rick Nielsen’s guitar cavorting, especially when Nielsen attacked his peacock feather-inspired five-neck guitar.

Cheap Trick had hit it big on the backs of a one-time import-made-multiplatinum domestic release. From there they toured ceaselessly, released a further 14 studio albums, At Budokan II and contributed to numerous soundtrack albums.

Cheap Trick has endured the decades when other bands have faded like background radiation from a dying star. They continue to innovate, entertain and occasionally illuminate.
For Cheap Trick it ends where it all began, on the stage. They return to Las Vegas together with the Sgt. Pepper Symphony Orchestra for a series of shows at Paris Las Vegas, June 22-23 & 25-26, to perform a complete live rendition of The Beatles’ legendary album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

This full-length homage to this seminal 1967 record features a full orchestra, lights, sounds and video, plus some of the band’s very own hits. Cheap Trick is live once more. Rejoice.

http://lasvegasmagazine.com

One Republic: Independent Spirit

2010-06-30T15:00:00.004-04:00

By Chris Carney

One Republic cheerfully straddles the border between the sovereign musical genres of pretty boy pop crooners and hipster alterna-rockers so well that their live shows at first suggest some kind of first contact scenario. Few other bands could draw teens unwittingly imitating their grandmother’s emotional outbursts at Elvis and tight pants-wearing twenty-something lads forcibly sulking their way towards counterculture credibility, all in one venue.

But One Republic has never been just another band. Owing much of their success to social media pioneer MySpace, One Republic earned a monstrous fan base that eventually led to them being signed by Mosley Records in 2006.

2007 saw the release of their debut album Dreaming Out Loud and its single “Apologize,” which would top the charts in sixteen countries via Timberland’s remix.

Often slotted into the Fray/Coldplay genre by fans and critics alike, One Republic insists that they are “not trying to be a British band.” Good thing for these Colorado Springs (that’s in the U.S.A, folks) natives, and a good thing for fans, too. Nothing screams “we’re irrelevant” more than one band actively trying to be another. Thankfully, One Republic remains true to their individual musical identity.

http://lasvegasmagazine.com

The Backstreet Boys: Smooth Moves

2010-06-30T14:59:00.003-04:00

The Backstreet Boys still larger than life
By Chris Carney

Back in 1992, an unknown, overworked and likely underpaid worker at the Orlando Sentinel filed another entry in the crowded sea of classified ads. What couldn’t be known at the time was that this request for “Singers and Musicians” to audition would lead to one of the best-selling recording groups in history.

Thus, in the massive confines of a blimp hangar, was the boy band supergroup The Backstreet Boys spawned. Hundreds auditioned. Five were chosen. Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson, cousins from Lexington, Ken., joined Orlando, Fla., natives A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough and Nick Carter, and the second age of the boy band began.

Their success was by no means a guarantee. America was still gripped in the throes of the grunge movement. Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden were kings, selling millions of albums, playing arenas and massive festivals like the groundbreaking Lollapalooza Tour and defining a musical generation.

It seemed that the Backstreet Boy venture was doomed to fail, but then something odd happened. Their first single, “We’ve Got It Goin’ On,” surged to the top of music charts across Europe. And the group did survive and begin to thrive, and then in 1997 their self-titled debut album hit the American music scene and would go on to sell 14 million copies in the U.S. alone. From then, their rise was nothing less than meteoric.

Few bands in American history can lay claim to the achievements of the Backstreet Boys. Starting from that newspaper ad, the Boys went on to sell 75 million albums worldwide, had 13 Billboard Top 40 hits and earned a staggering $533 million in concert receipts.

They singlehandedly brought the boy band back to the forefront of American pop music, a spot left dormant since their musical forefathers, The New Kids on the Block. And while the whims of the music buying, concert going public moved on, the Backstreet Boys eventually busied themselves with other ventures. Littrell has gone on to a successful Christian music career. Carter battled addiction, starred on a reality show and began to act in film. McLean and Dorough began a television career. Even the elder statesman Richardson has gone on to a modeling and composing career.

Throughout the ups and downs of their careers, legal wrangling with former manager Lou Pearlman and the departure of Richardson, the Backstreet Boys proved to be survivors. They surged to the top of the pop charts and held off would-be pretenders to the boy band crown, with the possible exception of brother band ‘N Sync.

They went on to survive the demise of teen pop in the early 2000s only to recently resurface with a new focus on live instruments, a more adult sensibility and a sixth album, Unbreakable, released in 2007. They began touring again, first internationally where they had scored their initial successes and now back home in the States.

http://lasvegasmagazine.com

Disney For Adults (AOL Travel)

2010-05-12T03:11:00.002-04:00

Walt Disney World may be one of the most popular destinations for families in the world, but believe it or not, hundreds of thousands of adults visit the parks, hotels and attractions without children each year. While some may be Disney aficionados, most have come for the great restaurants, amazing hotels and the world class golf courses.

The Disney Imagineers may focus on children, but the park is also chock full of activities for the over-eighteen set. If you have a grown-up Disney vacation on the horizon, here are some of the events, attractions, and destinations you won't want to miss.

Quite possibly the best golf course on the Disney property, the Palms has seen many a competitor come onto the scene since it opened in the 70's and, in spite of it all, has remained top dog. The pro-level course is home to central Florida's oldest PGA Tour Event, the "Children's Miracle Network Classic," yet remains friendly to players of all ages and abilities.

The setting is idyllic - crystal blue lakes and lagoons surround emerald greens that are surprisingly lush despite the occasionally heavy traffic. So make a tee time, grab their optional GPS and spend a sunny Florida day on the links. Just leave the metal spikes at home as the Palms doesn't allow them.

Palm Golf Course

Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL
(407) 939-4653

A short jaunt on foot from Epcot brings you to the Disney Boardwalk. Opened in the mid 90's and inspired by the seaside boardwalk towns that dominated the Eastern seaboard during the last century, the Disney version successfully captures the waterside charm of those bygone days.

The quarter-mile strip overlooks Crescent Lake, where boats from all over the Walt Disney World Resort disembark. The waterfront space shelters an amazing 9,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and clubs - enough to get lost in for an entire afternoon or evening. Whatever you do, don't miss Jellyroll's club - the piano show they put on is famous for off-the-wall requests and audience participation.

Beer lovers will want to stop by the Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Disney's only functioning brewpub. Other classics include an ESPN Club and, not surprisingly the Boardwalk Character Carnival.

Disney Boardwalk

2101 North Epcot Resorts Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 393-5100

The Rock N' Roll Roller Coaster is a raucous combination of music (all recorded specifically for the attraction by Aerosmith himself), kinetic energy and speed.

Strap into the stretch limo, blare the tunes and get zipped about with the force of a jet fighter. On the way you'll scream past dozens of Southern California rock stars while accelerating from 0-60 miles an hour in a heart-swallowing 2.8 seconds.

Rock N' Roll Roller Coaster staring Aerosmith

Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park
Sunset Boulevard

You'll want to catch Epcot's spectacular nighttime laser, light and fireworks show at least once before you leave. Dominated by the massive Earth globe at the center of Epcot's lagoon, the 30-minute narrated and music-laden show is as impressive for its visuals as it is for its storytelling, which lays out the history of the earth from its molten creation to our arrival on the planet. Who knew that education could be so romantic?

Three of the best spots to watch the show are: the Gondola Landing at Italy, the second story deck in Japan, and the Waterfront Promenade ear Germany. Stake out your spot at least 20 minutes before the show (check with park workers for show times).

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-1289

Looking to let off a little steam after a long day? How about burning some rubber on the race track? The Richard Petty Driving Experience, located in the shadow of the Magic Kingdom, gives anyone 16 and over with a valid driver's license (14 and over for the Drive Along Experience) the opportunity to strap on some racing gear, climb in a real NASCAR stock racing car and zoom around a track at speeds up to 120 MPH.

Prices vary and spots fill up quick so make your reservations in advance.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience

3450 World Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-0130
(800) BE PETTY

Housed in its own freestanding theatre at the western end of Downtown Disney, La Nouba by Cirque Du Soleil is a must. Equal parts circus, carnival and opera, the spectacle mixes it up with stunning acrobatics, over-the-top orange-and-fuschia costumes complete with orange plumage, and heart-thumping music.

Perhaps the most stunning display is the aerial ballet, in which performers twist, tumble and fly through the air held aloft and safe by mere strips of silks. Watching the performance, it's hard to believe that only six musicians and two opera trained singers are required to perform the soundtrack live every night.

La Nouba by Cirque Du Soleil

1478 East Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-7600

Long known as the most adult of the Disney theme parks, Epcot is literally a world unto itself. Featuring numerous sit down restaurants, pubs and bars, Epcot has more places to enjoy a beer, a glass wine, or even a flight of tequilas than any other Disney park. For the especially thirsty, there's a culturally themed bar hop "across the continent" which incorporates as many culturally inspired culinary dishes as it does tasty regional brews (just be sure to take advantage of Disney's on site hotels and free transportation at the end of your evening).

Annual activities are geared toward the over-21 set too, with everything from the International Flower and Garden Festival in the spring to The Sound Like Summer Concert Series and the International Food and Wine Festival in the fall.

Epcot – Walt Disney World Resort

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-1289

Hidden amidst the rides, hotels and restaurants of Disney, ESPN's Wide World of Sports is a thoroughly modern sports facility where avid and casual sports fans alike can enjoy sporting events.

The events vary depending on the season (the complex has welcomed everyone from the Harlem Globe Trotters to the Disney marathon). This year the Yankees, Phillies and Mets will all come to town for some big league action and another season of the Atlanta Braves Spring Training is set to debut soon.

