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| August 8-14, 2002 | ARCHIVES |
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| "It's The Norm" - Recent Entertainment Events in Las Vegas | |
I have had the pleasure of seeing a lot of entertainers. Some good, some bad, but most however have been wonderful in one way or another. The other evening I had the opportunity to witness an entertainer who, without question, will be joining the likes of Clint Holmes, Tony Orlando and the late great Sammy Davis, Jr. For years you have known him as Edwin C. of Cornel Gunter's Coasters. Today he's becoming known as Edwin C and Cookin' Time. We spotted him a few years ago when he was lead singer for the Gunter group. Then his friend, fellow musician and manager, Brenda Bouschard, told us about this amazing entertainer, invited us out to the Silverton a few months ago. Originally he was inked for a three month run beginning in January. Well, gang, he's still there singing and doing his impressions every evening in the showroom lounge. This time, however, we were invited to watch him perform in a very special one-night concert down south in Laughlin, Nevada at The River Palms Hotel & Casino. The venue was set up to seat about 600 and as best as I could tell there were very few empty seats. The show was billed as a "Motown Revue" and featured along with Edwin C., Motown and Rock 'n Roll songwriter and performer J.J. Jackson; hit maker Chris Montez and legendary actor and performer Otis Day. With all that high-powered talent on a single stage one would think our lad would be just a little nervous, right? Wrong! As host and emcee he performed flawlessly, as he introduced each star to an appreciative audience where each performed their respective hits. Edwin opened the evening with the Motown hit "Get Ready" and the crowd was indeed ready for a great night of music. One thing about this particular performer he can get an audience in the right mood with his vibrant personality, great vocal range (4 1/2 octaves) and energy second to none. |
After Jackson finished Edwin surprised the crowd by returning to the stage as Stevie Wonder including the wig, the attire, the glasses and of course the attitude which literally brought down the house with his vocals of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "Superstitious." Edwin returned again, following Montez, but this time as James Brown complete with all the trimmings. His "I Feel Good" again got the crowd standing and screaming. Following Otis the man returned to the stage, but this time as himself. And what a treat this was. He could have easily come out as any one of a dozen of impressions he is known for which include Davis, Jr., Prince, Michael Jackson or Johnny Mathis to name a few. But now he is becoming known as Edwin C, which we feel is right where he should be! The audience was then treated to a very special tribute to The Platters and Cornel Gunter's Coasters, when he brought on stage two members of Buck Ram's Platters (where he had spent a lot of time). The ensemble did "Charlie Brown," "Searchin'," "Poison Ivy" and then the world famous and crowd favorite "Yakkety Yak." The closer was "Higher & Higher." One could not get any higher than Edwin C. did this particular evening. "We are working in many areas right now," Bouschard told me, when asked what was next for this extraordinary entertainer. "We're checking all the doors and of course Edwin will make the final decisions. Just keep your ears and eyes opened, because this man is going places." We
believe it too. You can catch him through August 10 at the Silverton Wednesday
& Thursday from 6:30-10:30 pm., Friday and Saturday from 8 pm., to 1 am. Unless
they extend him again!
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