what's the music scene like in VEGAS

[linwood]

Yeah...it's crazy. It's like you're at a bad State Fair.

[kpl1228]

Yeah, some of the gigs are like cruise ship gig. That's a good analogy. I never play a cruise but I've recorded tracks for the shows on the ships. My daughter teaches math at Tarkanian Middle School and my wife use to work for the school district here. I don't guess I need to warn you about how stinkin' hot it is here and you're coming at the hottest time. It'll be 115 in the shade. I like living here and I hope you will, too. There are clubs off the strip that offer all that stuff you're looking for. There's a few blues bands in town that work and classic rock 'n biker bar places. It's like anywhere else in the US, but it also has the Strip and it's night life to offer. I hardly ever go there anymore.Only if company comes to town or a KC buddy. I hope I didn't scare you or turn you off. It's a small town full of great people and having the Stip close by and all the entertainment, shows, food, and sports are coming bigtime now. My info's in my profile here. e me or call me if you want and I'll meet you someplace or come over. We can go bug Pete Radd (member here) on his gig at the Bellagio.

There was, for a brief minute, a teaching job at Tarkanian Middle School (so hard to say that with a straight face...only in Vegas! Hopefully I'll have better graduation rates than he did) last week. I put in for it but found out about it too late and it got filled that day. There's also a couple of openings at some big scary high schools....at least scary based on my research. Valley and Mojave and Western. My application is out for a few other schools, and HR called today to say they're lining something up. We'll see where all this goes.

I'm on some other threads about Vegas, and I'm doing my research hard. Lots of changes in town with sports and housing and development, and it's all interesting. I also, as you say, see the friendly local "town" aspect of it as opposed to a BIG city. Fine by me. That's what I miss about Cleveland, same "town" with regular folks thing.. I do also realize that with noisy keyboards, I'll need to rent a 2 bedroom house. Vegas rents are way do-able, better than I thought. So teaching and playing a night or two a week? No problem.

 

[Jazzmammal]

Very cool.

 

Where and what is the Smith center? Three years ago we decided to stay downtown at a new hotel directly across from the Mob Museum that I can't remember the name of now. I saw no mention of jazz anywhere downtown then and I checked the flyers and asked around. I did see some good cover band acts along Fremont on the outdoor stages.

 

Another question for you. Back in the day when I was working Reno and some in Vegas a room like that was handled by one agent and it was all union. You had to audition for him and if he liked you you got a contract for maybe 12 to 14 months away because that's how far out the place was booked. Still like that? Someone mentioned the union isn't a factor any more. True? Finally the money. Trying to bring my sideman pay then to 2016 are these guys making like $4-500 a night?

 

Bob

[Jazzmammal]

People find this appealing?

 

Yes, I do. It ain't that bad buddy, when's the last time you were there? Last year we stayed at Paris and I went across the street to check out Aria and the Cosmo. Those are the awesome new places that make old Vegas look really old. Like Caesars for example not that I liked Paris either, too much like Disneyland. Those new places were filled with very well dressed young people who seemed classy and pretty nice imho. I dug it a lot but then I wasn't hanging out at 4 in the morning either...that's when the zombies come out.

 

I was never a gambler but I like being around the action and yes the glamour and all that stuff. I had a great time there in the 70's and I liked some of what I see now in the new Strip too. Oh yeah the Cosmo has a rooftop ice rink. Very cool, literally, and I loved that too. It was all 20 somethings, they were having lots of fun and I didn't see any crap going on. They were just having a good time.

 

This is off topic I know, now I'm just speaking like a tourist, I'm not saying I would want to jump back into regular gigging there but I liked the overall vibe.

 

Bob

[Dave Ferris]

I have some friends that have moved there. Some have stayed, others have moved on. Linwood, I think you know David Hart ? How about another guitarist, Rick Vittallo ? Those guys seemed to have stayed there for sometime now.

 

I spent some Julys and Augusts there for a few years in the '80s and again in the late '90s. I'd play old Caesars and the Desert Inn with show biz type folks. Lame music aside, it pretty much sucked because most of the time they'd put us up off site at the *B* motels where the AC was questionable from room to room. It was like drawing straws- I always seemed to get the room with the least powerful AC.

