Laughlin Entertainer: Cover Stories

In 1983, former Elvis impersonator John Stuart started the ball rolling on a form of entertainment that has gathered no moss in the intervening 24 years. It was Stuart who created and opened the “Legends in Concert” show at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas...a show that not only became the longest continuous running show on The Strip but also the show that legitimized the phenomenon known as the “tribute act.”

Stuart's original idea of presenting entertainers recreating the live sound and look of show biz superstars has been paid its own “tribute” over the years through a sea of copy-cat shows. While Stuart's original show chose only deceased stars to mimic, the idea of adding contemporary acts was quickly capitalized upon and added to the mix.

“Tribute shows” are basically living and breathing wax museums set to music. The goal of getting the audience to feel like they are close to “celebrity” without actually paying the freight is integral to the shows' success. The “tribute show” allows a producer to put on an old fashioned variety show that otherwise would be impossible to stage. They can't exactly call up the talent agents and say, “get me Elvis, Madonna, Neil Diamond and The Beatles for next Tuesday.” But they can say get me “an” Elvis, Madonna, a Neil, et al, and have resumes in their e-mail in minutes.

“Tribute shows” also tap into fan loyalty and curiosity. While some die-hard fans refuse to catch a recreation of their beloved artists, others attend the shows because they jump at the chance to hear their favorite music live (an impossible endeavor in most instances); or they want to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to all pretenders to the throne.

Over the years, many one-theme tribute bands have sprung up to mine the same veins started by the multi-cast variety shows. These bands take on the persona of one particular group and put on a mini-concert in the manner of the originals. Thus, on any given night “The Eagles” might be playing one casino stage while “The Beatles” are wanting to hold hands one casino down the river.

Laughlin has become something of a “tribute” central. Summer has traditionally been a tribute time in town due to booking pressure coming from the state and county fair circuit. Performers can get gigs for bigger paydays across the country during fair time. The summer booking-bind has now been extended to the rest of the year due to the influx of Indian casinos competing for the same pool of performers. Thus, an increase in tribute acts.

Also, with the fracturing of the radio world into distinct genres of music, the number of acts that appeal to a cross section of Laughlin visitors is shrinking. When the likes of Merle Haggard, Neil Diamond and The Beach Boys were on top of their game, they were popular across a wide spectrum of the population. The tributes tap into this spectrum.

And finally, the public loves “name brands.” While there are numerous singers out there who could entertain the ears off an audience if given the chance, they can't find a stage because no one knows them. In fact, most “tribute artists” are these very same singers who find themselves in a musical “Catch-22.” They go the “tribute” route because they couldn't get bookings as Russ Hedrick or Lisa Cash but once they “became” Charlie Daniels or Shania Twain, they found work....good paying work.

And so it continues.

The list of acts that have been presented as tributes...just in Laughlin... span the complete spectrum of entertainers and musicians-from Johnny Cash to Stevie Ray Vaughan-and many stops, of course, at the “Big Two”: Elvis and Neil Diamond.

This summer, the Riverside will host a slew of tribute acts, including:

* “Superstars of Country Music” celebrating the music of Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson, Charlie Daniels and George Strait. June 17-22, 24-29. $30

* “Kiss Army” a tribute to the music of legendary rock band Kiss. July 2-6. $20

* “Americana on Tour” celebrating the music of America. July 9-13. $20

* “Arrival” a tribute to American rock band Journey. July 17-20. $20

* “The Tennessee Three” original Johnny Cash band members celebrate the music of the “Man in Black”. July 23-27. $34

* “Skynnyn Lynnyrd” a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd. July 30-Aug 3. $20

* “Hot August Nights” celebrating the music of Neil Diamond featuring Barrie Cunningham. Aug 5-10, 12-17. $25

* “Good Vibrations” a tribute to the Beach Boys. Aug 27-31. $20

* “It's Only Make Believe” celebrating the music of Conway Twitty. Sept 16-21. $28

Here's a quick look at these upcoming artists....

“Superstars of Country Music”

See some of the biggest stars in country music, on one stage, as Faith Hill (Annika Nielsen), Shania Twain (Lisa Cash), Charlie Daniels (Russ Hedrick), George Strait (Larry Turner) and Gretchen Wilson (Jilla Roberts) belt out their hits. The “Superstars” look and sound like the real thing, giving audience members a truly memorable show. Produced by BC Entertainment, and backed by the All Star Band, the artists are given all the necessary tools to wow an audience.

“Kiss Army”

Complete with spandex outfits, platform boots and painted faces, Kiss Army brings to life the edgy, glam rockers Kiss. Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frahley and Peter Criss are brought to you by their tributecounterparts - Jim Seda, Gary Stevens,Val Popovic and Mike Sivo.

