by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

As promised a few weeks ago this reporter visited the Bootlegger to see and listen to a very wonderful entertainer, Genevieve and ran out of space to give her a proper review. Now I have the space and time.

This fine singer, who has a super husband that travels between here and Los Angeles almost weekly, did two special sets this particular Sunday evening. The first was a knockout and the second just sealed my fate - a standing count of ten. As most of you know Broadway songs are among my personal favorites along with the music from the Big Band era. Well Genevieve hits them all with songs like "Getting to Know You", "On a Clear Day", "Summertime" and "Funny Valentine." A medley of songs by Duke Ellington ("Don't Get Around Much Anymore". "Satin Doll", etc) was quickly followed by her very own styled "Over the Rainbow." Henry Mancini's "Days of Wine and Roses" was another highlight and she closed with "Crazy," composed by Willie Nelson and made famous by the late Patsy Cline and, "Stand by Me." And that was just the first set.

Then it was time for set number two and what a killer this set was. She's a great fan of Nat King Cole and his daughter, Natalie and, starts right off with "LOVE", "Inseparable", "When I Fall in Love," ending with "Unforgettable."

Genevieve is a star equal to any recording star of today and proves it every time she appears on a stage. Her love song medley comprised of "Sweet Love", "Feel Like Making Love", "At Last" and "For Once in My Life" are just beautifully presented with a true sense of what she's singing. She feels the lyrics of every song she sings. Her wrap up is two great songs "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You" by Nat King Cole and Barbara Streisand's "Don't Rain on my Parade."

The next time you read or hear that Genevieve is appearing some where close by, do yourself a huge favor and go see what I'm talking about. I believe you'll be pleasantly entertained by a "Singer!"

Sal Fish and the staff of S.C.O.R.E., one of the major sanctioning organizations for off-road racing, pulled off a major "coup de grace" with the "Terrible Cup 1" closed course races over the past weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The first evening (Friday) attracted about 5,000 paying fans and they must have rushed home and called all their friends, for Saturday was over flowing with more than 7,500 spectators. It was the racing folks, pure and simple. No big time hype! Not a lot of pre-stories but word of mouth advertising did the trick.

Marty Coyne of El Centro, Ca. won top honors in the SCORE Trophy-Truck event and took home $10,000 for his two-day effort. Local favorite Rob MacCachren finished a disappointing seventh with the father son team of Bobby and B.J. Baldwin finishing out of the money. Local racer Tim Herbst finished 13th. MacCachren did earn a paycheck, however, by taking first place in the SCORE Class 10 event, winning the main and both heat races.

A total of about 58 racers competed over the 1 1/2 mile dirt course, set outside and within the dirt oval at the Speedway. All the major jumps and tight turns took place right in front of the grandstand, so there was no complaining in that department. Some of the drivers, however, need to learn more about what the flags stand for. There were a few too many bumps and nudges during local caution situations and the red flag didn't seem to stop anyone during one race. Oh, well, let's be honest about it - they're used to racing in the desert where there are no spectators.

SCORE, Las Vegas Events (co-sponsor of the event) and the Herbst Family have a winner and I'm certain they'll be back next year. Just wished it was during a cooler period!

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: The Tropicana will be hosting one of the great legends of comedy and Broadway, Bea Arthur in the Tiffany Theatre on Saturday, August 27th. This is a wonderful opportunity to see how a legend became a legend! Bea has a real quirky sense of humor and shows it with these concerts. This is a version of her Broadway hit, "An Evening with Bea Arthur and Bill Goldberg." Tickets are $49.50 plus tax and surcharge... Michael Cagle, you know him from his various gigs around town and from this column, has signed a contract with record producer Michael Campbell of National Entertainment Group. This could be the break this really nice guy and terrific singer has needed to put him over the top. Good Luck Michael!... Bonnie Holscher, another wonderful entertainer who moved here from Phoenix a couple of years ago, finished in the money at a recent television taping at the Union Plaza, and qualified to appear in the finals... George Carlin into the Stardust Showroom August 11-24 in the evening spot with magician Rick Thomas continuing to jam them in for his two afternoon shows... Tony Orlando and comedian Sonny Shore into The Orleans Showroom Thursday, August 11-14th. I know you'll be wonderfully entertained by this master of song and energy. Tickets are $44.95 plus tax, etc... Connie Stevens opens tonight (the 7th.) at the Suncoast for three nights with tickets at $39.95 plus tax...

Well gang that's about it for another week.

I'm outa here!

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