Ridin' The Storm Out Brought Its Thunder To Arizona Charlie's Decatur Saturday Night: What An Awesome REO Speedwagon Full Blown Experience!

 

Official Website

Saturday, August 29th, 2026

Ridin' The Storm Out Review

Arizona Charlie's Decatur

Years back, I found myself backstage inside the old Hilton Hotel showroom, talking with members of REO Speedwagon. It remains one of the brightest moments of my media life—one of those rare nights that stays etched in your memory. They are definitely one of my favorite bands!

 So, when I learned on Saturday afternoon that Ridin' The Storm Out, the powerhouse REO tribute band out of Cali, was hitting the stage at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur that night, I didn’t hesitate. 

Ridin’ The Storm Out is about as close as you’re ever going to get to having the original REO Speedwagon band on stage. Same fire, same punch, same heart‑thumping blast of classic rock power!

Ridin’ The Storm Out hit the stage around 8:30 PM, and when I say hit, I mean they grabbed that packed showroom by the collar and shook it awake. After a quick burst of what sounded like the Little Rascals theme—just long enough to make everyone grin—they launched straight into more than 90 minutes of REO Speedwagon’s biggest, loudest, crowd‑pleasing classics. Don’t Let Him Go lit the fuse, and the whole room reacted like someone flipped a switch—fans on their feet, the dance floor jammed shoulder‑to‑shoulder, and the energy shooting through the place like a live wire on fire!

Keep Pushin’, Keep On Lovin’ You, Keep The Fire Burnin; and That Ain’t Love—one REO classic after another—cranked the heat even higher, firing up the crowd until the whole place felt like it was running on pure rock‑and‑roll adrenaline.

Live Every Moment, Tough Guys, Time for Me to Fly, and Back on the Road Again didn’t just seal the deal—they blew the doors right off the night. When those four famous hits dropped, the whole place erupted like someone plugged the crowd straight into a stadium‑sized power amp. 

The dance floor? Forget it. Wall‑to‑wall bodies, no room left, take a number and hope you can squeeze in. It was that perfect rock‑and‑roll moment when the band is on fire, the fans are all in, and the whole room might lift totally off the ground!

I Can’t Fight This Feeling, Take It On the Run, and Ridin’ The Storm Out slammed the door on the main set. No classic leave‑the‑stage, stroll‑back‑for‑an‑encore routine—Ridin’ The Storm Out kept it real. It felt more like, “Y’all want one more?” And they delivered, closing out their night with Roll With the Changes, wrapping a full 90‑minute blast of REO power into one last surge that sent the crowd out glowing!

How about this crew of top‑shelf, road‑tested musicians powering Ridin' The Storm Out band!

 Up front on lead vocals and guitar is Michael Zescu, a frontman who delivers every line like he’s firing it straight from a spotlight‑soaked stage. Trading lightning with him on lead guitar is Rick Hunter, the veteran axe‑slinger whose riffs hit with the authority of a man who’s lived the REO legacy from the inside. On bass, Stephen Zipper locks down the low end with that cool, unshakeable groove that keeps the whole engine rumbling. Matt Brown commands the keys, layering in the shimmering textures, keyboard swells, and classic rock color that make the songs breathe. And driving the whole machine from behind the kit is Larry Paschall, a drummer who keeps the beat tight, loud, and right in the pocket—every hit landing like a pulse of pure arena energy.

{My Take}

Take it from this old rock writer—if you haven’t seen Ridin’ The Storm Out, Keep Pushin’ till you do. These guys bring the kind of REO fire that reminds you why we all fell in love with loud guitars and big choruses in the first place. And trust me, they’ll be Back On the Road Again in a town near you before long. As far as my review goes, it’s simple: Go see Ridin’ The Storm Out the next time they hit a venue anywhere close to your zip code. Check out the links below to see where they’ll be tearing up stages in the future. As for me, well… it’s Time For Me To Fly!

Gary England

Ridin' The Storm Out Official Website

Ridin' The Storm Out Facebook

Arizona Charlie's Decatur Las Vegas

Arizona Charlie's Facebook

Petty And The Heartshakers Homecoming: Vegas Gets Its Petty Fix Friday Night Inside The Orleans Hotel & Casino Showroom

 Friday night, August 28th

Petty And the Heartshakers Review

Orleans Hotel Showroom

Last night felt like a homecoming party with the amps turned all the way up, as the Orleans Hotel & Casino showroom threw open its doors and welcomed Dan Grennes and Petty and the Heartshakers back to Las Vegas. It’s been way to long, and the crowd knew it—fans were already stacking up at the entrance when the Orleans crew started waving everyone inside, like they couldn’t wait either.

The room was still filling, drinks clinking, people jockeying for their favorite sightline—then boom. Lights down. A ripple rolled through the crowd. It was Showtime!

Phones shot up, cell phone cameras everywhere, and the whole place snapped to life as Petty and the Heartshakers stormed the stage to a wall of applause that hit like an implosion on the Las Vegas Strip! The first chords cracked the air, the crowd roared back, and suddenly the Orleans showroom wasn’t a showroom anymore—it was a rock cathedral, and the Heartshakers were preaching the gospel of Tom Petty!

American Girl came screaming out of the gate as the first song in their 90‑minute set, and the crowd erupted as if they’d been waiting for years for that exact chord. Behind the band, the massive video screen kicked into overdrive, firing off a kaleidoscope of vintage Petty imagery—sun‑bleached Americana, retro tour shots, flashes of the past stitched right into the heartbeat of the music.

It wasn’t just nostalgia. It was a time‑warp highway, and Petty and the Heartshakers were driving it with an arena‑level horsepower machine!

From there, Petty and the Heartshakers tore straight into the prime‑time glory years of Tom Petty—the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s—the era when every album felt like a victory lap and every song was built to shake an arena. They fired off Refugee, Listen To Her Heart, Mary Jane’s Last Dance, I Won’t Back Down, Rebels, and You Got Lucky like they were dealing out a royal flush, each track hitting harder than the last.

