PR PLUS: THE BEST OF LAS VEGAS

There's a company here in Las Vegas called PR PLUS. It was founded several years ago by my talented friend LAURA HERLOVICH.
How taleneted is she?
Let me tell you a story.
Back in the 90's, Las Vegas was changing and changing fast. Older (and just plain old) shows and stars were giving way to Rock n Roll. Thing is, nobody knew quite how to handle the rock stars. Well, one girl did: LAURA HERLOVICH!

I'll never forget the opening of The Hard Rock Hotel. For whatever various reasons, I've been invited to all of the major Las Vegas resort openings of the past 20 years. Sometimes, like at the MGM, it was because I was dating the right woman at the right time. Multiple times, I came with a big star and once I think I got on the VIP list because they mixed me up with WILLIE NELSON. That period of my life is a little hazy but I do remember The Hard Rock. AEROSMITH rocking out in a giant tent, right on Paradise Road. And who set it all up and made sure things went well? LAURA HERLOVICH! THe Hard Rock locked up Laura's services and, last I checked, she's still the one.

So I'm in my old friend's office for a meeting the other day and hanging right over her desk, looking east (at me) is this great promotional photo of JACKSON BROWNE. Now I was at that Hard Rock show, and here's what happened: people who know anything about me know I'm crazy about the music of JACKSON BROWNE. He's THE poet of our time. Just as the show is closing, a nice young guy comes over and asks me to follow him. He's leading me backstage. Now I pretty much grew-up backstage, and continue to spend many nights behind the scenes of Las Vegas shows and in the dressing rooms of our stars but, when we arrived backstage after that show, and I saw Jackson, I turned and went out into the casino. Two Jack Daniels later the casino host found me and asked why I'd disappeared. "I wouldn't have known what to say." In other words, I peed down my leg.

Years have passed and I've since spoken to JACKSON BROWNE and on at least one occasion I may have even made sense, but I'm still not sure. I do know that I'm still looking for a lover who won't blow my cover.

We had a wonderfully creative meeting with Laura and here's wishing PR PLUS many more years of success here in Las Vegas.

WISDOM FROM THE HOUSE OF H2O

SILENCE IS ONE OF THE HARDEST ARGUMENTS TO REFUTE

SERGIO VELLATTI

There's an up-and-coming singer I keep hearing about: SERGIO VELLATTI.

Because of some of the work I've done in Las Vegas, including having written and produced the very FIRST Rat Pack tribute show, (with permish, btw), and my association with many big shows and stars, including a certain blue- eyed Italian-American singer, people feel the need to send me links to new singers, usually lame or just lousy, and that's fine, because I don't really take any of that stuff seriously and I usually, as the saying goes, 'fuget about it," but lately, I've been seeing a name that I can't forget, a guy I've been hearing about over and over: SERGIO VELLATTI.

SERGIO VELLATTI is a singer you'll remember.

It's a cool name, memorable and masculine and guess what? So is he. Yup, I checked him out, and it turns out that, in addition to loads of good songs on YouTube, Sergio has launched a website where you can hear him sing, and swing:


www.sergiovellatti.com

Most of these new singers couldn't swing if they were on the end of a rope, but Sergio undersatnds the Sinatra swingers, and the ballads, too. And hearing his great big voice sing classics like 'Spinning Wheel' will make your head go 'round. This guy isn't afraid to let the blood sweat and tears flow and that is the mark of greatness.

If you like good music, the great standards and newer pop songs, sung by an up-and-coming straight-up great singer, please visit Sergio's site.

I'd like to say that I discovered him, but I will share something really amazing: this good looking guy with the beautiful voice just discovered himself. He did. He has great instincts but the truth is, the world of professional singing is new to him. I say we support this fine young talent.

In America, the way we vote for artists we like is to buy their music and tell our friends all about it. SERGIO VELLATTI deserves your vote.

Now, let's tell everyone.

DO YOU HEAR ME? I'M TALKING TO YOU

I wanted to post a new Facebook photo and, after hearing that I should smile more by more than a few friends, I decided to do one. A picture, not a friend. But the thing is , I really-really-don't like taking pictures. I mean, if I'm posing with several of my great looking friends, great, because, like guilt, my looks improve by association.

