My Shout‑Out To The People Who Keep Local Las Vegas Alive!

 You know, every once in a while, it's nice to receive a "Thank You" for what you do :-)

When I rolled into Las Vegas back in 1999, I already had 31 years in the media biz as a ghost — writing in the shadows, grinding through deadlines, and living the kind of behind‑the‑scenes hustle only lifers understand. "Been there, done that", I thought!

Not long after I hit town, two of Vegas’ top photographers pulled me aside. These were the kings of the pit, the guys who owned every stage in the local music scene. They told me my work was really good… then warned me that might be the very thing that would burn me out. They said the politics, the jealousy, the haters, and the noise would eventually make me lose interest and walk away. Well — decades later, I’m still here, just barely.

And here’s the truth: I never even considered photography as my strong point. Writing is, was, and will always be who I am! Taking pics is just a side gig for me.

Las Vegas used to be packed with local media pros who covered the local music scene because they lived it. Journalists, writers, photographers, and podcasters who knew every dive bar stage, every late‑night jam, every band grinding through the neon haze. They weren’t tourists with press badges — they were locals who showed up because the music mattered, documenting the scene from the inside out.

Today, the roster’s thinned to a couple of magazines, a handful of writers still swinging, a few podcasts fighting the good fight, and a handful of talented photographers keeping the flame alive.

Being a local media member in this town isn’t easy! You deal with armchair experts who swear they know more about media than the people actually doing the work. You deal with people who talk behind your back. You deal with has-beens that never was. You deal with haters who get jealous because your name hits the spotlight and theirs doesn’t. And you deal with people who simply don’t appreciate your grind — the long nights, the hustle, the passion it takes to keep Vegas’ local music story alive.

But the ones still standing? They’re locals. They’re loyal. They love music, and they're proud to show it through their work!. And you know who you are. Good job. Thanks for keeping the music scene alive, and for keeping Las Vegas on the map. I appreciate you!

To all the amateur writers, journalists, photographers, and podcasters, O hell yes, thank you!  You’re the ones in the trenches, the ones hauling cameras into dark bars, scribbling notes under neon lights, hitting “record” in living rooms and garages because nobody else is telling the story. Your work is raw, real, and absolutely vital. You keep the pulse beating when the pros thin out. You keep the scene visible when the big outlets look the other way. And your work? It’s awesome too. Don’t let anyone — the armchair critics, the jealous shadows, the noise — tell you otherwise. Vegas stays on the map because you show up. And I appreciate every damn one of you!!

And lastly — to the two badass photographers who pulled me aside all those years ago, trying to warn me about what was coming… You nailed it. You hit it right on the head! Is it to late to say thank you?

Gary England

What Are Your Thoughts About Your Local Music Scene?

 I was asked to write a positive article about the "Local Las Vegas Music Scene." 

Remember, I said a positive article... So here goes...

The “Local Music Scene” isn’t some cute little club or a polite gathering of folks who happen to like guitars and music.

No — it’s the living, breathing undercurrent of a city’s soul. It’s the late‑night storytellers, the stage‑burners, the die‑hard fans, the bartenders who’ve heard every band’s first demo, the venues that keep the lights on for one more set, and the media misfits who amplify the whole circus. Not the mainstream media!

When we talk about the Local Music Scene, we’re talking about the ecosystem — the grid — the electric network of people who keep the music alive before it hits the big casinos, the big labels, or the big money. It’s the proving ground. The launchpad. The place where legends get their first scar.

Is it just a bunch of people who like music? Hell no. It’s a tribe. A culture. A shared obsession. It’s the folks who show up on a Tuesday night when the band’s still figuring out their sound. It’s the musicians who haul gear in 110‑degree Vegas heat because the gig matters. It’s the fans who know every lyric before the band records them.

It’s the writers, photographers, podcasters, and bloggers who show up daily. Those people who shine a spotlight on the ones still clawing their way up, not about the musicians and bands who have already made their way up to Rock-Stardom, they already receive plenty of press!

Being part of the Local Music Scene isn’t about a membership card — it’s about showing up. Supporting. Creating. Sharing. Caring enough to keep the amps warm and the stages busy. If you contribute to the pulse — in any way — you’re in the scene.

You think?

Leave your comments below.

Gary England