Sports lovers should purchase tickets as soon as they have their travel plans set as seats sell out fast.

ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex

700 S. Victory Way
Kissimmee, FL 34747

A vacation isn't really a vacation without some true pampering, right? Almost all of the Disney hotels have a spa on property, but our favorite is the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. Channeling Saratoga Springs, an area that some consider to be America's first spa, the airy Niki Bryan Spa has built their entire menu of services around the philosophy that water heals and specializes in hydro-massage therapy (though regular massage treatments are also available for those who prefer the classics).

You don't need to be a guest to take advantage of the spa's services, but it certainly simplifies things if you're staying on property, plus, then you'll also be able to take advantage of the resort's other health-inspired offerings, which range from the impressive work-out center, tennis courts, golf course, and jogging paths.

Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

Downtown Disney Area
1960 Broadway
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-7675

A short jaunt by boat from anywhere in the Walt Disney World Resorts, Shula's Steakhouse, like its founder Miami Dolphin's head coach Don Shula, is a legend. Consistently rated as one of the Top Ten Steak Houses in America, the location at the Dolphin Resort is the place to finish off a fun filled day at Disney.

Try one of the signature Shula Cut steaks, including the monster 48 oz porterhouse or the perfectly portioned 12 oz filet. Perfect for a romantic dinner or business gathering, Shula's also offers foodstuffs for the non beef eater.

An experience that will have you hungering for more Shula's recommends reservations, especially during peak times.

Shula's Steak House at the Dolphin

Shula's Steak House Orlando at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 934-1362

Originally Published on http://travel.aol.com/disney

Rodney Carrington: True Blue Comedy

2010-04-27T16:12:00.004-04:00

By Chris Carney

With December upon us this week, the majority of the country is prepping the Christmas goose, unpacking the Hanukkah menorah and assembling the Festivus pole. Sin City residents are gearing up for the National Finals Rodeo.

Cowboy hats, Wranglers and kickin' boots dominate and as anyone who lives and works in Las Vegas can tell you, it is a great time of year. NFR brings tens of thousands of visitors and some of the greatest entertainment to be found anywhere.

Among the biggest this year is singer, songwriter, actor and comedian extraordinaire Rodney Carrington. With a show a night for all 10 days of the NFR, Carrington may just deserve the MVP award for entertainers.

When you think of country, several things jump to mind, Americana, conservative values and songs about trucks, ex-wives and beer. What you don't think of is raunchy humor, violent impacts to genitals and morning wood.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Carrington. His Greatest Hits album, one of his nine, includes such classics as "Dear Penis," "Going to Heaven Drunk" and, of course, "Morning Wood." Carrington isn't strictly country. He also dabbles in bluegrass, western and, naturally, comedy.

Carrington has returned to full-time touring after two full seasons of his ABC sitcom Rodney. His newest album, El Niño Loco, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard comedy chart and a Christmas album, Make It Christmas, a collection of classic Christmas tunes, bereft of crass humor, is also available now.

So grab your favorite cowboy shirt, polish your biggest silver belt buckle and grab your favorite lass for night of humor, country music and fun unlike any other in Vegas or elsewhere.

The Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand will fill with bursts of laughter, tears of disbelief and the occasional gasp of amazement at the brilliant debauchery of such Carrington classics as "Skeeter on My Peter," "Bad Pickup Lines" and "Likes, Dislikes and Sexual Confusion." Just remember, any kiddies under 18 years of age, those easily off ended and most likely your elderly grandma should be left back at the hotel. That is, unless Ol' Gran is a fan.

Enjoy his edgy, happy and just plain silly show when he comes to visit Sin City, a town and a man destined to be a match in heaven.

http://lasvegasmagazine.com/

Dennis Miller: Master of Allusion

2010-04-19T17:26:00.004-04:00

By Chris Carney

Describing Dennis Miller as prolific may just be the understatement that redefines the word. Since his first big break behind the Weekend Update desk on Saturday Night Live, Miller has written books, won Emmys, appeared in numerous movies, hosted several of his own talk shows and most recently has hosted The Dennis Miller Show on radio.

To say the man is a workaholic seems at odds with his laid-back, erudite personality. The man known for referring to men and women alike as "babe" and "cat" may be one of the most well-informed comics in history. So much so that it just may have cost him his short-lived job as color commentator on Monday Night Football. America just didn't get him.

But America still loves him, even if they're a little confused. Those that remember him only from his Saturday Night Live days may be surprised to learn that his radio program has a decidedly right-wing bent—and that it is still funny and intelligent.

Now he returns to The Orleans for a mix of his classic comedic bits mixed with new jokes with a slight political bent. Read up and laugh aloud.

http://lasvegasmagazine.com/

Santana: Legendary Sound

2010-04-19T17:25:00.004-04:00

Santana brings generations of fans together

By Chris Carney

Our love of sound bites, headlines and SEO catchphrases has created a culture where certain words have lost their power. Few words have lost more of their luster and clout than the word legend. Today it is tossed about to describe anything from the truly great to the mildly interesting. One-hit wonders have their Auto-Tuned pop averageness dubbed legendary. Sub-standard acting performances, bland teenage vampire literature and repetitious reality TV series toss about the word legendary as if it were a cheap $10 T-shirt. The real danger, aside from information overload, is that the truly legendary will get lumped in with the latest drug-addled celebrity.

If there exists an artist who can return greatness to the word legend, then it is most certainly Carlos Santana. He has everything we deem necessary of one who is truly great: talent (he was named the 15th best guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone), longevity (he has been performing consistently since 1966), productivity (he has won 10 Grammys and released well over 30 albums) and adaptability (his musical styles have evolved consistently from his original release to the megaplatinum album Supernatural). Perhaps most convincing is his dedication to greatness. During the '80s his career was certainly deemed dead by many a critic, Santana could have gone pop or created substandard fare in an attempt to regain the spotlight. Yet he did not, perhaps believing that if you create great work people will find it.

Mexican-born and trained in rock, salsa, jazz and blues, Carlos Santana first wowed the world with 1969's Santana. An instant commercial and critical success, he and his band went on to tour with the Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton and had a star-making performance at Woodstock.

Through the '70s he remained atop the charts and earned numerous awards and legions of fans. As the '80s came to pass, his popularity waned only to surge back riding the wave of Supernatural, a 15- times platinum album that introduced Santana to an entirely new generation of fans.

While Carlos Santana has had major solo success, his primary focus has always been his self-titled band Santana. The winner of numerous Grammys, seller of millions of albums and the group that helped make Santana the man a legend, Santana the band has been wowing audiences worldwide for over 40 years.

Now he returns to the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel for an extended residency celebrating an entire career’s work. Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits is a “mix of practical spirituality, a rebelfrom- the-street vibe and amazing music.” The song list varies, each performance is different and each night presents a new bit of evidence to further prove that though greatness can be clouded amid a haze of averageness, sometimes all it takes is a man like Santana to show us what a legend truly is.

LasVegasMagazine.com

The Only Honest Holiday on the Calendar

2010-03-11T16:38:00.000-05:00

St. Patrick’s Day may be the only truly honest holiday. Although it has roots in the misty history of Ireland and remains an official holiday of the Roman Catholic Church, the true meaning of the feast day has evolved (some will argue devolved) into a universal holiday of drinking and merrymaking.

You heard it debauchery, drunkenness, slovenly behavior and emerald hued crimes against the fashion gods have all become “just part of the charm.” Not only are these activities encouraged, nay required, on St. Patrick’s day, they are the only thing people remember (depending upon the number of beverages) about this truly Irish day of celebration.

St. Patrick’s Day the only honest holiday!? How dare thee? Before you arrange for my excommunication, prepare the gibbet for a hanging or arrange a nice pile of wood for a soul cleansing stake barbeque, give this heathen a chance to explain.

While the United States alone has Ten Federal Holidays (St. Patrick’s Day sadly not one of them), the world at large has literally thousands of days of celebration. And some of them honor the truly bizarre (Japan’s Kanamara Matsuri celebrates the joys of the penis every Spring) wondrous (Sept 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day, Arr!) and in some municipalities illegal (February 1st is Working Naked Day).

Therefore it must be the height of arrogance to suggest that St. Patrick’s Day tops the chart for holidays that pretend to be what they are. But I suggest an honest assessment will shine a light on the self-evident truth of my statement.

Christmas has morphed into a retailer’s dream where many kids recognize Santa more that Jesus. President’s Day Weekend has become the most beloved three days of the year for automobile pimps of all kinds, from mega-mall car retailers to Johnny’s Craptacular Car Depot. Even New Year’s Eve, a study in amateur depravity, remains burdened with unlikely, and mostly unfulfilled, resolutions to improve oneself in the coming year.

Yet a quick Internet search for the “True Meaning of St. Patrick's Day” uncovers several bizarre parables involving a bearded Romano-British monk by the name of Patricius who lived sometime in the 5th century AD (or CE for you egalitarian sticklers), killed a bunch of snakes and, oh yeah, brought Christianity to the heathen Fey Folk worshippers of Ireland. Even the Shamrock, a symbol not only of St. Patrick’s Day, The Boston Celtics and House of Pain, but of the very essence of Irishness, was empowered by St. Patrick who used its three leaves to teach the locals about the Holy Trinity.

While little remains today of the religious holiday (even the Republic of Ireland officially endorsed the party by the 1990s) the secular version of St. Patrick’s Day has done something few religions, political parties or pseudo scientific, new age movements have. St. Patrick’s Day is all-inclusive. Everyone is can join. Everyone is welcome. Whether thee be Irish, Inuit or Samoan, Russian, Jewish or Somali, St. Patrick’s Day welcomes you all, with just one caveat, “Enjoy Yourself.” As the saying goes “everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.”

