With timeless hits such as "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Loving' Feeling," the Righteous Brothers will be pleasing audiences at the Flamingo Amphitheater on Oct. 11. Tickets are $25, $30 and $35, call 800-435-8469 or 702-298-5111.

While ballads are a strong suit for Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, who have been major headliners for four decades as The Righteous Brothers, they're also known for good old rock 'n' roll and rhythm & blues.

Freddy Fender, whose first hit "Wasted Days and Wasted Night" was released in 1959, will bring his legendary music to the Riverside, Oct. 8-12. Tickets are $25, call 1-800-227-3849.

For trivia buffs, Fender was born Baldemar Huerta, but in 1959 he decided to change his name in hopes of reaching the "gringo" audiences. He took the name Fender from the headstock of his guitar, and chose Freddy because it was alternative. Other names he's used include: El Be-Bop Kid (1957), Eddie Medina (1961) and Scotty Wayne (1962).

Surrounded by traditional Mexican music growing up, Fender made his first appearance at age ten on a Texas radio station's amateur talent contest and won a tub of food.

It was his Spanish versions of Elvis and Harry Bellefonte's classics in 1957 that caused him to become widely known in Mexico and South America. In 1959, Freddy Fender was signed on with Imperial Records and Hispanic Rock-n-Roll was born!

Fender with more hits "Before The Next Teardrop Falls," "Secret Love" and "You'll Lose A Good Thing" was named Best Male Artist of 1975 by Billboard.

Since then, he has appeared in a movie and joined The Texas Tornados - a group composed of Texas music legends.

"Celebrities on Stage" starring twin brothers Eddie and Anthony Edwards has returned to the Bermuda Club stage in the River Palms after a successful run earlier this year. The duo turn themselves into a "cast of many" when they pay tribute to a variety of entertainment superstars.

One brother, Eddie, portrays the ladies such as Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Cher. Brother Anthony takes on the male celebs including Elton John, Neil Diamond and Billy Joel.

Show times are Saturdays through Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $19.95 and $26.95, call 1-800-835-7904.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

The Colorado Belle has three slot and six golf tournaments set for next year. To sign up for a tournament call 877-480-2747.

The slot tournament dates are March 7-9 ($500 entry fee); June 27-29 ($400 entry fee); Sept. 19-21 ($500 entry fee).

Six golf tournaments with $500 entry fees are scheduled for 2004. Tournament dates are: Feb. 8-10 (Mohave Resort); April 18-20 (Desert Lakes Golf Course); June 6-8 (Mohave Resort); Sept. 12-14 (Mohave Resort); Oct. 25-26 (Desert Lakes); and Dec. 3-4 (Desert Lakes).

The next slot tournament this year is set for Nov. 14-16, and features over $50,700 in cash and prizes including $10,000 for first place. Prize money is based on 150 entrants paying a $350 entry fee and may be adjusted based on actual number of entrants. The fee includes two days of tournament action, accommodations for three nights, a welcome cocktail reception, complimentary food and beverages for two, a commemorative gift and an awards dinner.

The national casino industry publication, "Strictly Slots Magazine" had Harrah's Laughlin dominating the annual "Best Of Slots" readers poll with 39 first place awards out of a possible 41.

Earlier this year, Harrah's Laughlin received 37 first place awards from "Casino Player," seven top honors from "Nevada Magazine," and three top nods from the "Mohave Valley Daily News."

An Italian Fest is schedule from Oct. 12-13 in the Victory Plaza at the Ramada Express from 5 to 9 p.m. The nightly event will feature Italian food and music.

The Chef's Food Fest featuring casino and local restaurant chefs putting their best works forward is set for Oct. 9 at the River Palms Events Center. The 16th annual gourmet dinner / wine tasting fundraiser is for the United Way. Tickets are $45, call the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-227-5245 or 702-298-2214.

The ninth annual American Heart Association Hobo Stew Dinner and Dance will be held Nov. 12 in the south parking lot of the Riverside. Tri-state area chefs will be serving their own recipe of "hobo stew" with the assistance of hundreds of clowns who will be in town for the Western Region Clown Association Convention. Admission, which includes all the stew you can eat and dancing, is $5 for adults and $3 for children 5 to 16-years-old. Children under five are free. For information, call Hutch at 702-300-7332 or Joel at 702-809-6334.

The Riverside is hosting a new charity motorcycle run from Oct. 23-26, called the "Laughlin Run To Fun." All bikers are invited to attend the benefit event that will include two poker runs, a poker walk, a mixer and style show, a seminar, a "black vest" dinner and a pancake breakfast. For information, call 1-877-200-6378.

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