 

Basically I could never live there or another popular destination for LA people - Phoenix- because of the extreme heat. Even though we seem to have less of it with each passing year here in LA because of the ongoing drought - I need my *green*. I'm just too much into the outdoors/running/biking. Personally I'm looking at somewhere in Oregon -maybe Eugene , Ashland, Corvallis, Beaverton . Bend has gotten pretty pricey. Don't know if Diane could hang with the rain though. Her first choice is out in Ventura. But I've had enough sun, heat and no rain to last a lifetime. As long as they have a decent Steinway tech in the area , I'll be happy.

 

My buddy John Mahon brings his road bike when they're at Caesars with Elton. Which is pretty frequent. He said it's great in the winter but you have to start before the sun is up if you want to do any ride over 90 minutes this time of year. But overall he digs being in one place for an extended period of time and not having to hop on an airplane after every gig.

[HammondDave]

People find this appealing?

 

Yes, I do. It ain't that bad buddy, when's the last time you were there? Last year we stayed at Paris and I went across the street to check out Aria and the Cosmo. Those are the awesome new places that make old Vegas look really old. Like Caesars for example not that I liked Paris either, too much like Disneyland. Those new places were filled with very well dressed young people who seemed classy and pretty nice imho. I dug it a lot but then I wasn't hanging out at 4 in the morning either...that's when the zombies come out.

 

I was never a gambler but I like being around the action and yes the glamour and all that stuff. I had a great time there in the 70's and I liked some of what I see now in the new Strip too. Oh yeah the Cosmo has a rooftop ice rink. Very cool, literally, and I loved that too. It was all 20 somethings, they were having lots of fun and I didn't see any crap going on. They were just having a good time.

 

This is off topic I know, now I'm just speaking like a tourist, I'm not saying I would want to jump back into regular gigging there but I liked the overall vibe.

 

Bob

 

Actually i am there two to three times a year on business. Last time was a couple of months ago when i took my wife to see Lionel Richie. The people were so obnoxious we took a side street to go home to avoid the crowds, A van pulled up next to us and the passegner puked out the window just missing us. Now that really set a romantic mood.

[MathOfInsects]

Actually i am there two to three times a year on business. Last time was a couple of months ago when i took my wife to see Lionel Richie. The people were so obnoxious we took a side street to go home to avoid the crowds, A van pulled up next to us and the passegner puked out the window just missing us. Now that really set a romantic mood.

 

What happens in Vegas, sprays in Vegas.

 

[mate stubb]

The only time I played in Vegas it was at Thunderbird on the old strip, years ago.

 

I remember a brand new anvil case bubbling the fiberboard in my black van in the heat.

[Jazzmammal]

Damn Dave. Maybe we just got lucky.

 

Bob

 

 

[linwood]

Linwood, I think you know David Hart ? How about another guitarist, Rick Vittallo ?

 

I know of Rick, but I know Dave very well. Dave's played on a lot of tracks for me. He's really great on chromatic, too. I haven't heard from him in a while. Last time I talked to him he was with Sheena Easton. She still gigs here every once in a while and she tours. Seems like they go to Japan a couple times a year and things like that. I've never worked with her live, but I've done some tracks for her that they use in the show. I did a couple last year, but I can't remember what it was. Just something that flys under the band to a click. Dave is one of those guys who subs many showrooms and knows all the books. He'll be playing with Sheena one night and the next night he's doing Vegas!The Show, or Hitzville, or Jersey Boys, who knows. Being able to do that isn't easy. If you're not use to it, it'll throw you for a loop. So much more to it than just playing the notes. There's the timing and the sounds and you might be off stage or below it and having to use a monitor to see the conductor. It's a challenge. It's like walking on to a traveling Broadway Show and doing the keyboard chair using a supplied rig.

 

If you don't have a steady show gig, everyone is kind of weekend warrior status. Everyone's looking to fill the week and grab a night here or a night there. It's really hard for so many musicians here who use to depend on the lounges for steady work. It's nuts and hundreds if not thousands of qualified guys looking. They've learned that they can pay peanuts and the musicians will play anyway for next to nothing because they have to play just to get through the day or maybe they'll get free booze, or a bump, or someone will take them home for the night, or someone will tell them that they're pretty good. hahaha...The life we live.. man oh man.

 

I got out of it 20 years ago and just work in my little studio hustling what I can and that works best for me. Someone asked about money...$400 or 500 a night you'd get if it were a corporate party or an event at a Casino. If it's a couple nights a week in a lounge, I see guys doing it for 100-200 a night kind of thing.