Sadly we Central Floridians have no river to dye green like our Irish brethren in chilly Chicago, cannot lay claim to 400,000 revelers like the folks in Savannah or march in a parade older than our beloved country like the Celtic loving Bostonians.

Yet, despite our Gaelic handicap there are plenty of places in Orlando to kick up your boots, swig a pint of Guinness and dance a jig with you best lass. Here’s where you’re likely to find me.

I find I have a hankering’ to see old dudes in fezzes drive wee cars, so I shoot up the few miles to Winter Park for their annual St. Patty’s Day parade. Since the sad demise of Orlando’s own parade, this jaunty, joyous, if small parade, is the only one we have in the Metro. After a brief lunch of Shepherd’s Pie at Fiddler’s Green I head downtown.

A short jaunt from my front door and I’m sitting across from the lovely, and authentically Irish, lassies at Lizzy McCormack’s. These off the boat imports, wondrous redheads all, welcome me with the clarion call of Irish hospitality, “What can I get ya’ darlin’?” A minute later a Smithwick’s mustache crest my upper lip and I am satisfied.

From there I hit The Harp & Celt on Magnolia for a pint before heading to my newest fav, The Lucky Leprechaun located in the tourist mecca (hell?) of I-Drive. From here on out the night may get fuzzy, but at least it will match my green felt Mad Hatter chapeau.

So this March 17th grab your favorite green apparel, whether it be green plastic Bowler hat, fuzzy chaps style britches or Shamrock plastered thongs (St. Patrick would likely disapprove), and jaunt down to any number of local watering holes that for at least one day are Irish too.

Drink, make merry and celebrate a holiday that exists for celebration. Erin Go Bragh.

Published in the March 2010 Issue of Drink Magazine.

Laughter as Medicine

2010-02-27T15:14:00.000-05:00

Laughter as Medicine

George Lopez at the Las Vegas Hilton

By Chris Carney

Photo by Carlo Dalla Chiesa

George Lopez
Where: Las Vegas Hilton
When: 8 p.m. March 5-6
Cost: $75 and up
Info: (866) 80-SHOWS

It is often said that humor is a defense mechanism against a crappy world. Take a small sampling of the early life of George Lopez and you'll come to realize just why he is so popular, enduring and hilarious.
While still an infant, his father abandoned him, and at the age of 10 his mother followed suit. Lopez could have used his life as an excuse, but instead he chose to use his experiences as the basis for his extremely popular comedic career.
He has toured the country for decades, had numerous stand-up specials, his own sitcom and, the Holy Grail for any entertainer, his own late-night show, Lopez Tonight on TBS.
Although much of his comedy is based on the Mexican- American experience, he has used this backdrop to examine the human experience. He pokes fun at family dysfunction, language confusion and stereotypes with a wit that speaks truth without demeaning.
Since beginning Lopez Tonight his comedy has morphed a bit. It has become more all-inclusive while still being rooted in the world of that young Mexican-American boy who once wondered if the American dream were true. As Lopez found out, it can be.

Sailing Back Into Stand-Up

2010-02-14T16:46:00.000-05:00

Sailing Back Into Stand-Up

Sinbad at Treasure Island

By Chris Carney

Sinbad
Where: Treasure Island
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19
Cost: $45 and up
Info: (866) 80-SHOWS

To us normal folk, the ticket-buying public and the comedy-special-watching folk, the world of stand-up comedy seems vast and foreign. But for those who've slogged their ways upward from the trenches to comedy fame and fortune, the roads taken are often quite similar.

This is as true for ever-present '90s comedy powerhouse Sinbad as it is for many of his comedy brethren. Born in a small town in Michigan, the man who would become Sinbad had numerous career dead ends, including a stint in the Air Force, which didn't quite go as planned.
It wasn't until he went on Star Search, where he defeated fellow comedian Dennis Miller, that his career really got the boost it needed. From there he had a recurring role on A Different World, was part of the cast of numerous Hollywood films and eventually earned himself the comedian's crown jewel, a self-titled sitcom, The Sinbad Show.
While the show earned some accolades for its positive portrayal of African Americans, it eventually went the way most comedian-based sitcoms go: off the air.
But Sinbad persevered. Numerous film roles, including Houseguest and Jingle All the Way, followed. Sprinkled throughout his silver screen work were HBO specials and extensive touring.
Sinbad surged to the top of the stand-up circuit, bartered that success into a successful acting career and eventually saw the fickle public move on to the next new flavor, and he has returned to his first love. And we are better for it.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 2-14-2010

Some of My Tripvine.com Posts

2010-02-04T11:21:00.000-05:00

Get an Adrenaline Surge at The Richard Petty Driving Experience

Coming Soon: Build Your Dreams At Legoland Florida

Soar High and Fast at SkyVenture

Soar Into History at Fantasy of Flight

Ripley's Believe It Or Not

Michael Jackson Remembered: Captain EO Returns to Disney

Train For the Stars: NASA's Astronaut Training Program

Backstage Magic: Behind the Scenes at Disney World

Skip The Long Lines With a Disney FastPass

Go Off the Well Tread Path with the Orlando Go Card

New Year's Eve at SeaWorld: Say Huzzah to the New Year with Shamu

The New Year Brings a New Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman

Grab Your Party Hats and Noisemakers: New Year's Eve Part Three

Grab Your Party Hats and Noisemakers: New Year's Eve Part Two

Grab Your Party Hats and Noisemakers: New Years Eve Part One

The World Famous Rockettes Return to Orlando

Omaka Rocka Arrives at Aquatica This Spring

Last Minute Visits With Santa at Downtown Disney

Toy Story 3 Extended Trailer Hints at Another Pixar Masterpiece

Princess Tiana Joins the Character Meet and Greet at Disney.

Natalie Cole Rings in the Holidays at Universal

R.I.P. Roy: Roy E. Disney Dies at Age 79

The Polar Express Experience Brings the Holidays to SeaWorld

Christmas at Disney: A Holiday Roundup.

Get Them Now! Disney to Scale Back Discounts in 2010

Winter Comes to Orlando: ICE at the Gaylord Palms

Criss Angel Believe: Mind Over Matter

2009-10-25T04:17:00.006-04:00

By Chris Carney

For the greatest magicians of any era, the real power in illusions is not how they are accomplished but the nature and depth of the emotional response they generate in the audience.

Wonder and awe, the prickling of hair on necks and forearms, the collective intake of breath and cheers of surprise are all the foods upon which the master illusionists dine.

These are also the emotional endgames that the acrobatic wizards and dance phenoms of Cirque du Soleil seek with every performance of every show. Beginning with Mystère, swimming through "O," baring flesh in Zumanity, lighting the world on fire in KÀ and re-imagining the music of The Beatles in Love, Cirque du Soleil has long reached the very edges of the possible and pushed through to new worlds.

One need not possess the power of foresight to predict that the world of magic and the world of Cirque du Soleil would come together like dark soulmates. Yet the mysteries of both mix in a most unexpected manner in Criss Angel Believe. The show loosely explores the inner workings of a Victorian noble's dark dreams, one populated by an assortment of bizarre and amazing creatures and creations.

Best known for his TV show Mindfreak, the magician has a long-standing love aff air with the ultra-dramatic illusion. Whether he levitates himself through the Luxor's light beam, cuts himself in half before a live audience or blows himself up in a C4-laden crate, only to emerge unscathed and well-primped, Angel never skimps on the theatrics.

Billed as the co-writer, illusions designer and creator, original concept creator and, of course, star, Angel says that the seeds of Believe go back more than 15 years. It can be said that the show is the culmination of an obsession long germinated that has finally emerged as the dark fl ower of Believe.

Why would Cirque du Soleil change its recipe for success by creating a star-fronted show? Conversely, why would Angel agree to enter the realm of choreography and costumes, where the attentive audience's eye may wander to other performers? The answer lies at the very heart of what Cirque du Soleil and Angel are all about.

"Expect the unexpected, because this show is beyond even my wildest fantasy," Angel said.
Believe may not be your typical Cirque du Soleil production, but it encapsulates its philosophy, a philosophy long held by Angel as well: Never be satisfied with what has already been done, search out new directions, new experiences and always challenge expectations. This is the message, the true purpose of both Angel and Cirque du Soleil. Create something unseen, something organic that grows and changes with every performance. Create something vast, panoramic and dazzling. Believe strives with every performance to do just that.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 10-25-09

U2: New Memories Arise

2009-10-17T16:01:00.005-04:00

By Chris Carney

Music has long been an emotional linchpin humans use to define their memories. A long-forgotten song can fling one years, or even decades, into the past, dropping us in a time thought forever gone. While any song can act as time machine, there are those musicians who have mastered – unconsciously, perhaps – the ability to create a mass migration to times and places long thought forgotten. These bands stand the test of time, lasting decades and remaining relevant long after countless one-hit wonders and short-term musical obsessions have faded into obscurity.

Over the last 33 years, few bands have done this more than U2. Perhaps "New Year's Day" takes you to a crowded bus en route to a rain-soaked 5K or "Bullet the Blue Sky" catapults you to the streets of London and a first kiss. Whatever your personal journey may be, U2 has always been, and will continue to be, a band of memories.