By this point, the lifelong rockers in the crowd couldn’t stay in their seats anymore. They surged toward the stage, packing in tight, getting that up-close-and-personal view of the band doing what they do best. It felt less like a concert and more like a reunion of the faithful fans pressed right up to the edge of the lights, living inside every riff, every lyric, every heartbeat of the night!

The next run of songs hit like a steel‑toed kick right to the heart of this old rock writer—the Petty classics that always land hardest. You Don’t Know How It Feels rolled out first, that slow‑burn swagger lighting up the room. Then came Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, delivered as a cool, smoky duet between Dan Grennes and Sara D’Arce, the kind of onstage chemistry that makes you forget you’re watching a tribute and not the real deal.

From there, the band cracked into Breakdown, slid smooth into Here Comes My Girl, and then launched a closing barrage of Petty heavy‑hitters: Freefallin’, Don’t Do Me Like That, Don’t Come Around Here No More, and Runnin’ Down a Dream—each one hitting like a neon‑lit memory straight out of rock‑and‑roll heaven.

And just when the crowd thought the night was over, the Heartshakers came back swinging with an encore that felt like a gift—Even the Losers, delivered with every ounce of grit and soul the band had left in the tank.

Ninety-plus minutes of Tom Petty glory, pumped through the Orleans Showroom by the number‑one Petty tribute on the planet—Petty and the Heartshakers. A night of pure rock communion, and Vegas soaked up every second of it!

Petty and the Heartshakers need no introduction. They’re the number‑one Tom Petty tribute on planet Earth, the kind of group with top-shelf musicians that doesn’t just play the songs—they channel the spirit! The swagger, the road‑dust soul of Tom Petty’s prime!

When they hit the stage, it’s not imitation. It’s ignition. It’s that familiar jolt that tells every rock‑and‑roll lifer in the room: buckle up, the night’s about to catch fire!

Petty and the Heartshakers roll with a lineup that reads like a who’s‑who of road‑tested rock warriors, starting with Dan Grennes, the band’s fire‑voiced frontman and rhythm‑guitar anchor, whose résumé includes American Idiot on Broadway alongside Billie Joe Armstrong and Melissa Etheridge—a guy who knows how to command a stage and make every lyric hit with arena‑level conviction. On lead guitar, Chris Cicchino brings the kind of high‑voltage precision you only get from sharing stages with Brian Johnson and Rob Halford, peeling off solos that feel like they were forged in the engine room of a tour bus barreling down a midnight highway. Holding down the low end for the night was “Special Guest” Jon Stenber, locking in the groove with that cool, unshakeable bassist presence that keeps the whole machine rumbling forward. Brenda Fitz handled keyboards with the finesse of someone who’s worked with Kip Winger, among many other rock stars in the biz, layering in those shimmering textures and vintage key swells that make Petty’s catalog feel cinematic. Behind the kit, Les Warner—yes, that Les Warner from The Cult—drove the night with thunderous, road‑hardened authority, every snare crack landing like a shot of adrenaline. And rounding out the lineup was Sara D’Arce, whose vocals—shaped by her work with La India—brought a soulful, electric edge to the night. She didn’t just sing; she charged the room, especially when she stepped into the spotlight for her duet with Dan Grennes on Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.

Together, as an awesome band, they're a rock‑and‑roll strike force, each member hauling decades of grit, pedigree, and stage fire straight into the Orleans showroom. This lineup doesn’t recreate Petty—they resurrect him, night after night, with the kind of voltage only seasoned road warriors like these awesome musicians (Rock Stars) can deliver.

{My Take}

Welcome back home, Petty and the Heartshakers. You blasted us straight into the past and proved—without a shred of doubt—why you’re the number‑one Tom Petty tribute band on planet Earth. Friday night you didn’t just play the songs… You nailed them, lit them up, and sent them roaring through the Orleans showroom like a jet engine at full throttle. So yeah—welcome back to Vegas. Just do us all a favor and don’t stay gone so damn long next time.

And if anyone out there still hasn’t figured it out, let me spell it out in full rock‑writer fashion:

My Review — this band is a must‑see, an A‑plus, a five‑stars‑and‑then‑some, catch‑them‑whenever‑you‑can blast of ridiculously talented musicians!

Yes, Petty and the Heartshakers RAWK. Really hard!!

—Gary England

#NationalNewsMedia #WorldwideEntertainmentNetwork #USAT #LasVegasReviewJournal #MoreFoxFive

Petty And the Heartshakers Facebook

Petty And the Heartshakers Web

The Orleans Hotel Casino Facebook

The Orleans Hotel Boyd Gaming

Inside the Crash: Singer-Songwriter Danny Wilde’s ALL THE THINGS

 

Danny Wilde’s ALL THE THINGS isn’t just a breakup album — it’s a story told like a rock‑and‑roll crash scene, starting with the wreckage and then rolling back through the moments that caused it. The opener CRASH hits like a spotlight from above: guitars heavy, production wide, Wilde’s voice dead‑center and confident. One word sets the emotional battlefield. But once you hear the whole record, CRASH becomes something else entirely — a miniature of everything that follows.

From there, Wilde shifts angles and characters. BREAK flips the narrative to a woman’s point of view, pushing determination and emotional fracture with radio‑ready punch. AMY brings names, history and country‑leaning storytelling, setting up the emotional fallout that makes PUSH more than just a commercial arena‑rock single. PUSH moves with purpose — verses driving, chorus landing like a destination — and its title becomes action, attitude and consequence.

Then comes the emotional peak: STAY, a simple one‑word plea built on boots by the door, two cups on the floor, and Wilde’s willingness to let vulnerability carry the vocal. It’s the moment where running stops. HEARTS follows with healing instead of bargaining — guitars acting like another character, country‑rock sliding into power‑ballad territory, and themes of faith and mercy giving the chorus unusual weight.