Kiss Army has been around since the ‘80s and they perform just for the joy of playing together. Huge fans of the music themselves, Kiss Army makes sure to deliver all the original Kiss hits, including “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “I Was Made For Loving You,” “Lick it Up,” “Love Gun,” “God of Thunder” and the power ballad, “Beth.”

“Americana On Tour”

“Americana On Tour” is a show that originated in Boise, Idaho, combining a band and stage production featuring four musician- singer - songwriter - entertainers... all of whom have their own careers in the music industry.

The four featured artists, Jimmy Bivens, Tracy Underwood, Kevin Sam, and Kayleigh Jack perform 20 to 30 minute segments, bringing to life the music of a wide range of artists and sounds, including gospel, blues, country, zydeco and blues. These mini-sets are linked together within the show by musical transitions with brief narration included.

“Arrival”

Jeff Salado (Steve Perry), Val Popovic (Neal Schon), Remi Kern (Ross Valory), Andy Dean (Steve Smith) and Ray Potter (John Cain) bring to life the harmonic mastery and musical skill of Journey. A tight knit band with an electrifying stage presence, Arrival delivers your favorite Journey hits, including “Don't Stop Believing,” “Anyway You Want It,” “Faithfully” and “Open Arms.

“The Tennessee Three”

The one thing that really stands out and shouts, “Hi, I'm Johnny Cash” is that sound - the sound of the Tennessee flat top box guitar and it's “boom-chicka boom” rhythm. When it starts, you can almost hear the train a ‘comin'.

Throughout Cash's long ride and wide swath on and through the American musical scene, there were a few guys that rode shotgun- Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant. In 1960, they became the Tennessee Three when W.S. Holland joined.

After Perkins death in 1968, Bob Wootton sidled into the all-important lead guitar spot and the “Three” continued on their way without missing a beat. When Cash finally quit the stage due to illness in 1996, his band consisted of Holland, Wootton, Dave Roe and Earl Poole Ball.

With Cash's death in 2003, it looked like the live music was silenced forever. But Holland and Wootton weren't ready to walk away. Even though they didn't need the They still had a passion for the music of Johnny Cash and continue to deliver those famous hits.

“Skynnyn Lynnyrd”

Skynnyn Lynnyrd began to take form at the very moment of the tragic crash that ended the lives of Ronnie VanZant, Steve Gains, Cassie Gains and Dean Kilpatrick. An American saga ended on that day in 1977, knocking fans to their knees and leaving a void that begs to be filled the world over.

Hear “Saturday Night Special”, “Whiskey Rock A Roller”, “Gimmie Three Steps”, “Swamp Music” and “Simple Man” as interpreted by Larry Woodruff (lead vocals), Sarah Madsen (vocals), Melissa Anderson (vocals), Chris Durham (guitar), Kirk Thomas (guitar), Robert Moody (guitar), Curt Posthuma (bass), Marc Schwarz (drums) and Mike Klepic (keyboards).

“Hot August Nights”

Since 1966, Neil Diamond has sold over 120 million albums and to this day is still a “top 10” grossing touring artist. Barrie Cunningham recreates legendary performances of this superstar in the high-energy musical production, Hot August Nights. This show features Diamond's greatest hits from the 60's to the present, including “Cherry Cherry”, “Sweet Caroline”, “Red Red Wine”, “Song Sung Blue”, “I AmŠI Said”, “Holly Holy”, “Love on the Rocks”, the patriotic “Coming to America” and many more.

Cunningham is accompanied by the Hot August Nights Band and the beautiful and talented back-up singers the Diamond Girls. Millions have enjoyed his portrayal of Neil with Legends in Concert, the American Superstars, Stars in Concert (Europe) and his full production tribute show Superstars Live in Concert.

“Good Vibrations”

Audiences across the country, as well as fans of The Beach Boys, have been mesmerized by this amazing group and their faithful renditions of the The Beach Boys' classic hits like: “California Girls”, “Surfin' USA”, “I Get Around”, “Help Me Rhonda”, “Fun, Fun, Fun” and the group's namesake hit, “Good Vibrations.”

This exciting show takes you on a musical journey of sun, surf, cars and girls as Matt Bennett, Jeff Celentano, Jon Celentano, Jared Dalley and Joe Messina capture the incomparable harmonies of The Beach Boys, recreating their unique sound right before your ears.

“It's Only Make Believe”

It's Only Make Believe is Conway Twitty's story told through the eyes and heart of his children. It is a loving musical scrapbook of memories that is honest, touching, funny, heartbreaking and sincere. From humble beginnings to rock and roll idol and country legend, “It's Only Make Believe” takes the audience on a journey of Twitty's life.

The tribute was created and directed by Randy Johnson, produced by Conway Twitty United, and executive produced by Scott Welch Management.

Twitty was an American Icon, a rock star, a country music legend and a loving father of four. Twitty's career began in rock and roll and landed squarely in the heart of America as the leading country performer of his time with an all time record of 55 number one hits.