But a profile pic? Ick!

I have a friend who happens to be blind. She used to see shadows but now- nothing. And she's cool with it. I often say, "Hey, there are some new films opening on Friday, you wanna go hear a movie?" I know, I'm a dick.

So tonight she was telling me that she can hear when I'm smiling, and that she liked it. So I asked her, "Lisa, would you shoot a picture of me, you know, smiling?"

The first two I wasn't even in the shot but the third-and final- one came out pretty OK. At least that's what she just told me, so I'm going with it, and her.



By the way, she picked out the shirt, so's you know...



Sending love from The House of H2O



Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

PROUDLY PURPLE

God, I didn't want to write this. And how silly am I going to look, thinking there's internet in heaven. But maybe someone will read this and not do what you did, they'll not kill themselves.

I have a small number of loyal readers, people interested in my opinions, but, up until now, I've never gotten too personal. I've never once told anyone what to do, until today. Kids are under so much pressure to fit in that gay teens are taking their own lives in record numbers so we have to do something.

God I miss you today. I remember you buying me that purple shirt, at Chess King, at the start of the school year. I loved that shirt because you told me it looked good on me. You were dead a few weeks later.

What you chose to do wasn't cowardly. In fact, I think it took guts, but it was so very selfish. I mean, did you not stop and think that it'd fuck me up for real, forever?

One night, a few years back, a girl I was seeing was going through a box of my photos, you know, trying so hard to get close to me. She held up a great shot; you and me, poolside in Palm Springs. "He was so handsome," she said, and I loved her for saying it.

I still do that first magic trick you taught me. And wow- years later, backstage at Caesars Palace, I'd do it for none other than ORSEN WELLS, who chuckled and asked, "Where'd you learn that trick?" I proudly replied, "My brother. He was a magician." You were.

How many times on the set of 'Las Vegas' did I see you in the likeable star JOSH DUHAMEL, and how weird I must have seemed when he'd come over and say 'Hi," and I'd just stare, missing you. There are times I have to look away from the television, when the handsome Australian surgeon comes on screen to talk to Dr. House. And young JOSH HENDERSON, especially when his hair was longer and lighter, is just about impossible for me to look at, but I've found a way to cheat tears. I'm using him as a character in my new novel, bringing you back to life if only on my Mac and if only for me.

A guy told me once to always do your best and to go out of the house looking your best because you never know who is watching. That was you-you told me that, teaching me how to dress, reminding me that grooming isn't for sissies. Well, I took your advice but you didn't. You took your life.

There are tough-as-nails guys like writer STEVE FRIESS, living life out loud. My friends in the LGBT community should be proud of men like Steve, and they are. Me too.

To anyone who thinks that life sucks because you're different: Call someone, hell, call me (702.808.6306).
To anyone who feels bullied because you're not like the others: Tell someone, hell, tell everyone.

And to anybody who is thinking that life isn't worth it: Please think about those who will be left behind and then live, live another day. I'm begging you. Please.




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TAKE IT EASY

It happened again.

"Do you know who you remind me of?" The question was simple but I've heard it too many times before. It had ugly implications. The sweet voice of a pretty young thing called out to me as I crossed the lobby of Las Vegas resort this afternoon. Okay, here we go. I turned back to her and smiled.

"You ever watch MTV? The Kardashians? The reality show?" All of her sentences were going up at the end. Not good.

"Sure." I said.

"You know Brodie? From 'The Hills?' Brodie Jenner?"

"Yup" I was hoping it'd drop there, that she wouldn't go up.

"You know his dad? Bruce? Bruce Jenner? THAT'S who you remind me of."

Ouch.


I don't think that it's a very good idea to compare people you meet to the famous folks you see on TV. I do think it's a handy shortcut when describing a friend to another friend. You know, like when you're trying to get your buddy to ask out your girlfriend's friend, go ahead and compare her to some celebrity. I know that you've done it before and I'll bet when you did you made a point to compare the girl to a way hotter celebrity. You did.