After six full songs, the album breaks open. EASTLAND, just 42 seconds, flashes by like involuntary memory — a cinematic fragment surfacing before the final chapter. And that chapter is STAY UNPLUGGED, the same song as Track Five but now stripped bare, remembered instead of lived. The lyric hasn’t changed; the listener has. The acoustic version proves Wilde’s writing stands without production muscle.

The whole album plays like a film: CRASH shows the wreck, the next seven tracks show the scenes that explain it. Arena rock, country storytelling, power‑ballad emotion, cinematic fragments — all tied together by Wilde’s sharp, economical songwriting. No filler. Even EASTLAND has a job. And repeating STAY completes the narrative device rather than padding the runtime.

ALL THE THINGS starts with a crash. Then Danny Wilde shows you everything inside it!

ALL THE THINGS doesn’t just play — it unfolds, like a reel of emotional wreckage running backward until every dent, bruise, and memory snaps into place. Wilde starts with the impact, then drags you through the story piece by piece until CRASH means something entirely different than it did when the needle first dropped. No filler. No wasted motion. Just eight tracks doing exactly the job they were built to do. When STAY UNPLUGGED fades out, you don’t just want to replay the album — you want to re‑enter the wreckage and hear CRASH with brand‑new ears. That’s the mark of a songwriter who knows exactly what he’s doing!

Gary England - Danny Wilde

The Ikons Of Rock Opened Their Extended Residency At The Strat LV Tuesday Night August 25th With Rock n' Roll Perfection!

Tuesday night, August 25th

Opening Night Show Review

The Ikons Of Rock 

The Strat Las Vegas

A thunderbolt ripped through the Strat Las Vegas on opening night as the Ikons of Rock stormed into their new Las Vegas residency with the kind of explosive authority that only seasoned rock warriors can deliver. From the moment the lights dropped, Tuesday’s premiere crowd knew they were in for something big — and they scored huge!

For more than 70 relentless minutes, the Ikons fired off a barrage of classic rock anthems, each one delivered with the raw voltage and road‑tested swagger that defined the genre’s golden age. These weren’t just songs; they were monuments — riffs and choruses carved into the DNA of rock ’n’ roll itself. And the band of entertainers treated them with the respect of historians and the ferocity of headliners who still know how to make an entire room feel alive.

Every guitar stab, every drum hit, every vocal blast carried that unmistakable reminder of why these tracks became immortal in classic rock ’n’ roll history. It wasn’t nostalgia — it was resurrection. The Ikons didn’t just play the music; they reignited it, sending it roaring across the Strat like a jet engine tuned to the frequency of every rock fan’s heartbeat.

The Ikons of Rock tore through a powerhouse setlist that played like a guided tour through the Mount Rushmore of hard‑hitting, arena‑shaking rock. They hammered out fist‑raising selections from KISS (“Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud”), Heart (“Alone,” “Even It Up”), Bon Jovi (“Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name”), Pat Benatar (“Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Heartbreaker”), Alice Cooper (“School’s Out,” “Under My Wheels”), and Mötley Crüe (“Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Looks That Kill”) — each song delivered with the kind of stage‑born authority that proves these songs were built for big rooms, loud amps, and fans who still believe in the gospel of guitar!

And just when the crowd thought the night had peaked, the band unleashed the Prince of Darkness himself — Ozzy Osbourne — to close out the show in true metal‑royalty fashion with “Crazy Train.” The finale hit like a blackout‑level surge, the kind of ending that sends fans out into the Vegas night buzzing, grinning, and already plotting their return to the Strat for another show!

What would the Ikons of Rock be without the world‑class performers and powerhouse musicians who drive the engine every night? This residency is built on the backs of its fearless vocalists — Darren Moore, Rachel Kline, Drew Hart, and Christelle Dussault — each bringing their own fire, range, and personality to the stage. Holding down the low end with authority is Andy Gerold on bass, locking in tight with Nannette Fortier on drums, whose thunderous precision keeps the whole show roaring forward. And slicing through the mix with arena‑sized riffs is guitarist Kurt “KK” Krezanski, delivering the kind of fretwork that gives the Ikons their unmistakable rock‑and‑roll bite.

Together, this cast doesn’t just perform the music — they embody it, fueling the Ikons of Rock with the grit, talent, and attitude that made their opening‑night residency debut hit like a live‑wire jolt!

 From the first note to the last, they proved that great rock ’n’ roll doesn’t just happen — it erupts when great musicians step up and bring it to life!

The Ikons of Rock proved why their opening‑night residency is already muscling its way into the Best of Las Vegas nominations for Tribute & Production Show, 2026. The lighting, sound, and stage setup didn’t just impress — they came at the crowd like a neon‑lit punch, blasting the Strat with a full‑throttle assault of color and volume. Every vocalist and every band member showed up locked and loaded, and truly dangerous, delivering top‑shelf talent with the kind of grit that says they didn’t come here to play it safe. This is the kind of show that grabs you and growls, “Vegas, we own this room now!”

I'd say that the Ikons Of Rock will be a fixture at the Strat Las Vegas for a long, long time!

Gary England

To vote for the Ikons Of Rock "Best Of Las Vegas": Head to www.votebolv.com

Go to the Entertainment Tab (Tribute Show & Production Show) and hit the vote button.

You can vote once a day in each category until the September 10th midnight cutoff.

For more information & Tickets, check the links below.

Ikons Of Rock - Tickets

Ikons Of Rock - Web

Ikons Of Rock - Facebook

Ikons Of Rock - Instagram

Ikons Of Rock - Instagram

Ikons Of Rock - YouTube Channel

Ikons Of Rock - TikTok Channel

Where Are All The Fans: The Harsh Truth About Local Show Marketing!

 Warning: Major Rock Writer Rant Coming Up!

I’ve been shouting this forever — blasting it like a guitar solo straight into the neon sky. Way too many killer shows and music events still slip through the cracks when it comes to AD & promotion.

