Sunday, September 20th, 2026
To my readers:
Writing down what I see, snapping an occasional pic or two, holding conversations with fans around me, and shaking hands and trading fist pumps with an occasional quick conversation or two, with the rock stars I know as they roll past in full red‑carpet style — it all makes my job a wild mix of fun and focus. Plus, a handful of calls to the two companies I work for, keeping them updated in real time, adds another layer to the chaos. I’m watching, working, and loving every second of it. I hope everyone who reads my post enjoys it as much as I enjoyed writing about what I saw last night.
Walking the red carpet with style!
Sunday night couldn’t have come fast enough for this old rock writer. I’d been amped for Sally Steele’s Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards from the moment the announcement hit, counting down the days like a fan waiting for the lights to drop at a stadium show!
I rolled into The Orleans a little before 5, just early enough to check in with the media crew covering the show. I grabbed my ticket and badge—my passport for the night—then headed through the casino toward the front entrance, where the red carpet was set to ignite at 6 PM.
The energy was already building, that familiar Vegas hum rising under the neon as the first clusters of fans and photographers started to gather.
The red carpet was locked in and ready to roar—lights blazing, velvet ropes straightened, and every inch of space mapped out for the army of photographers, videographers, radio crews, and camera teams covering the walk of fame. You could feel the anticipation in the air as the media lanes snapped into formation, each spot marked and claimed like territory before a battle. The whole setup looked primed for impact, a neon-lit runway waiting for the first blast of rock‑and‑roll royalty to hit!
The clock finally slammed into 6 PM and the whole place snapped awake, lights up, cameras locked in, and the red carpet officially ready to erupt. The stage was set, every spotlight burning hot, and the entire area around the carpet was jammed with fans riding a level of excitement that was downright crazy. You could feel the energy vibrating off the walls, that wild Vegas buzz that tells you something big is about to hit.
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First to hit the spotlight was the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll herself, Sally Steele. Dressed head‑to‑toe in blazing red, she didn’t just walk the carpet—she lit it up. The moment she stepped into the flash‑bulb frenzy, photographers snapped to attention and fans surged forward. Sally Steele owned the runway with that slow, confident stride only a true Vegas rock monarch can deliver, turning the entire entrance into her own personal stage!
Then the stars started rolling in—the unmistakable rock royalty every fan in the building knew by heart. These were the names that carried decades of stage sweat, guitar fire, and arena history, stepping onto the carpet like they were born under the spotlights. Each arrival sent a fresh jolt through the crowd, the kind of electricity only legends can trigger!
Heavy‑metal hitters Armored Saint were the first to storm the red‑carpet lane, rolling in with that battle‑tested swagger fans recognize on instinct. Right behind them came Mitch Malloy of Great White, sliding into the spotlight with the cool confidence of a frontman who’s lived half his life under the lights. Vegas roared for one of its own as Heroine Honey floated down the carpet with that hometown‑hero glow that always hits different in this city — once stars of Vegas, now shining for the whole world to see!
Then Martin Motnik lit up the scene, stepping in with his trademark precision‑player cool. Franky Perez fired up the lane with his signature swagger, with Christian Brady matching him beat for beat. From there, the carpet stayed molten, turning into a parade of pure rock royalty — a who’s‑who of the music world rolling in one after another, each arrival cranking the energy higher and pushing the crowd into a full‑blown frenzy.
The Vegas Rocks! house band followed, strutting down the lane like they owned it — and they absolutely did. The lineup was a killer blast of rock pedigree: Mr. Big’s Billy Sheehan, Count’s Customs’ Horny Mike, Michael Anthony of Van Halen, legendary guitar tech Dugie Dugan, and closing the charge, a rock titan who needs no introduction — Steve Vai.
By this time, the clock was grinding closer to showtime; the pressure was clearly on. Every rock star in the house was ushered toward that coveted red-carpet run, ready to be admired, photographed, and seen as the final seconds before the spotlights were to hit inside the showroom were almost upon us!
George Pajon of the Black‑Eyed Peas, Jeff Scott Soto of Journey, and DJ Ashba of Guns N’ Roses all hit the walk, followed by world media powerhouse Eddie Trunk. Then came Vegas’ own heavy hitters — Zowie Bowie, Bruce Kulick, Barry Barnes, Stoney Curtis, Jeff Tortora, Jason Walker, and Lagarto Marley — each taking their turn in full rock‑star style.
A few last stars rolled through before I jumped on the phone to New York, calling in what I’d seen to the media platforms that give my blog worldwide reach. Andrew Hagar, Chris Kael, Lizzy Borden, Frank DiMino, and one of my personal favorites, Miss Cian Coey, all made their mark on the carpet.
By this time, I was already talking with the two companies that give my blog musicentertainmentsports.blogspot.com its global exposure, filing my early report as the night kicked into high gear. It was time to head into the showroom — the event everyone came to see. And if I missed anyone who took the walk tonight, consider this my rock‑writer apology. Now it was showtime for the Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards to begin!