Formed in 1976 in Dublin, Ireland, U2 was different from the start. For them, music was more than girls, money and fame. For U2 music is spiritual. Irish Catholics by upbringing, U2 have long been deeply moved by the world beyond the physical. They've entered the world of the soul, world of the mind, world of memory. So perhaps it is no coincidence that they've recently embarked on their 360º Tour. It seems that U2 is coming full circle and dreaming of memories past.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 10-18-09

Justin Timberlake: Good Rounds, Good Sounds

2009-10-12T22:46:00.009-04:00

By Chris Carney

The Shriners have long been known for their dedication to charitable causes, and no cause rises higher in profile and good deed than the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which have provided free medical treatment for children for nearly a century.

Yet the Shriners, despite their roots in antiquity, are no stick-in- the-mud social fraternity. A glance at the snazzy red fezzes proudly donned by their miniature-car-driving members quickly shreds that illusion.

So it is of little surprise that they are teaming up with singer/actor Justin Timberlake, a man well known for both his sense of humor, outgoing personality and dedication to charitable causes.
He brings his considerable celebrity to the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Championship Pro-Am, a charitable golf tourney running from Oct. 12-18 at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. It's a week of fun, golf and parties dedicated to helping the Shriners Hospitals for Children, often dubbed the World's Greatest Charity.

Joining Timberlake at this year's event are several pro golfers, including 2008 returning champion Marc Turnesa. Kenny Perry, Heath Slocum and Jason Dufner, all ranked in the Top 10 in the FedEx Cup point standings, are also competing. LPGA pro Natalie Gulbis challenges the boys on equal footing and don't be surprised if she gives them a run for the charity's money.

A bevy of celebrity players also joins Timberlake on the links. This year's crop includes metal god, and an avid Merlin of the greens, Alice Cooper, soul legend Smokey Robinson, saxophone maestro Kenny G and poker masters Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu.

Timberlake is playing alongside Oklahoma State University sophomore Rickie Fowler, who is making his professional PGA Tour debut. But don't believe for a second that just because this tournament is all about fun and charity, the competition is not fierce. Although players don't gain FedEx Cup points for their performance on the greens, the event is a fully accredited PGA Tour event.

Joining the Shriners are numerous corporate sponsors including Coca-Cola, Rain Cosmetics and Fiji Water. Yet, you do not need to be a celebrity or massive corporation to contribute. Buying tickets to the tourney and volunteering are just two ways to pitch in. Head to jtshrinersopen.com for more information on what you can do to help.

But the charitable largesse does not end there. Not content to tap celebrity power and dollars from the world of golf, Timberlake performs at Mandalay Bay at 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. Like the golf tournament, he won't be alone when he takes the stage. He'll have friends to back him up, including Alicia Keys, Ciara, Snoop Dogg, Taylor Swift and TLC. These stars will help bring much-needed attention to a cause that may not have previously been on their fans' radar.

For the children who benefit from the Pro-Am and concert, Justin Timberlake and the Shriners are a match very much made in an earthly heaven. No word yet on whether Timberlake will sport a red fez or drive the wee little car, but if his and the Shriners previously shown love of pomp, fun and good-natured humor shine through, we may very well be given one more gift to complete a great week.

We Darkly Dream We Were Dexter.

2009-10-03T10:37:00.001-04:00

Dexter is one of those truly American television programs that’s central question both illuminates and exposes the psyche of the viewing public. At its core this Showtime drama explores our convoluted, and often contradictory, relationships with violence and justice and in this process it exposes more about the viewer than it does about its fictional protagonist.

Are killers born or bred? Is there something inherently wrong with those that maim kill and rape, or does their psychosis emerge from the cauldron of a young life awash in violence?

Loosely adapted from the novel Dexter Dreaming Darkly by Jeff Lindsay, Dexter has recently begun an acclaimed fourth season. The show follows title character Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Dept. who aims his psychotic and sociopathic need to kill at killers who have managed to beat the system.

A classic antihero archetype, Dexter spends his nights hunting and executing, in a very meticulous and ritualistic fashion, those killers who have evaded justice. Dexter is a cold-blooded murderer. If he were ever caught his actions would condemn him both in a court of law and by the tenets of any reasonable religion. Yet, as an audience we cheer him on. We follow along as he hunts and we wish him well. We want Dexter to be real and truly believe that if he were the world would be a better place.

What makes Dexter unique, both as show and character, is that it does he does not experience moral quandaries. He does not question what he does? Is it right? Is it wrong? For Dexter it is simply necessary. The orphaned Dexter has always needed to kill. What separates him from the Son of Sam, Ted Bundy and the Hannibal Lecter’s of the world is the “Code of Harry.”

Immersed in the Code by his adopted father Harry, a Miami Metro Detective who discovered then three year old Dexter in two inches of his mother’s blood, Dexter follows this stringent and powerful, if twisted, moral code as fervently as the most devout religious believer.

Sensing that his son would always need to kill, and likely end his days in the harsh, sterile glow of an execution chamber, Harry taught Dexter only to kill other killers. In the years since Dexter has become one of the most successful serial killers in history, fictional or real.

Perhaps it is our love for frontier justice, our respect for the meticulous execution of a task or our own deep rooted desire to possess the will to live our lives by our own code that makes Dexter, man and show, so appealing. He gets the one who got away. He is so good he hasn’t, won’t we hope, be caught. He has the courage to risk his career, reputation, family and very life to fulfill his mission.

Yet he is a killer, a murderer and by all the codes we claim to hold dear this hero, this man we root onward is destined for Hell. It is very telling indeed that each and every viewer wishes to some extent that they were a little like Dexter.

Craig Ferguson

2008-10-21T16:21:00.004-04:00

Talk Show Host Really Will Catch You Later

By Chris Carney

Perhaps it was inevitable talent or a stroke of luck, but Craig Ferguson may just be the most popular Scotsman in America. A writer, comedian, actor, director, talk show host, musician and all-around funny chap, Ferguson is best known as the host of CBS's The Late, Late Show. Born in Glasgow, Ferguson's first foray into the world of entertainment was as the drummer of the punk band Bastards From Hell. Although short-lived, the band was a hint at the future Ferguson would seek, that of the maverick pop humorist.

The Late, Late Show is only his most recent success. He spent years as Drew Carey's TV boss, has written and directed several movies and even guest-starred on the seminal British comedy show Red Dwarf.

Ferguson has quickly become a master of observational humor. He mixes pop and high culture with a slick delivery and a deep core of Scottish sensibilities that make this new American citizen a fave on air and on tour.

Join him when he pops into town for a week of shows at MGM Grand.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 10-19-08

Lenny Kravitz: His Time Has Come

2008-06-30T13:53:00.006-04:00

Powerful Vibe Always Shines

By Chris Carney

If you follow the theory that actions speak louder than words then Lenny Kravitz is a giant among men. He has achieved many of the hallmarks of success, including four consecutive Grammy Awards from 1998-2001 and the most coveted bit of resume bling around, a guest spot on The Simpsons.

His music, like his life, is a fusion of multiple styles, influences and interests. A self-confessed retro artist, Kravitz's music mixes elements of rock, funk, soul, psychedelia and folk in a style that is truly his own.

Kravitz is a multiple instrument master, playing nearly all the guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and percussion on his albums. He's written for Madonna, produced for Cree Summer and Vanessa Paradis and sat shotgun alongside Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler and Stevie Wonder.

But it is onstage where his power, energy and charisma really shine. His live shows feel exactly like the crazy hair-twirling raucousness of his videos, complete with ear-shredding guitar licks, deeply guttural vocals and blazing lights sure to cause spots for days.

Published in LasVegas Magazine 1-13-08

Americn Idol Live: Not Pitchy At All

2008-06-27T14:51:00.005-04:00

Contestants are all winners in celebratory tour

By Chris Carney

Not content with dominating the digital domain within your television, the marketing gurus behind the juggernaut Fox hit American Idol are sending their young ingénues on a massive summer tour. Featuring all of the top 10 finalists, including winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta, this year's tour takes the postseason road trip to even higher levels.

This year's tour, American Idols Live! 2008, features a whopping 53 shows in just over three months and will continue some of the innovations integrated into this past season, including instrumental performances by some of the contestants. Like previous tours, the 2008 version will feature many of the songs that helped the final 10 secure their place in Idol lore, along with new combinations and new songs. Without the tense environment of competition, the Idols will be free to enjoy themselves, and the camaraderie it engenders will shine through.

Who will shine? Who will go on to further fame and fortune? Who will go on to careers beyond American Idol? All these questions will be answered this summer.

No word yet on whether Simon Cowell and his cronies will hog the best seats and continue their harsh, energetic commentaries.

Originally Published in Las Vegas Magazine 06-29-08

Death and Taxes

2008-05-09T01:01:00.000-04:00

Death and Taxation: $20 from Death on Tax Day!
By Chris Carney

“In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin.

I hate taxes. Get your hands off my money, I scream as I drive my car on the tax funded road, past the tax funded school to my tax funded courthouse; where I’m paying a tax (parking ticket), to my tax funded judge (yes Your Honor) ‘cuz my tax funded meter maid decided I parked too close to my tax funded fire hydrant.

Aaagghh! Taxes; who needs ‘em? I say it’s high time to go back to anarchy, self reliance and the caveman-ocity of the elder days. (I betcha’ Fred never got taxed on those massive brontosaurus ribs)

So I come out of my tax funded courthouse to my paid off car (yippee), where I find another tax bill (parking ticket #2) ‘cuz the meter only lets you pay (tax) up to two hours, and my court case (tax) took nearly three.

And you’re thinking; stop complaining you fascist (reactionary liberal), communist (reactionary conservative), libertarian(commie), socialist(fascist), cuz you cannot figure out where I stand on the multicolored train (built by taxes) of the taxation spectrum. Well as April 15th is fast approaching I’ll tell you what I need my money for.