Fans stay in the dark, the buzz never builds, and the whole thing ends up feeling like a badass concert or music event that nobody got invited to!

And it drives me nuts. I spent 15 years in Dallas learning the ropes from the best promoters in the business — back when you didn’t have the internet to shout from. Now we’re in the digital age, where reaching fans is easier than ever, yet I still see awesome bands and high‑energy events getting shortchanged. Light crowds, no buzz, half‑filled rooms — it shouldn’t be happening.

Then, a few days later after these happenings, fans jump on social media, rapping about how they didn’t even know the band or event was going on. That’s the kind of thing that fries my circuits!

So why aren’t these killer shows getting the ad and marketing love they deserve? Simple: too many bands don’t have a dedicated promo person, so the job gets buried under rehearsals, day gigs, and everyday chaos. Venues often assume the artists will handle the hype, so they barely push the event. A lot of bands think one or two social media posts are enough — but in today’s crowded feeds, a single flyer drop, or two, disappears in seconds. Some don’t budget even twenty bucks for targeted ads or a trained media professional, which can make a huge difference! Promotion often starts way too late, like trying to shout into a hurricane three days before showtime. The messaging isn’t fan‑friendly — no excitement, no personality, just generic “Come see us Friday” posts that don’t move the needle. Too many rely on word of mouth, which is great but not a real strategy. And at the end of the day, nobody is owning the hype — every successful event needs someone whose whole mission is to make noise! 

Face it — if your band or music event can’t even pack a room for a free show, something’s seriously off in the wiring. I see gigs all the time that could be standing‑room only with just a little smart effort in the right places. Instead of a wall‑to‑wall crowd, you get that awkward moment where everyone’s asking the same sad question: Where are all the fans?

And here’s the part nobody wants to say out loud: venues are in the business of making money — food, drinks, bodies in the room. If fans don’t show up and the seats stay empty, how long do you think these venues will keep promoting local bands and local music? At some point, the math stops working, and live music gets replaced by the cold reality of DJs and piped‑in music.

Not trying to pat myself on the back — been there, done that, survived the grind. Besides being a writer and journalist, I’ve put in my years on the ad and marketing side of the music biz. I’ve seen how the machine works from the inside out!

 And there’s a whole lot from my ghostwriter era that I still don’t talk about — the kind of behind‑the‑curtain stuff that teaches you exactly how this industry really moves.

{My Take}

For the price of a couple of adult beverages, I can jump in and help. I’ve got the chops. I can write your ad and marketing posts from the moment you announce the show all the way up to the day you hit the stage. I’ll help you fill the seats, move the tickets, and spark the buzz your upcoming shows and events deserve — the kind of hype that gets fans talking and keeps the room packed. I’m currently booking projects for the rest of the year, so when you’re ready to rumble, hit me up on Facebook Messenger at facebook.com/garyenglandlv

Can you hear me now?

Gary England

Neon Week of Thunder: Ikons Of Rock at the Strat, Petty And The Heartshakers at the Orleans!

 

The last week of this month is revving up into a full‑throttle ride.

Tuesday night I’m rolling into the Strat (7pm) on the Strip to cover opening night of the Ikons of Rock, new residency — already nominated for Best Tribute Show in the long‑running Las Vegas Review‑Journal Best of Las Vegas Awards. I caught their earlier run at their previous venue, and trust me, that version was a straight‑up winner! Now I’m fired up to see how hard they hit in their new home at the Strat.

Do yourself a favor — go see Ikons of Rock at the Strat, then head over to www.votebolv.com and throw them a vote. You can vote once a day until the September 10th cutoff. Give their new residency at the Strat a loud, proud Best of Las Vegas welcome!

For more info: www.ikonsofrock.com

For Tickets | Ikons of Rock 

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Then comes the weekend madness — I’ll be all geared up to cover a full‑throttle “Welcome Back Home” eruption on Friday, August 28th at 9:30 PM inside the Orleans Hotel Showroom. 

Petty and The Heartshakers are roaring back into Las Vegas with the kind of heat that only Tom Petty (aka Dan Grennes) can bring! This isn’t just a return — it’s a neon‑soaked, amps‑wide‑open homecoming built to shake the walls, rattle the Orleans Showroom, and light up the night. And I’ll be planted right in the blast zone when that first chord hits like a fireball racing down Tropicana Ave!

Petty And The Heartshakers Web

Petty And The Heartshakers Tickets

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{My Take}

As August wraps up, Las Vegas is firing on all cylinders — from the Ikons of Rock launching their brand‑new residency at the Strat on Tuesday, to the long‑awaited homecoming blast of Petty and The Heartshakers this Friday inside the Orleans Showroom. 

Two powerhouse shows, two stages lit in neon, and one city that never stops roaring.

 If you’re chasing the real heartbeat of Vegas music, this week delivers it in full force!

Gary England

Acoustic Echoes Fill The Air Inside The Hard Rock Cafe: Todd Kerns & Bruce Kulick Offer A Raw Unplugged Performance In Support Of The Nevada SPCA!

 

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Saturday afternoon, we made our way down to the Vegas Strip to the Hard Rock Cafe, where Todd Kerns was performing with special guest Bruce Kulick in a fundraiser to support the Nevada SPCA through donations from the fans.

The packed bar got slammed with 90 straight minutes of pure rock adrenaline — Ozzy, Guns N’ Roses, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Home Sweet Home, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Wanted Dead or Alive, Bret Michaels’ Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Whitesnake’s Here I Go Again, and a full‑throttle sing‑along to Livin’ on a Prayer.

Then the night hit another gear. Special guest Bruce Kulick stepped up beside Todd, and together they tore into a medley of KISS classics — Forever, I Was Made for Lovin’ You, and Heaven’s on Fire —

Todd & Bruce transformed the Hard Rock Cafe into a fully charged Vegas moment — the kind lit by neon reflections off the bar and driven by a crowd locked into every note. The energy built steadily as the room filled, and by the time the guitars peaked, it felt less like a casual afternoon set and more like a signature Strip experience! It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just entertain; it leaves fans with a clear sense that they witnessed something very special, the sort of memory Las Vegas is known for creating!

