by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

I've got to honest with you gang, I love entertainers no matter what they do - be it a stripper, an impressionist, a contortionist or anyone who tries to stand up in front of a group of people and entertain. It's not easy to get up there, believe me.

One of my very favorites is a guy named Bob Anderson. This is a man who's been around so long he's actually had to replace his tux a couple of times. I first met him when he worked at the "Top of the Dunes." Now that was the "room" of all "rooms" in Las Vegas and, anybody who was anybody would drop in to watch him perform. Bob had signed for two (2) weeks and ended up staying for over four (4) years. In the late 70's he brought a 21 piece orchestra into the old Copa Room at the Sands Hotel. I was doing publicity at the time for the room. Anderson's show was a big hit, but the problem was the cost of renting the room. It was just a wee bit too much and Bob closed after two-weeks. But the show got great revues. Bob never looked back and went on the road working some of the great rooms of the world as an impressionist, jazz, pop or cabaret singer... The Plaza Hotel in New York, Tavern on the Green, The Rainbow Room and the Cinigrill Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. You name it and Bob Anderson has been there.

He returns to Las Vegas this coming Friday (the 18th) for a special three-night stint at the Summerlin Library Theatre, 1771 Inner Circle Drive in Summerlin.

A member of the "Las Vegas Legends Hall of Fame," Bob will be performing in concert with the fabulous Vince Falcone Trio - Vince on piano, Chris Gordon Bass and Tim Pratt Drums. Just some of the songs being presented during his time on stage represents every facet of showbiz from Broadway to film. Songs like "Last Night When We Were Young", "Here and Now", "I Remember You", "Skylark" and of course one of the great songs, "In the Still of the Night."

"It seems that today cabaret singer's are a fading commodity," Anderson said during a phone conversation. "I want to sing the music of the great composers such as Johnny Mercer, Johnny Mandel, Sammy Cahn and Michelle LeGrand... these are just a few of the greats who wrote beautiful notes. My show will be a lot of me with, of course, my impressions. Impressions put me on the marques of the world and will always be a part of my act. But I want to do more of me... my own voice!"

Anderson, who has his own club in Branson, Mo. called "Club Vegas" will of course include impressions of Tony Bennett, The Rat Pack, Bobby Darin, Tom Jones and Robert Goulet to name just a few of those he will likely perform. Tickets priced at $24.95 plus tax may be purchased online at www.bobanderson.com or by calling 1-866-468-3399. Doors will open at 7 pm. with show time set for 8 pm. Be prepared to be royally entertained. Order your tickets now!

Just a reminder that the Grant Griffin Concert at The Orleans Hotel will be getting here real soon - Tuesday, March 8. Starring Griffin, considered one of the finest lyric baritones today, the concert will feature three fabulous ladies of music, who will each perform two solos and a duet with Grant. They are Patricia Welch who starred on Broadway in "The King and I" with Yul Brynner; Jeneane Marie, a legendary icon of music in our little village, and Michaelina Bellamy who will perform three fabulous songs in Spanish. Tickets are on sale at The Orleans box office at $39.95 plus tax. Call (702) 365-7075 for reservations. More on this as the date gets closer.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Valentines Day is a very special day for me. It's really my birthday and I'll be celebrating it with three of my best friends in the Savanna Steakhouse at the Tropicana... But there are a lot of things going on in celebration of the Heart Day... Skinny Dugan's Pub at 4127 W. Charleston Blvd. will have a "Poker Seminar" on the 14th from 7 to 9 pm hosted by Denise Parish. Call 227-6969 for info... This Saturday (Feb. 12th ) a group of local headliners will gather at the Golden Nugget to stage a benefit for Bob Lentini and Jeanne Quinn, whose home burned down the morning of Jan. 26th. Expected to be performing, starting at 10 pm. are Gordie Brown (headliner at the Nugget), Clint Holmes (headliner at Harrah's), Bill Fayne, Jerry Lopez, Steven Lee Group, Rocco Barbato, Jeff Neiman, Phoenix and the Lon Bronson All Star Band. The three hour benefit will also have a silent auction... If you want to get up close and personal with Barry Manilow, the Hilton Hotel has made it possible during his engagement beginning Feb. 23rd. Special stage seats (30) are priced at $225. Regular tickets start at $85 for balcony and move up to $145 for main orchestra seats (all tickets are plus tax and service charge)... David Saxe, who produces "V - The Ultimate Variety Show" at the "V Theatre" in the Desert Passage will be staging a very special and personal benefit on Friday, Feb. 18 at 9 pm. It's the "Third Annual All Star Las Vegas Show" to benefit Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with all proceeds staying locally. David's dad was diagnosed with ALS in 2001. For more info call (702) 696-1999... A very beautiful singer is in the Kabuki Lounge at the Imperial Palace this weekend. Linda Angeline will be singing from 5 to 8 pm. She returns in March...

Well, gang, that's about it for another week.

I'm outa here!

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