As many of you know I love to discover new talent, and help them get exposure in the City they call “The Entertainment Capital of the World.” I have found a young man I think is definitely geared to become a major entertainer in Las Vegas, if not the World. It’s not going to happen overnight, but I do believe it will happen. His name, oh yeah, it’s Chadwick Johnson (no relation), and he’ll be appearing in the showroom at the Italian American Club, on East Sahara, this coming Wednesday, March 18, with a very reasonable ticket priced at $20.00.
Johnson’s show will feature a wonderful young lady, Naomi Mauro, who sings back-up, and who usually sings a couple of songs herself, during the “Golden in Concert” performance. Chadwick is much more than an award winning singer-songwriter today. His roots go back to singing in church choirs when he was eight, to an outstanding performance in the prestigious Smith Center for the Performing Arts in late 2014. Johnson’s style of bringing his fresh spin to classy Jazz favorites, soulful Blues tunes, and the feel-good Top-40 pop hits, is just one of many reasons he has fast become a Las Vegas favorite
Johnson, from an early age was always surrounded by music, which is why today he shows the love of music and such passion with every song he sings. His Grandmother, Betty, was a big influence on him as he grew up. With the simplicity of love, she installed a strong musical foundation for his future. The two would spend countless hours at the family piano singing together and preparing new songs to either sing at family gathering or in church. One message bestowed on him was: “Always remember that the words in a song are so important, because they are sending a message…”
That message, along with many others, has guided him to where he is today. From singing the National Anthem at high school rodeos at 14, to taking voice lessons in Milwaukee, to getting advice from an agent in Nashville, to singing for President Bill Clinton at a command performance, the road to stardom is never an easy one. Today Chadwick Johnson is an award winning singer, songwriter, and headliner, known for his soulful approach to music, and his love of the great classics from every musical genre.
Since moving to Las Vegas in late 2013, Chadwick has wowed every audience he’s had the pleasure of entertaining. He has performed in some of the most prestigious venues in town including: The Aria, Mirage, Monte Carlo, Suncoast Casino, and the prestigious Hakassan Nightclub at MGM.
Chadwick’s way of relieving the pressures of building his singing career is rather unusual. He drives out to Sandy Valley, where he boards his horse, and practices his skill as a champion Team Roper. That’s right, gang, he was actually a high school rodeo champion. And, when he is not entertaining on a stage, Chadwick is competing in nearby rodeos and roping competitions. “There are a few things that feed the soul like the time I spend working with the horses. It helps keep me grounded,” Johnson commented.
So, I would love to see the showroom at the Italian American Club filled to the rafters on Wednesday night, because once you listen to his music, and watch the magic happen right before your eyes, you will see what I saw when I caught him singing at Lake Las Vegas last summer. It’s a “Magical Night” with Chadwick Johnson! Be there!
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
Recently this reporter had a conversation with John Griffeth , husband and manager of a young lady I met many years ago when she was still a teen-ager, and her father, Dean Martin, was performing at the Sands Hotel with a couple of fellow entertainers who were in a group calling themselves, “The Rat Pack.” Wonder how those guys ended up? Actually, I had met Dean a few years earlier when I was with Joe Louis in Los Angeles. Someday I’ll tell that story too. Oh, yeah, I did it again. I am of course speaking of the dynamic, and lovely young lady everyone refers to as Deana Martin. They were just concluding a musical tour of Australia where they played before huge crowds.
So, John was telling me about the new show they will premiere at the South Point Hotel & Casino, when they next perform there the weekend of Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 30, with show times set for 7:30 p.m., and tickets ranging from$30 to $40.00.
Deana will be backed by a swinging 18 piece orchestra, with the full intention of taking the audience on a contemporary and exciting musical journey through the Great American Songbook, and the legendary superstars of the twentieth century. Martin and her big band will honor the renowned voices, composers and arrangers who crafted the soundtrack of our lives. In this electrifying musical revue, Deana sings hot new arrangements of hits popularized by Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, Dinah Washington and others, including her iconic father Dean and “Uncles” Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. You’ll enjoy a contemporary presentation of your favorite songs like “Beyond The Sea,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” “Destination Moon,” “That’s Life,” “Memories Are Made Of This,” “That’s Amore”, and fresh new songs like: “Where Did You Learn To Love Like That,” ”Read Between The Lines,” and “Stuck In A Dream With Me.”
In the words of noted Jazz Reviewer Don Heckman: “Added to that Deana performs more far-ranging titles, including I Love Being Here With You, The Lady Is A Tramp, Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You and Miss Otis Regrets. That’s a group of songs that would challenge the skills of most artists in the contemporary pop music world. Deana handles it with an illuminating blend of musicality and interpretive skill.”
One of the many highlights of Deana Martin’s Big Band Swing is the electronic duet of True Love, with her dad performing via video. Critics and audiences agree that this is a moving and emotional experience that always brings a standing ovation. Deana Martin’s Big Band Swing has all the essentials of classic concert entertainment: the world’s best music, personal and often hilarious recollections from Deana’s life and career, interaction with her audience, plus her innate musicianship. Deana Martin is undeniably authentic – a living connection to the greatest era in entertainment!
Axs.com reviewer Allen Foster states: “It’s no wonder she is hailed as an important voice in the annals of popular music. As an all-around entertainer, Deana Martin is without equal.”
Treat yourself and those you love to the event of a lifetime. See and enjoy Deana Martin’s Big Band Swing, at the South Point this May. It could very well become a SRO show, so get your tickets early.
Many friends of Marty Allen have called me, asking me to be sure and put another little reminder in the old column about his gig downtown at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino this Sunday and Monday at 7:30 p.m. So, you know, when certain men call and say, “Hey, ya best give him a big plug or else,” well I do not like the “Or else,” so here is my plug for a guy I have known and loved for more than 40 years.
I have been told that he will be spending his time on stage presenting a slide show of his famous collection of photos with the famous people of the world. And has he met the famous! I know little about the collection, having never been to his abode, but from those who have, it is said to be an amazing collection. And, what is so neat is that he has a story to go with each photo, and a lot of those stories are very personal and between just two people who were having a good time at the moment. So, hey, get on the phone and see if you can nab one of those 100 seats (that’s right, there are only 100 seats for each of the nights available for purchase). Tickets are priced at $50.00, but with each ticket comes $50.00 in casino play. How can you beat that, I ask.
Don’t forget, if you make it downtown on March 23rd, be sure to wish Marty a happy 93rd birthday!
Something Extra:
My good friend Gwen Abbott covered the 2015 NASCAR weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway recently and has produced a video for your viewing pleasure. In it, she interviews Brendan Gaughan of the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro and Brian Neudorff, the “NASCAR Weatherman.”
Enjoy!
Well, gang, that’s it for this week.