I need to feed the kids (brats), pay the rent (sleeping tax) and download online porn (find it for free loser). I need to pay the sitter (LMS sufferer), put gas in my car (where are those renewable energy sources?) and purchase the neon motorcycle that makes my unit bigger (false advertising) and brain smaller (wheel squeal here I come). I need to pay for the kid’s braces (stop eating paint chips), the mutt’s castration (sorry buddy) and the old lady’s hairdo ($150 +$9.15 in tax and $25 tip (please tip your servers)).

So you see my dilemma. I want my money. As do you I’m sure. Yet, I’m a reasonable man (sometimes) and I realize that in a modern society we need taxes. Without taxes we’d be back in the aforementioned caveman days. No electricity (unless you’re the Spider Man villain Electro), shopping malls (mallrat’s home away from home) or internet (thank you Al Gore). Gone are the comforts of internal plumbing (hurray outhouses), air conditioning (my balls are sweating) and modern medicine (here’s your leaches Mr. Carney).

So we’re back at taxes (still with me?). All I ask is that we collect them, audit them and spend them in a reasonable and fair way.

I’m against taxing the poor to make the rich richer (we do), taxing the rich to make the poor poorer (we do) and taxing the middle class to make them more middlish (again, we do).

I’m against letting the people who spend my taxes audit themselves. No more special interest groups (kickbacks), regional power grabs (pork barrel fun) or illegal contributions (buying our elections).

I’m against the current climate of cronyism (Halliburton), cronyism (I nominate my nanny to the Supreme Court) and cronyism (my boss’s dimwit lovechild getting my promotion)

So what we got here folks is a classic Catch 22 (best American novel of the 2nd half of the 20th century) Without taxes our society cannot exist, but with taxes we cannot spend our money on what we need (food, lawn furniture and hair care products).

What are we to do? Rebel (you’ll die), cry (people will laugh at you) or rob a bank (you’ll spend many a year in a “pound you in the ass prison”). Run for office (one way trip to corruption), write your senator (get a nice form letter complete with stamped signature) or drop off the money grid and start bartering (I’ll give you two bits of manna for some of your curds and whey).

Sorry folks we’re stuck. You’re stuck, I’m stuck, and the creepy guy at the tollbooth (salary paid by taxes) is stuck (in a little booth).

So I grit my teeth and pay my taxes, wishing I could use the imaginary children my bi-polar ex claimed we had as dependents. I’m sure you’re in the same boat (give her Lithium) and I feel for us all.

So on this day, tax day, April 15th, I write a check, seal the envelope with tears of loss and frustration and look to my wallet where a lone $20 bill rests. That’s all I have for the day. Food, gas and more food; you name it $20 is all I got.

So where to start? See reader, I do plan on stopping my rant (maybe) and supply a modicum of useful information (a list of what I did today; where’s my Pulitzer?).

I wander the Winter Park Farmer’s Market. Easily one of the best spent lazy Saturday mornings in Orlando. I stop by the Lemonade Stand, and guzzle two cups of fresh squeezed, absolutely delicious lemonade (complete with enough sugar to spaz out an elephant) at $1.75 a pop. Then I’m on to “The Ultimate Bagel.” How great can they really be? Ultimate is a pretty strong word (coming soon the new, the improved, Ultimate Carney). But they taste great, and I shell out another $3.00. I wander through the people, the dogs and the stalls of exotic teas, plants and pastas. I’m guessing most of these people, with their designer clothes, designer cars and designer dogs, have also written large checks today. If so, they can afford it, cuz none of them seem to be scrimping.

Soon it’s lunch and I find myself at one of my favorite places, Cubans To Go on Lee Rd. one of the best little hidden joints anywhere in the metro. Good food cheap. But be patient. As the sign says they aren’t a fast food joint. Classic Cuban Combo, with black beans and rice $5.85 (including tax). Add a root beer for $.79 and I’m golden, relaxing on the patio to the sweet sounds of Lee Rd. Traffic.

So my tab so far is $13.14, and I’m driving on empty, the red light blazing into my eyes like a mocking scarlet letter. You’re poor. I’m an economic pariah, unloved by the overlords of cash (I need a new job), the sprites of change (already cashed it in at the change-omatic machine at the grocery store) or the captains of credit (they hate me).

I spend 22 seconds pumping $3.00 in gasoline, and not for the first or last time contemplate adapting my car to run on used cooking oil. So what if other drivers suddenly crave McDonald’s fries, fall victim to massive breakouts or have terrifying flashbacks to mall food court jobs. I’m poor damnit.

So I’ve got less than 4 bucks to eat dinner, or I could buy a pounder of Olde English to drunk away my hunger. What little bit of self respect I’ve got left denies me this option and I settle for a Lotto ticket and a couple of pizza dog taco roll thingamajiggers from the gas station. I cringe and scarf them down, surprised to find they’re not all that bad.

Later, I crawl into bed, thankful that this dark day has passed, wondering if I’ll wake up a millionaire and be able to afford a whole bunch more of those suspect tubular food items. They have upwards of twelve different varieties. At that rate I can go six more years of tax day. Till then, I’ll dream of millions and subsist on foodstuffs my dog turns down.

Originally Published in IO Magazine

Nouveau Burlesque: What Was Old Is Nou

2008-04-18T15:27:00.006-04:00

The Birth of Nouveau Burlesque

By Chris Carney

Burlesque surged to popularity during the Victorian Era as a panacea for all the ills foisted on the lower classes. Mores had become stilted, sexuality taboo and the aristocracy aloof.

Combining ribald humor, mocking imitations of the upper crust and, of course, glimpses of the female form, burlesque competed with vaudeville. Often known for spoofing opera, Shakespearian drama and ballet, burlesque was popular well into the 20th century.

To the surprise of many, burlesque wasn't a taboo institution. Some of the great, early movie stars got their start in burlesque. Mae West used the lessons learned to turn heads and get laughs in her later "legitimate" career. W.C. Fields, Red Skelton and Abbott and Costello perfected their humor alongside gorgeous, barely clothed women. (Talk about working through distraction! Thank the Maker they refrained from taking part in the art of the tease.)

With the advent of movies, burlesque faded. Then came World War II and the culturally stilted '50s. Sexuality went underground once more, only to be unleashed with a fury in the '60s and '70s. Mores were smothered under the mountain of quick-money greed in the '80s, and the '90s brought a sense of exploration and an ardor for things "old school." People became nostalgic for the glitz, the glamour and the tease lost in the "free sex" era and repressed once more by the era of AIDS.

Thus, nouveau burlesque was born. The tease was safe. The tease was titillating. The tease was back. Troupes formed in New York and Los Angeles, but it wasn't till Sin City grasped hold that nouveau burlesque joined its older sister as a force of nature. Where lace, satin and the odd bit of leather may stir tantalizing memories, the true masters of the tease are these priestesses of the born-again art of burlesque. Come, join our expedition into their temples of temptation to find that the old is new once more.

CRAZY GIRLS: Glistening at you in print ads, perched atop the cab you took from the airport and dominating the skyline, there they are, lying in wait to climb down and engage in some kind of Godzilla-inspired battle of sexiness before returning to their billboard lair.

Head over to the Riviera where you can fondle the cast of girls' bronzed backsides for luck, something that's become a tradition at the Riv. Just make sure it's the statue you're grabbing.

FANTASY: Deep in the pyramid of Luxor, intrepid explorers of all things risqu� will come across the girls of Fantasy, who bring the art of imaginative sensuality to its limits, while engaging in some of the most classic "fantasies," including sexy secret agent, workplace romance and lusting after the cowboy.
Choreographed by Cris Judd, Fantasy's mix of seduction, singing and comedy is best for couples.

FOLIES BERGERE: This show is the classics of classics. Some sort of Folies probably appeared onstage about the time cavemen began to realize that they no longer needed to club their women. A quick mastodon ride earned them a night of sensual bliss unseen in their dank caves.

The Las Vegas show at the Tropicana is anything but ancient, though. The traditional cancan has never been steamier, the Latin mambo engenders thoughts of running for the border and the gorgeous women remind even the most stalwart of their animal sensuality.

LAS VEGAS PUSSYCAT DOLLS: If you haven't drooled over, oops, heard of this gorgeous troupe of hip-shimmying ladies, you might be living in a deep hole (or maybe under a rock in the above-mentioned cave).

Representing the newest of the new, the Pussycat Dolls at Caesars Palace often have special guests who top every guy's most-lusted-after list, and if it gets too hot, step over to Pure nightclub for a cool cocktail.

IVAN KANE'S FORTY DEUCE/ROYAL JELLY: This one's a twofer, as the show changes depending on which day of the week you're seeking forbidden pleasures. The speakeasy vibe of the Mandalay Bay club drifts about you in slow cigarette-smoke curls. Most nights, you'll be whisked back to the '20s with hot jazz and smoking dancers.

Raise the volume on Thursdays when the Forty Deuce goes harder, with Royal Jelly and its blend of live rock 'n' roll and provocative dancing.

CRAZY HORSE PARIS: Could you ask for a more titillating experience than MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris? After all, the word burlesque, and nouveau for that matter, is French. Inspired by the original and stocked with dangerous beauties, the show at the MGM Grand may just be the quintessential in fantasy.

Crazy Horse ain't no strip show. It is art in motion. It is 12 of the most perfect, jaw-dropping beauties, stroked and painted by multicolored lights. The feeling is otherworldly, extra-dimensional and perfect.
Nouveau burlesque takes an art form as ancient as man from the fire-lit caves of yore into the high-tech world of light, sound, movement and form. In a world of stilted mores, bad manners and overwrought sensuality, it comes as a savior. It reminds us that patience, the wait and, above all, the tease make life richer, lively and human. Hats off to nouveau!