 

And yes, Winter is nice. This year was good because the heat came about 6 weeks later. Usually from the end of Oct to May is really nice here. But May to the middle of Oct can be brutal. My ac went out last week and I couldn't get anyone out to fix it for a day and it was miserable in here. It was 115 outside and 90+ in here for 2 days.

[hardware]

Sand Dollar. LOL.

I can't count how many times I walked out into that blinding sun at 0600. Almost as memorable as Wendover, Nevada...where the dead come to gamble.

 

FWIW a mate I worked with and fellow Harpejji player uses a U24 split.

Out to a Vent, and out to a laptop. Into an SSv3.

 

Walks around making gigs when he isn't getting 1200 for 2 x 1 hour stints.

Which in Vegas lingo means 2 x 45 minute sets.

 

Says he gets 200 in tips any night of the week at Tivoli's even outside at the south end/east side of the Strip in that courtyard.

 

He has a fantastic feel and sound and people love his arrangements.

 

Another chap wears a battery operated QY Sequencer, 2 battery powerd near fields and walks around playing Accordian over Tuba Kick drum loops.

 

They fly him to Carson City to play for private gigs (politicians only) at an old standby restaurant in some old 2 story house.

 

So many angles to work in Vegas, but you gotta love performing.

Vegas Disk is always kicking ass too.

Huge SSL 4000G+ with more high end vintage hardware then most folks have ever seen...

 

 

[Reezekeys]

I had to pipe in here with the mention of Dave Hart. He's a good friend from my junior high school days and he is living on the east coast right now. I just played with him four days ago.

 

Many years ago he was living in the L.A. area and went to Vegas for a short gig with a singer in a lounge. Then the gig got extended... then he just started getting enough work that he wound up staying in Vegas.

 

I'm pretty sure it was Dave that told me that the superstar acts bring in bands from L.A. Maybe not for every chair though.

[hardware]

If it's a string of gigs, pre production at places like Perkins Theater, etc. It's all LA guys.

 

Englebert fired so many Vegas guys he switched over to Nashville.

You haven't played anywhere until you've been fired by Englebert.

[linwood]

I had to pipe in here with the mention of Dave Hart. He's a good friend from my junior high school days and he is living on the east coast right now. I just played with him four days ago.

 

I tried to call him this morning to catch up! The first time I met him was at Caesars when he came in with The Pointer Sisters. Must have been around 84-ish. Funny sense of humor. He cracks me up. I remember when my son turned 16 he shows up and opens his trunk and lays a girls gone wild dvd on him.

 

Yes, they do bring in some musicians with them, but there's usually open spots for players. A lot of times they'll hire brass and strings here. The shows that run for a few years use more local musicians in all types of roles.

 

[Dave Ferris]

Reeze, say hi to Dave Hart for me. I didn't know he was from back there. We used to play casuals with this bass player *edit* - who will remain nameless. The guy still owes me $250. I still have his bounced check in my drawer.

I think I got off lucky compared to many, considering his less then illustrious history in that area. 38 years in LA, thousands of gigs and the only time I've been stiffed.and by another fellow musician no less. NOT COOL .

[Reezekeys]

Don't you hate it. Going OT but can't help it. Your message reminded me to email a club date office here in NYC looking for my bread for a gig I did MAY 21. I can't believe a music office (and a long-established one at that) would stiff me but I've been back and forth a few times and I'm getting either excuses or, lately, radio silence.

 

Like myself, Hart is from Connecticut. We started playing together in the 70s (man I feel old now!). Many good times having fun playing good music with the guy. A super-funky guitar player and great on chromatic too. He sat in with AWB on harp (we were at Red Rocks IIRC). Trading licks with the sax on Pick Up the Pieces and killing it!

[linwood]

Yes! He's a talent. He show you that postcard Toots and Nus sent him? LMAO!! What a great thing to have from someone like Toots that you look up to. I'm sure I'll talk to him shortly. Looking forward to it.

[Reezekeys]

The Toots postcard is the best! Adam was the drummer this past weekend when I played with Dave. Big fun.

[linwood]

That's awesome! Nothing like playing with old friends. I had a gig doing some editing for a show here with Bob Rozario. It lasted maybe a year and a half and every Friday Bobby would come over at 8am and stay most of the day. Many times Dave would join us and we'd sit around and laugh all day with the stories we had. Ask Dave about Bobby. We lost him almost 2 years ago. What a monster musician he was and a mentor for us both.

[Jazzmammal]

Englebert fired so many Vegas guys he switched over to Nashville.