{My Take}

The acoustic afternoon at the Hard Rock Cafe carried a kind of stillness you don’t often find on the Strip — a pause in the usual rush, where the lights outside felt distant and the room itself became the whole world. Todd Kerns and Bruce Kulick eased into their set with the kind of calm confidence that comes from years onstage, but here it felt different. Without the volume, without the spectacle, the focus shifted to the small things: the way their voices blended, the soft scrape of fingers on strings, the shared breath before a chorus.

Fans didn’t just listen; they settled into the moment. Some watched with quiet smiles, others let their eyes drift closed, taking in the songs like memories being revisited rather than performed. It was the kind of afternoon that reminded you how music can slow time down when it wants to — how an unplugged performance can feel more honest than a full production ever could.

And the donations for the Nevada SPCA added a gentle weight to it all. People arrived with envelopes, bags, and small offerings, placing them at the table with a kind of quiet pride. It wasn’t a grand gesture, but a collective one — a room full of individuals choosing to give back while sharing an intimate musical moment. In a city built on noise and spectacle, this gathering felt like a reminder that connection often happens in the quieter spaces!

What an awesome unplugged afternoon!

Gary England

Tonight Saturday August 22nd: Paul Shortino & Mitch Perry Bring The Heat Back To The Treasure Island Hotel's Breeze Bar!

 

Last night I rolled down the LV Strip and straight into the neon glow of Treasure Island’s Breeze Bar, where Paul Shortino and Mitch Perry were already warming the room like two rock‑and‑roll demigods tuning up for battle. The place was packed — locals, tourists, die‑hard music freaks — all crammed in shoulder‑to‑shoulder, waiting for this Best of Las Vegas‑nominated duo to light the fuse.

Even during soundcheck, these two weren’t “warming up.” They were detonating. Shortino’s voice hit the room like a velvet sledgehammer, and Perry — part guitarist, part keyboard sorcerer — carved riffs that made the Breeze Bar feel like a backstage jam at Madison Square Garden.

The show launched around seven with “Shooting Star” by Bad Company, and from there it was a full‑throttle ride through the soundtrack of America’s wild heart: Bee Gees, The Temptations, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Rod Stewart, Allman Brothers, Journey — and then the Quiet Riot classic “Bang Your Head”, delivered by the Quiet Riot man himself, Paul Freakin’ Shortino.

Later came the heavy artillery: “Whole Lotta Love,” “Ramble On,” Marvin Gaye soul, Grace Slick psychedelia, CTA brass, and a knockout closer with “What a Wonderful World.” Only in Vegas do you get Zeppelin, Motown, and Louis Armstrong in the same set — and only Shortino & Perry can make it feel like one seamless, swaggering story.

Two world‑class guitarists. Mitch the keyboard wizard. Paul’s unmistakable, world‑famous voice. When you see them live, you instantly get why they’re nominated for Best of Las Vegas 2026 — Lounge Act.

They’re back at it tonight, 7–10 PM, inside the Breeze Bar at Treasure Island. And if you want to support real Vegas talent, you can vote for them at www.votebolv.com under the Lounge Act category.

Have A BaDD-A$$ Saturday Night!

Gary England

Rustic Lounge Roll‑Call: The Bands & The Musicians Who Lit Up The Stage!

 

Last night, I rolled into the Rustic Lounge in Henderson for their every‑other‑Thursday night Jam‑Fest — and man, these nights always hit different. I live for these jam sessions. The room turns into a playground for raw Vegas and Henderson talent, with musicians stepping up to show off what they’ve got, test‑drive fresh riffs, tighten the loose bolts, and just flat‑out do the thing they love. It’s some of the best homegrown firepower in the valley, all plugged in and unleashed!

From the second I hit the door, I knew the night was about to explode. The place was packed wall‑to‑wall with fans, die‑hard music lovers, and a whole crew of local musicians I already recognized — the kind of crowd that tells you that the Rustic Lounge is about to throw down something special!

My mission for the night wasn’t just to soak up the music — it was to snag some intel on a few standout bands and local talent I can blast out to the world. I’m always looking to give these Vegas and Henderson artists a little extra push in the right direction, shine a light on their grind, and help their names travel farther than the room they’re playing in. And let’s just say… my blog has some suits in the music biz around the world watching and listening to what I say!

The whole night was off the charts from the jump. Every band, every music maker, every artist who hit that stage was locked in and bringing it loud — no misses, no warm‑ups, just straight firepower all night long!

The first band to grab my attention was Satin Steel out of Arizona. After their set, I sat down with them and went straight into my “you guys need to move to Vegas” spiel — because your sound and look would crush it here. Word, is they love Zona and its music scene, but they’re seriously vibing with the Vegas crowd, and they’re all about the Rustic Lounge. Let’s just say, if you’re a venue booker or a music promoter in Vegas, you might want to check out Satin Steel’s YouTube channel. They’ve got Vegas written all over them!

The next artist to hit the stage was a showstopper — a young powerhouse with the look of Cleopatra, with the voice of Ann Wilson from Heart, and the fearless, electric stage charisma of a Miley Cyrus.

 I first saw her over a year ago when she was just breaking into the music scene, and in that short time she’s transformed into a full‑throttle rock star dominating the local circuit. Helena Harris, you’ve officially grabbed this rock-journalist's attention. Wow. < Chasing Light >

My third spotlight dropped right onto Paul Anthony Systemec and his beautiful wife, Jen Lynn. Before they hit the stage, Paul told me, “Me and Jen are just doing a simple acoustic set tonight.” Well… Paul, Jen — that “simple acoustic set” sounded like a full arena‑touring band rolling through the Rustic Lounge. Big, bold, and absolutely awesome. Paul mentioned his band is getting things back in motion after a short hiatus from the biz, and from what I saw and heard last night, you’re more than ready to storm the stage again! Bring it on!