Originally Published in Las Vegas Magazine

The Black Keys

2007-11-23T02:36:00.001-05:00

The Black Keys – Magic Potion
By Chris Carney

Having long been a man who considers himself comfortable with his sexuality I have no problems declaring, loud and proud, for all the world to hear, that I have a huge Man Crush on the Black Keys.

It is a warm assembly of related feelings; pride of discovery, feral excitement from deep within my nethers and maybe a wee bit of jealousy. Then there is the shared surname. Patrick Carney is a beast on the drums, dredging up memories of Keith Moon’s raucous skin beatings, but I find myself pining for a familial connection that does not exist in the real world. Add in the precision guttural howls of Dan Auerbach’s vocals and guitars and you’ll be left doubting that they truly are just two dudes from Akron. Surely so much music cannot come from two guys.

See them live and you’ll realize there is no subterfuge at work. Carney smacks his drums in a near perfect real world imitation of Animal from the Muppets while Auerbach’s guitar centered cavorting causes arm hair chills that spike adrenaline and emotion.

So it was with an embarrassing sense of childlike glee that I tore open their latest album Magic Potion and popped it into the office stereomatic discotron player. Now some may fear their joining up with Warner based Nonesuch records as the inevitable band sellout. Fear not, the edge, the distortion and the near constant danger of redlining your equipment is still there. That is not to say that Magic Potion is not an evolution. Dreading the pigeon hole effect, The Black Keys mix a bit more rock into the melodic blues of previous albums. The lead track “Just Got to Be” beats off the forehead, while “Just a Little Heat” has Auerbach dredging up his inner Muddy Waters with lines like “Why can’t trouble find a new friend?”

All in all, the big label leap seems to have done the boys from Akron well. Magic Potion is simultaneously crisp and fuzzy, hard and melodic and is a well spent $10.

Published in IO Magazine September 2006

Tony Danza

2007-10-30T00:55:00.000-04:00

Along Came Tony
By Chris Carney

Tony Danza? Wasn’t he that guy from “Who’s the Boss?” Yes he was, but on August 13th when he takes over the role of Max Bialystock, Las Vegas will learn that he has always been much more. A one time professional boxer, talk show host and Emmy nominated actor, Tony is that rarity in modern America, the all around good guy. “Everybody loves Tony,” Mel Brooks once said.

His combination of charm, charisma and warmth even defines his approach to Max. ”I play him a little more likable. I think of him as a rogue charmer.” He knows that he is up to no good, but he just can’t help himself.” Tony feels like Max. Not to suggest that Tony has fallen prey to Max’s less that savory ways, but you know, if he wanted to, he too could swindle elderly widows. He’s just that charming.

He even handles the inevitable comparisons to the Tony (pun probably intended) Award winning portrayal of Max by Nathan Lane with a sly nod. “First off I’m thinner, but what I’m really trying to do Mel Brooks. Max is Mel’s alter ego.”

But Tony has dealt with all of this before. Max is not new to him. For over 100 shows Tony portrayed Max on Broadway, along with Vegas co-stars Lee Roy Reams, Bill Nolte and Madeline Doherty. “I’m so excited, I’ve got the Broadway cast here,” Tony said with a sense of real joy. Despite all the glitz, neon and the heat he must feel a little like he’s come home.

“I’ve never tried to live here. It should be interesting. I’m living in a hotel, which is a first.” There is little doubt that Vegas will find him as interesting and expect him to make The Producer’s one of the hottest tickets on the strip.

In many a way Tony Danza has moved beyond being just an actor, or a talk show host or an all around good guy. Thanks to Phoebe of Friend’s, rendition of the song “Tiny Dancer,” Tony has reached an iconic cult status. So much so that many cannot hear Elton John classic without singing “Hold me close now Tony Danza.”

So now, when you think of Tony Danza, think song and dance man, think iconic cult figure and think I’d like to hang out with that guy. For several months at Paris casino you can do just that.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 8-26-07

History of the Cup

2007-10-30T00:50:00.002-04:00

History of the Cup
By Chris Carney

It is often said that the discovery of fire, the invention of the wheel and the mass marketing of Viagra are among humankind’s crowning achievements. And where these accomplishments have most certainly altered the course of human history (Do you think FDR or Ike would have discussed Erectile Dysfunction on the campaign trail?), they are not the only invention of historical significance.

We must rank another, overlooked, dare I say common, household item on the pearly white pedestal of man’s finest creations. One without whom, we would likely die of dehydration, be forced to rename some of our most hallowed sporting events, have no accurate way of measuring the size of a woman’s breasts or leave the most sensitive, and dangly, bits of the male anatomy at the mercy of any malevolent opponent or stray ball.

I am of course talking about the cup. A simple device on the surface, the origin of the cup, the slim to none chance of its invention/discovery and the effects on the course of history is a story that should be read loud and proud in our most hallowed of learning institutions.

Recently, archaeologists have uncovered the startling history of the cup. And for the first time, in a world exclusive, IO Magazine brings you that story.

Sometime towards the end of the last Ice Age (9800 BC or so) two domicile deprived people of the Earth (cavemen) wandered, cold, hungry and most of all thirstily through the cold wastes of the world. They were Lar and his buddy Atouk (played brilliantly in the 1981 film Caveman by Dennis Quaid and Ringo Starr). Lar and Atouk were thirsty and came across a lovely, lovely stream. They licked their lips and dreamt of the cool water, but became angry upon discovering that they have no way of getting the water from stream to mouth (lacking proper bathroom facilities and antibacterial soap their hands were filthy and therefore unusable).

They wandered and in their thirst induced haze came across a most unusual object. It turned out to be a coconut, most likely carried from the tropics by two African Swallows. While arguing over this talisman of mighty magic, the coconut fell hit a jagged rock and split, revealing two cup like halves. Desperate they used their new tool to re-hydrate themselves, saving their tribe and the entire human race.

Millennia later, at the height of the Roman Empire. It is the 18th of July AD 64 and Emperor Nero as he was want to do, is drunk as a skunk. He is sipping a moonshine like substance his legions have imported from Scotland, from a jewel-encrusted goblet of great beauty. The Great Man has learned a new trick and spits moonshine through a torch and breathing fire like a dragon. Unfortunately the flames engulfed his magnificent curtains. Thus began the Great Fire of Rome, which ended with most of the city devastated. Nearly 2000 years later bartenders get applause, tips and offers of sexual congress for performing the same routine. Way to go Nero!

The cup next shows up whilst King Arthur and his Knights scour Europe for the mystical Holy Grail. These adventures are most accurately retold in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), especially the bits about the killer rabbit, the Knights who say Ni and the Castle of Virgins. To these brave knights the cup represented all. Life affirming magic, the grace of God and much, much running away, were all tied into one small, seemingly insignificant cup (seen only in hand drawn, stop motion, holographic form).

In the same part of the world, nearly 1,000 years later a game called Tennis was invented. Mighty warriors would do battle on a field of green, swatting circular missiles at each other with rackets made of catgut. All this hubbub was for a great reward that would one-day lead to the hallowed Davis Cup.

Not satisfied with this simple method of warfare the cup also had a hand in the noble game of golf, wherein men, and later women, would smack a ball around with a long stick, all in the hopes of sinking it in a little cup. The reward for excellence in this activity range from million dollar purses, to odd colored jackets, to endorsement deals with Buick. Is it coincidence that goal of this game is the same function provided by another variety of cup?

The jock strap, athletic supporter and cup are all essential bits of equipment for every teenage boy. Fully part of an ancient, often humiliating, coming of age ritual the use of a cup to protect the newly descended, male reproductive organs has had a long reaching affect on the human race. Imagine the NFL without the Manning brothers. Had Archie not been a devotee of the athletic cup, we may never have been graced with his son’s greatness.

Not satisfied with ensuring the reproductive survival of the human race, the cup also allows men to rate, average and measure the quality of a potential mate. Sure we could look at intelligence, honesty, purity, kindness and various other aspects of the wonderful package that is woman, but men are pigs and it’s often, and usually initially, about the boobs. Without the cup size we could not accurately gauge this shallow, yet seemingly all important, anatomical measurement, and thousands of plastic surgeons around the world would be forced to practice actual medicine.

And finally we return to the original reason for the invention of the cup, drinking. And we must marvel, again, at the slim to none chance of Lar and Atouk’s “invention.” As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, we should hold our pints of Guinness (ban that green beer crap) aloft, praise our ancestors and pour a bit of our frothy, tasty beverage onto the ground as a homage to the debt we owe our ancient brethren.

Published in I.O. Magazine March 2006

Bill Maher

2007-10-30T00:40:00.000-04:00

Keeping it Real
By Chris Carney

This guy became famous, or more likely infamous, after getting fired from his ABC show Politically Incorrect for being, umm, politically incorrect.

We could debate the political ramifications of his firing. You may believe that he is Un-American and deserved to be fired, or that by expressing his opinion, regardless of how controversial or edgy it was, he defined what it means to be American.

Don’t feel too bad though, as Maher managed to parlay his wit, intelligence and humor into a gig hosting Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO, a venue much better suited to his fiery opinions and off the cuff sense of humor than stilted network TV.

You may love him or hate him, but one truth rings true, he won’t bore you. In a world where most media outlets “tell” you what to think, inducing divisiveness and distrust, Maher forces you think. He doesn’t ask you to agree with him, just to have an educated opinion.