You haven't played anywhere until you've been fired by Englebert.

 

That's what all the horn guys said about Buddy Rich...

 

Then there was the time the guitarist had a slight patchcord blurt in the middle of a tune with Trini Lopez in the main room at Harrah's Reno...damn, too many war stories.

 

Bob

[raddtunes]

I should chime in here as I've been here in Vegas since 87. Moving here was the best decision I ever made in my life. I've worked constantly. Most of the time (including all this year) I struggle to get everything done in the studio and then schlep my gear to whatever gig I'm doing.

 

Be careful when I, or anyone tells you "what Vegas is like".

 

Two reasons:

1. Vegas changes at a breathtaking rate. Think of any implosion we've had here and I've worked at both the former and present hotel. Dunes - Bellagio. Sands - Venetian. Desert Inn - Wynn. (the list goes on). Tourists always want something new, and they get it here. Therefore, talking about anything that is happening right NOW is talking about yesterday's news.

 

2. Vegas is bigger than people think - - there are over 2 million people in our valley. (that's Vegas and surrounding municipalities, Clark County, etc.). There is the strip, there are local clubs, and there are locals casinos that are something in between (Station Casinos, etc.) . Each of these sectors have gigs, but are in such different universes, serving such different clientele, it's pointless to try and lump all these gigs together to describe them.

 

This might be one way I can describe things here: When a friend or family member asks me "how's the music business in Vegas", I tell them I have no idea. I'm not in the music business in Vegas. I'm a Vegas musician who provides service to three industries:

 

1. Casino Lounges (Bellagio pianist, cover bands, etc.)

2. The advertising industry (jingles in my studio)

3. Convention/Events (jazz trios for cocktail/dinner music, awards banquets, convention floor bkgrd music, etc.)

 

And with that - - I've left out "main room" shows, Broadway-type shows, or Cirque shows. All of these are things I rarely do - - so I couldn't tell you accurately what those are like.

 

None of you mentioned the corporate event gigs in this thread . . . it's huge here if you are able to adapt yourself to what companies and trade associations want at their parties. Next time you look at a photo of the strip, know that in the back of each of those resorts are thousands of square feet of ballroom space. I've worked just about every hotel at least once this year already.

 

How close together are the best gigs in your city?

 

There is one other amazing thing about the Las Vegas strip that is right in front of everyone to see, but no one ever mentions it. In Vegas several of the worlds largest hotels are within 5 minutes drive of each other. Many times throughout the year you can double - - I even did 3 full time gigs that fell into place for 16 months in 2000 - 2001.

 

On New Year's Eve 2000 I played a four-hour set at Bellagio, then had just 30 minutes to get to the Venetian to play with a rock band in the lounge. The strip was closed to traffic and full of people. In my tuxedo, I went down to Las Vegas Blvd., clipped on my roller blades, and blasted through the crowd. Made it with five minutes to spare. THAT is what Vegas is like LOL!!!

 

We have everything here actually. It's the greatest city in the world to be a professional musician.

 

[raddtunes]

Questions:

1) Is the musicians union still a presence at the local bars and nightclubs level? Is this something I'll need to do?

2) Are the hours for a evening and weekend musician in Vegas crazy? Or I should say crazier than usual?

3) Is it like Nashville and LA with a bunch of incredible "starving" musicians working bars and lounge gigs waiting for a big break to play a huge show? Or is Vegas really like playing in Cleveland or Chicago (my frame of reference) with a few hustling full-timers and a whole bunch of weekend warriors?

4) What's working as far as music there? What's not?

 

1 - No, not at all. The union (rightly so IMHO) covers situations where collective bargaining is appropriate. This is mostly larger, employed ensembles doing Broadway-type, main room, or production shows on the strip.

2 - No, not really.

3 - My experience and opinion is that those who want to work here, and are willing to do what it takes, can.

4 - Great question to ask - -however the answer is always changing.

[TommyRude]

Here is some info on casinos from a country music guitarist:

 

[video:youtube]

 

I watched this entire video, loved it. Its like a drawn out SNL skit, it just gets worse and worse. It reminds me of pharmaceutical commercials, they highlight the benefits, but theyre required to disclose the risks, rattling them off over cheery music. SuperXXX Drug, if taken properly can help you to lose weight. You may experience nausea, you may break out in hives, you may go blind, theres a chance of bloating, some people experience suicidal thoughts, you may fall over and die. But try SuperXXX, its great!