{My Take}

What an absolutely awesome night of music, friends, and full‑throttle talent at the Rustic Lounge. 

Huge thanks to Carmen and Les Warner for the invite — you two know how to pack a room with firepower. 

And a special shoutout to Dave Bentz and Dezi Lou for keeping the whole show running smooth as glass. 

To Satin Steel, Helena Harris, Paul and Jen, and every single band and musician who lit up that stage last night —

  You All RAWK!

Gary England

Where The Las Vegas Local Music Scene Gets Its Crown: The Neon Rocker Awards 2026

Wouldn't it be cool if: there were awards for the best of the best in our Local Las Vegas Music Scene?

The bands that blow the roof off every stage, the musicians who bleed rhythm and sweat passion, the venues that echo with every riff and roar, the lighting and sound techs who make the magic happen, the clubs and small bars where legends are born, and the casinos and hotels where our music shakes the scene!

And yeah — even a shout‑out to my peeps in the media, the ones who keep the stories alive and the spotlight burning. Every piece of this scene deserves a crown, a nod, a neon‑lit salute!

So here it is — my figurative award for each and every soul that makes up our awesome music scene. Including all of our wild and crazy fans — the heartbeat, the noise, the reason the amps stay hot!

This award is for all of you! The Neon Rocker Awards — where Vegas sound meets Vegas rock n' roll soul !

Gary England

The Vegas Pulse Of Live Music: When Local Music Fans Really Decide To Show Up

 

After numerous phone calls, texts, and hard research, one thing blasted through the neon: nobody in this city is releasing public reports about when Vegas locals decide to hit a live music show after seeing something on social media — and maybe they should! Casinos, clubs, and promoters track every click and spike behind the scenes, and the social platforms know the timing down to the second, but none of them share it. The data exists, humming like an amp before the first chord, but it stays locked away.

That’s why I take it on as my Vegas‑born responsibility to dig up this guarded information and pass it straight to the people who actually live the scene. If the big guys won’t share the timing, I will — based on what I see every day on garyengland.com and across my social pages.

Here’s the rhythm. When a local band announces a gig a month or two out, the only ones who jump early are the die‑hard rockers. They smash the buy tickets button instantly because they’re lifers — they don’t need hype or reminders. Everyone else? They’re waiting for the right moment. A month out, the casual fans start poking around, checking dates, and my posts begin pulling more hits. Tickets move, but slowly. Vegas locals choose their nights like they choose their jackpots — when the vibe feels right.

Then comes the final week. The weekend warriors wake up, the “maybe” crowd leans in, and my posts start lighting up. The real surge hits in the 48‑hour window — shares spike, tags fly, and people decide if this is their night out under the neon. And the biggest blast of all is the day‑of explosion. Vegas locals are famous for it. They wake up, scroll, see a band they love, and boom — decision made. No planning, just pure Vegas instinct.

That’s the cycle: early die‑hards, slow‑burn casuals, final‑week rumble, 48‑hour surge, and the day‑of blast that turns an ordinary night into a full‑tilt rock‑and‑roll memory. If the official stats stay buried, I’ll keep tracking the pulse myself and giving the real story to the fans who actually live in this city.

MY TAKE

A huge worldwide touring band and a local Vegas favorite are two completely different worlds. Touring bands promote up to a year in advance because they’re filling stadiums and mega‑venues that hold 30,000 to 70,000 people or more, and die‑hard fans buy early because they refuse to get shut out.

But the local scene runs on Vegas time — fast, flexible, and fueled by the moment. Locals don’t need a year’s notice. They decide when the energy hits, when the vibe clicks, when the neon calls their name. Two different beasts. Two different rhythms. Two different games!

Gary England

Blaze Of Las Vegas Glory - Vote Loud Vote Proud Vote Daily For The Best Of Las Vegas!

 

To me, after a lifetime circling the amps, cameras, stages, and media trenches, I’ve learned a few truths carved in stone. 

One: if you’re in the arts — musician, photographer, writer, whatever your weapon — you’re blessed beyond measure. 

Two: every shot, riff, lyric, and frame is just your soul kicking the door open. 

And three: no matter how tough you talk, you judge yourself by the echoes — the fans, the crowd, the noise — because their reaction becomes the mirror you can’t escape.

This brings me to today’s blog — the neon‑lit pinnacle of Vegas glory. The ultimate reward for excellence in this wild desert circus. Think the Oscars, the Grammys, the Golden Globes, the Billboard Awards — all smashed together, shaken hard, and poured into one legendary trophy. 

That’s the Best of Las Vegas awards, the annual crown jewel where the city decides who truly owns the spotlight!

So, if you’re fresh to Sin City, or tuning into my blog from some far‑off corner of the planet, you’re probably wondering: what’s the deal with these Best of Las Vegas awards? What’s everyone buzzing about? What makes this thing such a big, neon‑soaked badge of honor in the desert?

It’s the question every newcomer eventually asks — and the answer hits like a spotlight blast!

What are the "Best of Las Vegas Awards"

The Best of Las Vegas is the city’s annual neon‑crowned roll call of greatness — a fan‑driven spotlight blast where YOU get to decide who really keeps this town alive. It’s the moment when locals, diehards, and desert dreamers point straight at the businesses, pros, and personalities who make Las Vegas tick, grind, shine, and deliver day after day.

And here’s where the Best of Las Vegas Awards really kick the doors open and start to rock’ n’ roll —

It’s also where our local music scene gets its praise, its honor, and its hard‑earned kudos for a job done right.

This is the arena where the bands who sweat under the lights, the singers who shred the mic, the guitar slingers who melt faces, the killer venues that hand their stages over to the fans, the shows, the tribute acts, and the behind‑the‑scenes crews who keep the whole beast roaring finally get their moment in the neon sun.