My night at Sally Steele's Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards
So far, the night was nothing short of explosive. The fun, the chaos, the electricity- everyone was riding the same adrenaline high. I was close enough to these legends on the red carpet to feel the heat that was coming off their leather jackets, close enough to toss a word their way, close enough to touch the very icons who keep rock alive today!
And we were only minutes from liftoff, live music, roaring amps, and honoring the giants who built the foundation this entire industry stands on. Everything they’ve done for rock, everything they’ve given to the fans, everything they’ve poured into the music… tonight was for them!
Thank you, all of you, for keeping the music fire burning! This awards show is for you!
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The show hit just a few minutes after 8, kicking off with a powerhouse video salute to Sally Steele and the mountain of accomplishments she’s delivered to the rock community here in Las Vegas. Vegas Rocks! Magazine, the Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards, Vegas Rocks TV — all of it flashed across the screen like a highlight reel of a woman who’s spent her life keeping rock loud, proud, and impossible to ignore. And Sally… if you don’t mind, I’m calling you a Rock Star, because you’ve earned that title ten times over!
When the lights snapped back on, Sally took command of the room and kicked the night into gear. Her intro hit like a spark, and seconds later Pure Sport blasted onto the stage, firing up the showroom with the kind of heat Las Vegas is built on. They didn’t ease the crowd in — they detonated the opening, turning that first minute into a full‑tilt ignition point for everything that was about to come.
Brian Slagel stepped up and delivered the Metal Award to Armored Saint, a perfect match of legend honoring legend. Vegas pride lit up the room as Zowie Bowie was recognized for the spirit and heart he pours into this city. Alistar James took home Artist of the Year, while Jerry Harvey received his well‑earned honorable recognition. Then local favorite Stoney Curtis hit the stage to present Eddie Trunk with his award, saluting Eddie’s tireless, decades‑deep grind in the broadcast world.
Heroine Honey slammed onto the stage to perform and instantly cranked the showroom to a full‑blown boil, setting the perfect tone before snagging their award for Best Rock Band in Las Vegas — handed to them by radio legend Lark Williams of 97.1 The Point.
Chris Kael of Five Finger Death Punch stepped up and delivered the Best Podcast award to impressionist madman Craig Gass, who had the crowd laughing before he even reached the mic. The energy didn’t dip for a second, as DJ Ashba tore into the spotlight to receive the Best Guitar Player Award, a title he wears like a custom‑built Schecter!
And the guitar heroics kept coming. Bruce Kulick of KISS took the stage and presented Gilby Clarke with the Guitar Hero Award, a moment that hit like a power chord straight through the room!
Franky Perez and his band — featuring one of my favorite guitar slingers, Christian Brady — slammed into the packed showroom with a blistering blast of Whole Lotta Love that shook the walls. The crowd was already on fire when the Review‑Journal’s own powerhouse journalist John Kats stepped up to honor Franky with the Entertainer of the Year award, sealing a moment that felt straight out of rock‑and‑roll history.
Tracii Guns tore into the spotlight as he was honored with the Guitar Legend Award, a title that fits him like a perfectly worn fretboard. Mitch Malloy followed, finally getting his due with the Best Frontman Award, a nod to the power and presence he brings every time he steps behind a mic. Then Michael Anthony — the heartbeat bassist of Van Halen and Sammy Hagar — took the stage to honor Kevin “Dugie” Dugan for everything he’s contributed to the music industry. And in a moment that hit the room straight in the chest, Michael himself was surprised with recognition for his own lifetime of work, a tribute that felt as big as the legacy he’s built!
Andrew Hagar — recognize the name? — stepped up and accepted the award on behalf of his dad, honoring the lifetime of work Sammy has poured into the music world. Decades of sweat, sound, and soul in this business, all wrapped into one moment, handed from son to father with pride that hit the room like a spotlight blast.
Billy Sheehan was honored as a Rock Legend Bass Player, a salute to the decades he’s spent redefining what a bassist can do. Then Steve Vai took the spotlight for his Lifetime Achievement Award, a moment that hit hard — honoring a guitarist who’s reshaped the sound and spirit of rock for generations!
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To close the show, the entire lineup stormed the stage with Tracii Guns for a fiery blast of Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love, turning the finale into a full‑room sing‑and‑shout moment. Then everyone gathered in tight for a group shot — cast members, honorees, and rock heavyweights — locking in the final image of this year’s show.
As I said in one of my blogs, Sally Steele sure knows how to throw a party — and tonight proved it all over again. Thank you, Sally, for everything you do to keep music alive around the world, and especially right here in Las Vegas. To the House Band on stage, and to the many others that made the night a total success, thank you. One last shout-out goes out to Boyd Gaming for the killer showroom, the crew, the lighting, and the sound. You rock too!
Till next time.
Keep On RAWKING!
Gary England
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