With Real Time on hiatus, Maher has taken to the road to spread his political satire to the masses. You may nod your head in agreement or shake your fist in disgust, but one thing is sure, you’ll laugh and learn.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 9-30-07

Kings of Leon

2007-10-30T00:35:00.000-04:00

Preaching to the Choir
By Chris Carney

It seems increasingly frequent that Europe falls in love with American bands before we even know they exist. Kings of Leon, the three brothers Followill and a cousin to boot, define this enigma. Their latest album, “Because of the Times,” debuted at #1 on the UK music charts, their live performances earned them a second billing at the perennial juggernaut Glastonbury Festival in 2004 and they’ve sold out an end of the year, all arena tour in the UK.

Don’t fret quite yet though. For once being Johnny-come-lately may just be a boon. Unlike our friends across the pond, we get to enjoy Kings of Leon in small, intimate venues like The Joint at the Hard Rock. Ask any frequent concert goer and they’ll tell you smaller is definitely better.

The puzzle grows ever deeper as the depths of these Nashville twang-rockers are plumbed. While most kids were learning their ABC’s, the family Followill, went nomadic, touring the Bible Belt in a purple ’88 Oldsmobile alongside Pentecostal preacher father Leon.

Anachronism not only defines their nature it defines their music. Kings of Leon are full on musical missionaries. Catch their lyrical ministry now and you can say you knew them when the message was still young.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 9-9-07

Vent May 2006

2007-10-25T01:05:00.001-04:00

VENT May 2006
By Chris Carney
(Writing as John Coctosnossin)

I am a historian by education and a food service engineer by trade. Both roles have taught me much about human nature. I’ve found much to praise, much to decry and to no surprise, to anybody who knows me, much to be annoyed by.

Crouched at the top of this list, ably playing the role of scavenging vulture of the human spirit, are those incapable of original thought. I’m talking about the yes man, the fashion slave, the religious fanatic, the corporate radio apologist, the political party zealot and any other of our fellow upright apes that let others tell them what to think without question, thought or debate.

Debate is essential to democracy. This is why the founding fathers wrote our constitution the way they did. They understood that in a truly free society the ability to think and speak ones mind is essential.

So when I hear demagogues and professional yellers like Chris Matthews and Bill O’Reilly, spouting their canned, packaged and artificially sweetened versions of patriotism I become enraged. To them, it seems, patriotism is blindly following those in power, while waving the flag without knowledge of what it means. Sadly patriotism is not that easy. If it were we’d still be living in the imaginary greatness of the mythic 50’s. Sadly true patriotism is hard and it requires knowledge, commitment and above all, original thought.

We live in the greatest country in the world. Conservatives know this. Liberals know this. Republicans, Democrats and Independents of all stripes know this. So I call for a truce. Let Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coultier stop endorsing the genocide of liberals. Let Al Franken and Michael Moore stop calling conservatives stupid liars.

And to all of us little people out there, the historians, the food service engineers and all the rest, start thinking for yourself. Turn of Fox News and read the independent press. Turn off the national radio jabber kings and listen to your local talk shows. Put down the New York Times and read the foreign press. Find other sources of information, read and listen and watch all you can and then make up your own mind.

Trust me if we do this you’ll learn a lot, and it will be much harder for those in charge who want to keep us all ignorant, bored and afraid, to steal our country from us all.

Published in I.O. Magazine May 2006

Vent April 2006

2007-10-25T01:03:00.001-04:00

VENT April 2006
By Chris Carney
(Writing as John Coctosnossin)

Recently I’ve fallen victim to aspersion, falsity and misrepresentation. I’ve been on the steel toed boot end of the great cheat, been bamboozled by the greenback trickster and the made the mark of the banknote flimflam.

All this could enrage me, cause my eyes to bulge in crimson fury or force me to enact long dormant plans for redress. Yet, sadly I find myself in restraint mode, and all due to a little thing called karma.

Now I’m not Buddhist, or Hindu or a devotee of Jainism or even a Sikh, but I do have a vague belief in karma. Similar to my belief that aliens once visited our wondrous blue world, that the pyramids are older than the “authorities” claim and that our moon is really hollow, my belief in karma is based on the idea that it is cool and I’d like it to be true. Add in a little bit of healthy fear of the unknown, as in I won’t throw my hands up in anger at any god, cuz they just might smite me, and we got a whole load of superstitious restraint going on.

That being said I’d rather believe in the “My Name is Earl” version of karma, where I make a list, make up for my past sins and happy day, things are all better. I wonder if my recent karmic oppressors are of the same bent.

I doubt it, and as much as I wish in the evil part of my being that they fall victim to a much deserved redress, I take solace in the notion that I am trying, both to remain positive and hope for a reversal of their current actions.

But, I’ve learned that we live in a western culture, where many people don’t believe in karma. All I can hope is that they learn how to be good people, despite their lack of karmic insight.

As such I am a home schooled devotee of karma. I may not get what it is truly about, but I am an expert on what I want it to be.

Published in I.O. Magazine April 2006

Vent March 2006

2007-10-25T01:02:00.001-04:00

VENT March 2006
By Chris Carney
(Writing as John Coctosnossin)

My constant observation of people, places and things have made me aware that we’ve become a country of self absorbed, shallow wannabes. Whether it’s the plague of reality TV (Dancing with the Stars is a hit for God’s sake) or the explosion of plastic surgery disasters (just watch Nip/Tuck for the terrifying, if unlikely possibilities); America is a collective victim of the Look at Me Syndrome.

Celebrities, and their professional stalkers (paparazzi) aside; the Look at Me Syndrome, commonly known as LMS, has overrun the mainstream of our once modest society. And to date there is no cure.

Common symptoms of LMS include, but are not limited to, unnecessarily loud cars that buzz, crackle and boom; fake boobs that defy the forces of gravity and reality; monster trucks that mask physical inadequacies; huge bug eye sunglasses that eat ones face; shirts so tight that ribs, nipples and beer guts are all free for the ogling; shorts and sweatpants that advertise (often falsely) the properties of ones ass (52” of Juicy, shiver); tattoos inked under the influence of alcohol and cliché (please no more cat paw breast tattoos or tribal band blandness) and t-shirts that make impossible demands (Stop Staring! plastered across a pair of a newly purchased Double Ds).

LMS is a serious ailment that can lead to family strife, ruined credit and barely remembered hookups. Those afflicted are like addicts, constantly in search of their next fix.

It is also highly likely that someone close to you is a victim of LMS. So what are you, as a loving, caring, or just plain disgusted, friend, lover, sister, brother, mother, father or random bystander to do? A well delivered slap to the bloated ego of the LMS victim is always a good start, but it must go much, much further than that. We must discourage the ailment by praising real accomplishments and exhibitions of actual talent (and no, having nice hair is not a talent).

It seems we’ve lost our ability to be noticed, praised and respected for actual skills, aptitude and inventiveness. As a society we have reduced our expectations to the lowest absurd denominator. We must tackle LMS head on, or the world as we know it will soon come to an unpleasant, but probably ravishingly attractive end.

As the sage Derek Zoolander once said, “There has got to be more to life than just being, really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking.” Till we discover what that is, this gorgeous hunk of a wordsmith will be staring at himself in the mirror, primping his hair and dreaming of his manhood enhancing monster truck.

Published in I.O. Magazine January 2006

Vent February 2006

2007-10-25T01:01:00.001-04:00

VENT February 2006
By Chris Carney
(Writing as John Coctosnossin)

By far the most challenging day of this shortest month of the year is Valentine’s Day. Whereas Presidents’ Day, a weird amalgamation of Lincoln’s 12th and Washington’s 22nd, has but one proviso… “Buy a new car at Johnny Hairpiece’s mega, ultra, low price car monstrosity. No money down, 10 year/one trillion mile warranty. Buy now and get a free I-Pod.” … Valentine’s Day is much, much more serious.

It’s what I like to call an obligation holiday, from obligation meaning do it or risk waking to find your jumbly bits in a vice and holiday meaning a fun vacation like experience. So you see the problem here. In my book, these two things cannot peacefully co-exist. Therefore I call for a ban, boycott, embargo, injunction, interdiction, limitation, prohibition, proscription, restriction, stoppage and suppression of this holiday.

This is in no manner an attack on love and all its future litigations. Love is great and I want it when I don’t have it. And I whine, complain, spike drinks with dubious love potions and empower various types of voodoo dolls when it is withheld from me.

Yet, if one looks at the history behind Valentine’s Day we begin to understand that automatically correlating February 14th with love is like equating Courtney Love with sanity. (Ooh, fancy play on words) The confusing and convoluted history of this day involves everything from Roman priests, torture and imprisonment, illegal marriages and women being slapped with bloody bits of goat hide. (Hey baby, can I slap ya with my goat hide?)

I therefore propose that we remove Valentine’s Day from the calendar and scrub our collective memory of this day, perhaps using some sorta fancy nano-technology. However I am far from a brave soul, and I am terrified that the powers that be (chocolate and greeting card companies, rose peddlers and those scary diamond folks) will send the industries chief assassin, Cupid, to shoot his arrows into my tender backside. (There’s some sort of euphemism going on here.)

It’s high time that we replace Valentine’s Day (VD as I like to call it) with an altogether new holiday. Therefore I have created HAPPY FUN DAY!!! The world’s first non-denominational, non-cultural holiday. It’s for everyone, be thee black, white or Inuit, Muslim, Christian or Jew, American, foreign or alien (the outer space kind) you can do something fun to make yourselves happy. And we can still buy all the same crap we do for VD. (One Billion cards among other things) So sheath your poison arrows Cupid and go have fun and be happy.