It’s Vegas stepping forward, tipping its hat, and saying:

We see you. We hear you. And WOW — you’re tearing this town up in all the right ways!

Here’s where YOU — the heartbeat of our Las Vegas music scene — jump into the spotlight. Slide over to www.votebolv.com, smash that Entertainment tab, and dive into the categories where our scene is stacked, loaded, and ready to dominate.

Lounge Acts, Tribute Shows, Concert Venues — the whole neon buffet is there for you. Thirty‑five sub‑categories, each one a stage waiting for your vote, your voice, your fire.

This is where the city hears you. This is where the music community shows up. This is where Vegas gets loud!

Cast your daily vote (yep, you can vote each day) before the September 10th midnight deadline, then keep your eyes locked on December 6th when the winners drop on the Best of Las Vegas website and inside the Las Vegas Review‑Journal’s Winners Magazine. This is the moment the city lights up, the spotlights swing wide, and the champions of our scene get their victory roar.

Gary England

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This Morning More Fox5 TV Spotlights A Heavy Vegas Weekend: The Bones & Cyanide Live Inside The Tuscany Suites Copa Room Saturday August 22nd

 

Watch Patrick Vitagliano and Jason Feinberg interview < Here >

Huge shoutout to Fox5 Las Vegas and the killer crew over at the More Fox5 morning show — airing Monday through Friday locally at 10am. They dropped an awesome interview with Local Las Vegas music scene heavy‑hitter Patrick Vitagliano and Jason Feinberg, shining a bright spotlight on The Bones and Cyanide and their upcoming gig this Saturday, August 22nd. Doors at 7:30pm, show detonates at 8pm inside the Tuscany Suites & Casino Copa Room.

If you’re craving a full‑blast, metal‑fueled chaos fix, this is exactly where you need to be. Hit the link below for more info and ticket details.

(6) Cÿanide & The BONES – Live at the Copa Room | Facebook

{My Take}

Nights like this are why the Vegas music scene keeps its crown. With More Fox5 shining the spotlight and The Bones and Cyanide gearing up to blow the roof off the Tuscany Copa Room, the city’s music heartbeat is pounding louder than ever. If you’re ready for a Saturday night built on riffs, adrenaline, and pure mayhem, this is your stop. Hit the link above, grab the tickets, and get ready to throw down!

Gary England

Load In Sound Right 90 Minutes of Sammy: Aliante Hotel Welcomed Three Lock Box Home With Style Saturday Night August 15th!

 When word first leaked that Three Lock Box was rolling into the Aliante Hotel Casino showroom on August 15th, that date didn’t just catch my attention — it slammed itself onto my music and entertainment calendar like a power chord hitting the mix. This was one of those “drop everything, clear the night, charge the phone, we’re going” moments that every Vegas rock fan knows by heart!

I wanted to crank the volume as high as it would go and let Las Vegas — and anyone else within earshot — know that Three Lock Box, the best and most recognizable tribute to Sammy Hagar on the planet, was officially heading back home. Over a year since playing Las Vegas! When a band like that points their compass toward the neon, you don’t whisper it… You broadcast it like a stadium‑sized announcement!

I figured the only way to do this right was to go full‑throttle — write a stack of promos, then cover their homecoming from the first cable hitting the stage to the last chord ringing out. Load‑in, sound check, backstage buzz, the whole adrenaline‑soaked climb to showtime. Beginning to end, no shortcuts, no half‑measures — just the complete Three Lock Box return to Vegas in all its Red Rocker glory!

Pictured below are a few shots I grabbed during load‑in and sound check, catching Three Lock Box in that raw, behind‑the‑curtain zone where the real magic starts to spark.

Click on pictures to enlarge

Saturday night didn’t just start at 3pm — it rolled in like a backstage thunderstorm. The band hit the lot with cases, cables, and attitude, unloading gear like a small army preparing for battle. Guitars came out of their coffins, amps stacked up like concrete blocks, and drum kits exploded into place piece by piece.

Onstage, it was all motion — tuning strings, warming up voices, dialing in tones, checking lights, tightening bolts, and making sure every sight and sound screamed rock‑star ready.

And once the machines were humming and the stage was locked in? It was finally time to grab some food, kick back, and breathe before their big homecoming throwdown at 8pm!

When the lights dropped and the crowd leaned in, it was officially showtime — that electric moment when the stage becomes a living, breathing beast. And before the first chord hit the air, the lineup stepped into the glow like a crew built for a Saturday‑night takeover.

{Spotlighting The Band}

Jay Cee — Lead Vocals & Guitar

Jay Cee doesn’t just front the band — he drives it. He’s the spark plug, the Firestarter, the guy whose voice cuts through the room like a neon blade. His guitar work adds the grit, but it’s the swagger in his delivery that makes the crowd lean forward. He’s the storyteller, the showman, the one who sets the tone for the night.

Steve Heath — Lead Guitar

Steve is the band’s sonic sniper. Every riff is sharp; every solo is a controlled explosion. He’s got that veteran Vegas precision — the kind that comes from years of stages, sweat, and late‑night sets. When he steps forward for a lead break, the whole room shifts into “watch this” mode.

Merry Adin — Bass

Merry is the anchor — the pulse — the low‑end architect who keeps the whole machine glued together. Her bass lines don’t just support the songs; they drive them. She brings groove, attitude, and that cool, unshakeable stage presence that every great rock band needs.

Brenda Fitz — Keys

Brenda isn’t just part of the band — she’s the secret weapon hiding in plain sight. Her keyboard work brings the shimmer, the atmosphere, and that big, cinematic lift that turns a rock song into a full‑blown moment.

Whether she’s laying down warm, glowing pads, tearing through soulful keyboard runs, or dropping those classic rock textures that make a song feel larger than life, Brenda is the color in the band’s palette. This musician makes everything sound bigger, brighter, and bolder.

