I often find myself writing about special friends, which is hard to do without being bias regarding that person. However, in the case of Rob Garrett, there is no problem because he is one of the nicest, easiest going, talented entertainers in our village. When he is on stage as Neil Diamond, you are instantly mesmerized into believing you are seeing the real guy. That’s just how darn good Rob is!
A little background on my friend is called for here. Like his iconic counterpart, Garrett was born in New York City. He began learning to sing and play guitar at the age of 13. In 1974, his parents relocated to Las Vegas which still remains his home. In 1980, he formed the group “Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven,” and for 15 years, achieved prominence as the leader and front man of Las Vegas’ premiere “oldies” and classic rock group. The band earned a large local following, performing consistently in various bars, clubs, lounges, and showrooms around Las Vegas.
Then in 1994, fully aware that the celebrity impersonator industry was becoming a huge business, Rob made the decision to take his career in a different direction by paying tribute to one of his all-time boyhood idols (and musical influences), the legendary Neil Diamond. Rob personally auditioned for Paul Revere (founder/leader of the “Raiders“) for “Legends in Concert”, which was at that time in the showroom at the Imperial Palace on the Strip. It was known as the most popular celebrity impersonator production show in the world. He got the job and worked with ‘Legends’ for the next five years. Today, Garrett has established himself as the world’s most popular and requested Neil Diamond tribute artist, earning the title “King of Diamonds.” He continues to set the standard in the industry by performing his tribute show about the iconic singer/songwriter around the country in venues usually reserved for national/name acts.
On May 28, 2008, Rob was presented with the “Male Musical Tribute Artist of the Year” award in Las Vegas. This marked the first (and only) time that such an award was presented to a ‘Neil Diamond’ act. Since January 2009, Rob and his band have been performing on rotation at the Cannery Casino/Hotel in our village. On January 22, 2011, they performed a sold out, SRO, show to over 550 people as a special tribute concert commemorating Neil Diamond’s 70th birthday, and his forthcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Garrett will be performing two special shows this summer at the Santa Fe Station, Saturday, July 6, at 7:00 p.m., and at the North Las Vegas Cannery Hotel & Casino, Saturday, August 17, at 8:00 p.m. Call either location for reservations or information.
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
Dinner in the Sky Las Vegas officially began construction last week with a groundbreaking ceremony, at an 8.8 acre site, minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip. The one-of-a-kind upscale dining attraction (it will be serving meals 180 feet in the air), is scheduled to open later this summer. Celebration attendees included owner, Janeen Hinden, managing partner Kelley Jones, and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) Director of Customer Experience, Hugh Sinnock.
“Dinner in the Sky will bring new meaning to ‘going out to dinner,’” Hinden said. “More than just a dinner, this is a dining attraction. Here at Dinner in the Sky you will enjoy your dinner 180 feet above the ground with the backdrop of fabulous Las Vegas.”
The groundbreaking ceremony was concluded with Hinden, Jones, Sinnock, and Hinden’s two children, Michael Hinden Jr. and Janeen Hinden, breaking ground with oversized spoons. Dinner in the Sky will suspend diners on two open-air tables, each weighing in at nearly seven tons with seating for up to 22 guests, offering 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding mountains. The franchise will be the first of its kind in the U.S., and will become the first addition to the famous Las Vegas skyline since 2010. Dining enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers alike, will enjoy a night out unlike any other; strapped in by six-point harnesses for safety, while enjoying a gourmet dinner. Dinner packages will start at $290.00 per person, and include a three-course meal, with wine pairings, and a complimentary photo. Dinner in the Sky will offer eight nightly seatings at 5, 5:30, 6:30, 7, 8, 8:30, 9:30 and 10 p.m., with each table being in the air for approximately one hour.
The parent-company sponsor remains the same, but Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race will have a new name beginning in 2014. The Sam’s Town 300 is to be known henceforth as the Boyd Gaming 300.
“With our recent extension, Boyd Gaming is looking forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary as the sole corporate sponsor of the Nationwide Series race since it began in 1997,” Paul Chakmak, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Boyd Gaming, said. “The new name we’ve selected – the Boyd Gaming 300 – reflects what the race has become over the years, a marquee event for our customers across the country. We are thrilled that the Boyd Gaming 300 has grown into one of the premier events on the Las Vegas sports calendar and one of the most well-attended races in the Nationwide Series. Boyd Gaming looks forward to more successful years of partnership with our friends at LVMS.”
[textadmed] NASCAR Weekend 2014 is tentatively set to begin on Friday, March 7, with Stratosphere Pole Day, followed by the Boyd Gaming 300 on Saturday, March 8, and the Kobalt 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event on Sunday, March 9. Tickets for LVMS’s 2014 NASCAR Weekend are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444. Neon Garage tickets, Lucky 7 preferred parking and driver introduction passes also are available.
Well, gang, that’s about it for this week.
I’m outa here!