Published in I.O. Magazine February 2006

Vent January 2006

2007-10-25T01:00:00.003-04:00

VENT January 2006
By Chris Carney
(Writing as John Coctosnossin)

January 2006
Another New Year’s Eve has come and gone. Left behind is the one night a year when everyone is compelled to imbibe copious amounts of beverages. Gone are the inhibitions, ethics and morality that guides us the rest of the year.

For one night we are allowed, no expected, to throw away centuries of civilized behavior. We devolve into primal man in the hope that when we wake we’ll have to re-introduce ourselves to the naked body sharing the bed, grab our underwear of the ceiling fan and use our GPS to find out where the hell we are. And hopefully we’ll have the day off to recover.

New Year’s Eve. Hedonism’s holiday. Was it fun? I hope so, cuz now comes THE NEW YEARS RESOLUTION.

Oh Crap! There’s so many things that TV says is wrong with me. I’m fat, drooping and wrinkled. I need to read more better, earn my degree online and become a devotee of a celebrity endorsed pseudo-religion. My girl wants my hair to grow back and my manhood to work better. Oh the pressure!

A week later I’ve given up . And why? Cuz all that crap is tough. I’m American. I like things to be easy, pain free and quick. Oh if someone could just invent a pill, a system or some kind of apparatus that would cure all my ills.

(Snappy Advertising Jingle) INTRODUCING … The Hollywood Instant Fixotron System. In just 14 pain free days you too can have six pack abs, regrow hair, cure impotence, increase your sex drive, burn fat, scour your intestinal track and freshen your breath. Comes in two flavors: fresh mint and halibut. Endorsed by doctors you’ve never heard of and manufactured by a company that will soon be indicted. So act quick and you too can be one of the beautiful people.

This has been a paid advertisement for The Hollywood Instant Fixotron System. Patent Rejected. Claims Disproved. 2006.

Published in I.O. Magazine January 2006
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Luis Miguel

2007-10-25T00:09:00.001-04:00

The Ambassador of Romance
By Chris Carney

So, Mexican Independence Weekend, September 14, 15th and 16th, is closing in quickly and you have no plans. Well fear not, because the folks at Caesar’s Palace have you covered when they bring International Latin megastar Luis Miguel to the Coliseum for a rare three-night engagement.

Miguel has released 20 albums, topped the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks Chart a staggering 29 times, sold over 65 million albums and even released his own brand of award winning wine, Unico.

“He’s like the Mexican Elvis. He’s very popular,” said longtime Mexican David Escobedo.

If that wasn’t enough to cause feelings of inadequacy in most men and doe-eyed swooning in most women, this self-described loner has dated some of the hottest women on the planet, all why decrying his heartthrob image and clinging to his privacy.

“I maintain my sanity by keeping my distance,” Miguel has said.

He performs onstage with the same level of passion. “The most enjoyable part of my career is singing live,” Miguel says.

In a world where we’ve all become schitzo paparazzi more interested in the dating habits, fashion statements and celebrity mug shots, it is a pleasant surprise to find, for some artists like Luis Miguel, it still is about the art.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 9-9-07

Aaron Lewis

2007-10-24T23:34:00.001-04:00

Anger Management
By Chris Carney

Aaron Lewis is angry; again. I hear what you’re saying. This is nothing new, but this time we may be the beneficiaries. Lewis, the famed Grammy winning singer/songwriter/chief curmudgeon of Staind, feeds of emotions. You can hear it in his voice, you can feel it in his lyrics and if you venture out on Sept. 27th, you can see it in the man.

Lewis, upset over the lack of reaction to Staind’s last album vented.

"I think nobody cares [about Staind] anymore. We don't wear jeans that are our sister's, and we don't wear our hair purposely messed up … and we don't hit our snare drum 500 times in one song.”

It is easy to understand the frustration. We’ve all felt it, and many of us. that have spent money at a venue featuring a girl pants wearing band, have fed Lewis’ anger. And bravo to us, because Lewis is one of those guys who feeds on anger, who rises above mediocrity when annoyed and performs his best when his emotions get the better of him.

So hope that Aaron Lewis is still pissed off, he channels that energy into his performance and maybe, just maybe, you’ll see him smash his acoustic guitar in a fit of musical rage.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 9-23-07

Jimmy Buffett

2007-10-24T19:27:00.001-04:00

Island Fever
By Chris Carney

It’s a good thing Jimmy Buffett is a likable guy. If not, his success at, well just about everything, might engender serious bouts of jealousy. He has sold millions of albums, is one of seven authors to hit #1 on both the fiction and nonfiction charts and owns some of the top grossing restaurants in the country.

His fans, dubbed Parrotheads, continue to flock to his shows, making his tours consistent crashers of the big money party. At 60 his energy is infectious and is a hallmark of someone whose mantra “I love my job,” rings true.

“He lives the life we all want to live,” said one longtime Parrothead. “For a few hours I can get away from my dumb job, my crappy car and hang with Jimmy in the tropics.”

I hear you, the MGM Grand is pretty snazzy, but the tropics it is not. Well Mr. Naysayer, clearly you haven’t been to the Grand Garden Arena when Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band is in town. You’ll sip margaritas, join the largest karaoke troupe in the world and for a few short hours change your attitude, if not your latitude. Grab your brightly colored shirts, grass skirts and substance inspired headgear and join the party.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 10-14-07

Morrissey

2007-10-24T18:23:00.000-04:00

Papal Visit
By Chris Carney

A consistent chart topper in the UK and one of the legendary grandfathers of alternative rock, Morrissey is one of those artists who seem incapable of avoiding controversy.

Morrissey has been many things; ardent vegetarian, longtime celibate asexual, political lightning rod, and, according to the judge presiding over a royalties lawsuit by ex Smiths drummer Mike Joyce, "devious, truculent and unreliable."

But one thing remains as true today as it did in 1982 when the The Smiths debuted; Morrissey is a phenomenon, as much cultural as musical. Adoration and anger follow him wherever he treads. You either love him or hate him.

His dark, swimming lyrics are direct responses to the world he lives in, whether political, cultural or dietary. At once depressing and uplifting, serious yet silly they tell the tale of a man who is very hard to understand.

That may be the very reason he’s remained popular through three decades. He speaks openly of the contradictions that live in us all. Through his sometimes odd behavior we see that it is all right to be a little quirky, to hold things dear when others are apathetic and to persevere when others give up.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 9-16-07

Christian Scott

2007-10-24T17:33:00.001-04:00

A Note of Success.
By Chris Carney

Jazz is one of life’s great experiences. It can be spiritual, bring one to tears and cause the uncontrollable tapping of toes. If it’s really good jazz it does all this and more. Like all great experiences jazz should be experienced live. Whether it’s the static skip of an old Louis Armstrong record, the whirring spin of a Wynton Marsalis disc or the digital thunder of the latest Christian Scott MP3, recordings just don’t do the music justice. You gotta see jazz live.

One of the best places in Vegas to do just that is the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station. On Sept. 29th one of the great new stars, Christian Scott, will take the stage bathed in the blue light that seems to define the genre.

At 22, the Berklee College of Music educated and New Orleans native, is already a blue note force. He’s toured extensively since he was 16 and has recently released his first album Anthem.

Scott may be young, but he’s already proven to one of jazz’s most exciting young innovators. "I set out to find my own style to convey how I feel in my heart.” Scott said. Lucky for us he lets us come along on the ride.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 9- 23-07

Brooks and Dunn

2007-10-24T17:29:00.001-04:00

Scoot on In
By Chris Carney

Brooks and Dunn are, put simply, a whirling tornado of musical frenzy. Not since Hall and Oates has a musical duo torn through the American music landscape, leaving lesser bands with no choice but to seek out the wizard’s help to get back home.

Since forming in 1991, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have earned more awards then can be counted on all their fingers and toes (assuming the standard ten fingers and ten toes). They’ve won the CMA Vocal Duo Award every year from 1991-2007, save 2000, when friends Montgomery Gentry induced a one year hiccup.

Red Bull has nothing on their high energy live shows that consistently remain near the top in highest grossing tours, year after year. They can even claim the leader of the free world a fan. W used the duo’s songs “Hard Workin’ Man” and “Only in America” as the official campaign songs for both of his winning Presidential bids.

They’ve even been blamed for the mid 90’s line-dancing craze. When hearing their mid 90’s juggernaut hit “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” few can resist the urge to dance, hands on hips.

Relive that craze of yore Sept 19th – 22nd and go VIP for a meet and greet with the superstars themselves.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 9-16-07

The Black Crowes

2007-10-24T17:16:00.000-04:00

Phoenix Rising
By Chris Carney

Musicians used to come to Las Vegas to live out the last of their days, waiting for their careers to fizzle and die. Things have certainly changed. Vegas is no longer the sputtering neon graveyard of the has been and never were. Sin City is now a welcome stop on any tour.

This new life is something very familiar to the Black Crowes. Once critical darlings and fan favorites, the Crowes’ fell of the map and were lost to the mists of the once great. The early 2000’s were less than kind to bandleaders Chris and Rich Robinson. Several label switches, a revolving door of hired and fired band mates and low album sales caused many to pronounce The Black Crowes dead and gone. For a while the Crowes proved it true.

But, like a musical Lazarus, the brothers Robinson have come back from the brink. A New Year’s Eve concert at Madison Square Garden, a live DVD release and an upcoming new album have proven that any obituary is premature at best.

The Black Crowes couldn’t find a better place to celebrate their second chance at life that The Pearl at the Palms. A venue the Pharaohs of old would gladly call home.

Published in Las Vegas Magazine 10-7-07