Danny Robert — Drums

Danny is the heartbeat — the engine — the guy who makes the stage shake. His drumming is tight, loud, and locked‑in, the kind of playing that keeps the band flying but never out of control. Every fill hit like a punch, every groove lands like a statement. He’s the backbone of the night.

Miss Sherri Klein — Dancer & Stage Performer

Sherri brings the movement, the flash, the Vegas heat. She’s the visual spark that turns a rock show into a full‑blown experience. Her presence adds energy, attitude, and that unmistakable showbiz flair — the kind that makes the crowd feel like they’re part of something bigger than just a concert.

Together? They’re a Vegas‑born rock machine.

A lineup built for big stages, loud nights, and homecoming crowds ready to erupt!

They didn’t just erupt — they exploded onstage! The moment the band hit the stage, the night blew wide open with a blast of Sammy‑powered adrenaline. They launched straight into a firestorm of classics, kicking things off with “Why Can’t This Be Love”, then driving head‑first into “Top of the World” and “Best of Both Worlds.”

From there, the set turned into a full‑tilt rock barrage — a molten mix of “Right Now–Heavy Metal,” “Three Lock Box,” “Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy,” “When It’s Love,” and “Finish What Ya Started.”

Then came the moment that hit deeper than the bass: a heartfelt dedication of “Eagles Fly” to our United States Veterans, a salute that lifted the entire room.

And when it was time to shut the place down, they slammed the door with a triple‑threat finale — “Rock Candy,” “I Can’t Drive 55,” and “There’s Only One Way to Rock.”

Ninety minutes. Non‑stop. Wall‑to‑wall Sammy Hagar classics delivered with the force of a Vegas explosion.

{My Take}

After ninety minutes of pure Sammy Hagar fire, the band stepped offstage and walked straight out to the casino, to the front of the showroom, where fans were waiting with open arms. They stayed, they talked, they posed for pictures — turning the end of the night into a personal moment shared with the people who made it all possible. It felt like the perfect full‑circle finish to their homecoming: a night of music, memories, and a band giving back to the crowd that gives them their fire!

Huge thanks to Three Lock Box and the entire crew at the Aliante Hotel Casino for throwing down a homecoming night that felt like a neon‑lit celebration of everything we love about live rock in Las Vegas. And a special thanks to Patrick “Crash” Smith for keeping the whole operation running smoothly and steady — the behind‑the‑scenes force that keeps Three Lock Box firing on all cylinders.

What a way to bring the family back together!

Let’s fire this up again — real soon!

Gary England

My past "Promo" for Three Lock Box coming home.

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Why Does It Appear That The WNBA Has So Much Animosity Compared To Other Professional Sports?

 

WNBA Dot Com

Why does the WNBA appear more hostile than other leagues?

The idea that the WNBA is overflowing with animosity has become one of the league’s hottest talking points, but the truth is far more fan‑friendly: the league isn’t angrier — it’s louder, tighter, and more visible than almost any other pro sport. And that’s exactly why fans love it (or hate it)!

In a league with fewer teams, rivalries don’t fade into the background — they hit center stage. 

Every matchup feels personal, every rematch feels like a sequel, and every hard foul becomes part of a season‑long storyline. There’s no hiding in the WNBA. The talent pool is elite and concentrated, so when two stars collide, fans feel it across the entire league. What might be a footnote in the NBA becomes a full‑blown headline in the WNBA simply because the spotlight is brighter and the stage is smaller!

That spotlight gets even hotter thanks to modern sports media. The WNBA is still fighting for mainstream attention, and nothing grabs eyeballs faster than a little competitive fire!

 A stare‑down goes viral. A postgame quote becomes a trending topic. A rivalry becomes the heartbeat of the season. Media outlets amplify these moments not because the league is hostile, but because fans respond to passion, personality, and drama — the same ingredients that make every great sports league thrive!

Add in the league’s ongoing push for respect, better pay, and improved conditions, and you get a player culture that’s intense, outspoken, and fiercely united. WNBA athletes aren’t just competing; they’re advocating. That edge isn’t animosity — it’s pride!

 It’s urgency. It’s the energy of players who know they’re building something bigger than themselves. Fans feel that authenticity, and it’s part of what makes the league so compelling!

Social Media

Social media only amplifies the fun. WNBA players are among the most online and interactive athletes in sports. They clap back, joke around, defend teammates, and engage directly with fans. It’s not hostility — it’s accessibility. It’s personality. It’s the kind of real‑time connection fans crave, and it makes every storyline feel alive.

And let’s not forget: the league is still young. The WNBA is in the middle of defining its identity. Rivalries between veterans and rising stars, college fanbases carrying over into the pros, and teams meeting repeatedly in high‑stakes games all add fuel to the fire. But that fire is what makes sports fun. It’s what makes fans pick sides, buy tickets, and tune into the games!

The perception of animosity also comes from long‑standing biases in how women athletes are judged. The same trash talk, swagger, and physical play celebrated in men’s sports is often scrutinized in women’s leagues. Confidence gets mislabeled as arrogance. Toughness gets mistaken for hostility. But fans know better — they see the WNBA for what it is: competitive, passionate, and unapologetically intense.

In reality, the WNBA isn’t more hostile than other leagues. It’s simply more visible, more vocal, and more connected to its fans. What looks like animosity is really the perfect mix of rivalry, personality, media spotlight, and competitive fire — the exact recipe that makes sports worth watching!

{My Take}

That spark you see in the WNBA isn’t animosity — it’s passion. It’s pride. It’s the fire of a league growing fast and refusing to apologize for its intensity! 

And that’s exactly why fans keep showing up. The WNBA is bold, competitive, and full of personality, and if you’re just tuning in, you’re catching it at the perfect time. Settle in, pick a favorite player, enjoy the rivalries, and ride the wave — because this league is only getting better every day!

I Love the WNBA!

Go Aces!

Gary England

WNBA.Com