How about when you are trying to get your buddy a date. You lie like hell. You do. You compare him to JARED LETO and you have no so-called idea in life who JARED LETO is. Or you'll say, "He looks kinda like that X-Man actor, JAMES MARSDEN. You liar. You just said that because your friend happens to have cool sunglasses.

But, and here's the thing-when you tell someone that they remind you of someone famous? Take it easy!

There's a young, up-and-coming singer I know, a helluva great looking model named KADEN McNEIL. Great guy, fine voice, cool look. He's really something this guy, but maybe I'm weird because when writing about him, I feel NO need to compare him to anybody. (Besides, if you want, just check Google Images for KADEN McNEIL).


I mean, what if I had said to the girl in the lobby, "Have you ever seen a young Lauren Bacall, I mean, back when she was was first starting out and really glamorous? Well, the guy she was married to? Humphrey Bogart? You look just like him!"

My point: She could have left it with Brodie.

I've met people who feel the need to tell me that I remind them of Superman, only to add, "Not the TV one or the new one, but the guy who ended up in the wheelchair."

I mean, that's just super, man. Thanks.

Now I have a great sense of humor. I do. I look in the mirror everyday, right out of the shower, and I have a full-length mirror. I know what's doin' believe me.

I just think that if you feel compelled to tell someone that they look like someone else, then, like that song says: Take It Easy.


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TALKING ABOUT WRITING

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When you're working on a writing project, it usually isn't good to talk too much about it because you risk telling-and not writing-the story.

That said, I always like it when writer friends tell me what they're working on and I never hesitate to talk about my stuff, especially novels which are so complex. I know a girl who likes me to tell her what I'm writing and I like doing it. It helps to say what I think I'm writing. Of course, you run the risk of boring the shit out of people by talking about writing so I usually wait to be asked...



What's that? You want to hear about my latest novel? I thought you'd never ask.


'CONDO: THE STORY OF HOW LAS VEGAS GOT HIGH' is about a bunch of cool people who live in a Las Vegas condominium project called La Mirage. The story begins in the late 1980's and goes up to today.

Roy Richards is a 30-something attorney with one client: La Mirage Condominiums, which, on page one, is inherited by a 20-year old Mormon guy named Brad Hughes. Brad is drunk, high, completely stoned and pretty much naked throughout the first 100 pages of the book, so he's not what you'd call a "good Mormon."

Early in the story, a beautiful dancer-Kerri Dozier-moves into La Mirage and takes a job at Jubilee at Bally's on the Las Vegas Strip.

My favorite character is a guy named Chy Rivers. Chy is a "kept man," a popular young lounge singer who is taken care of by an exotic and beautiful Saudi princess. Chy is "impossibly handsome," more beautiful than anyone at La Mirage, or in Las Vegas for that matter. He's better looking than the women he dates and he dates loads of really hot women.

There is a disabled retired gentleman, an old mob physican named Dr. Romano, who wheels through the story, freely prescribing pills and dispensing wisdom as he goes. Lainie Penn is a dark and beautiful ex-hooker and well-connected pot dealer. Anderi is a Russian circus performer who becomes the personal chauffeaur to the top female singer on the Las Vegas Strip.

Roy Richards got himself into trouble with the state bar association but Roy's an honorable guy with powerful friends so he's not hard to cheer for. Plus he is me so I like him. Brad Hughes was a little hard to get a handle on, until I just let go. It turns out that young Brad is crazy as shit and funny as hell.

WHAT ABOUT CHY?

Kerri Dozier is based on a dancer I knew-and loved-and Lainie Penn isn't too far removed from a tough chick I've known for a long time. Now I'll admit that the name Chy Rivers has been in my head for years. I knew a cool kid in high school named Chy and I always liked water-based last names but, the more I wrote, the harder it became for me to see this guy, to really create an interesting person and not just a character. I mean, a lady's man with loads of swagger? A guy who is 'kept' by the daughter of Saudi Prince so wealthy that the family can't even count their money? I mean, what does THAT guy look like?

When I was first writing Roy Richards I caught a break. I was talking about the book to a girl I know and the next day, she brought me a men's magazine and pointed out the actor JASON BEHR. He starred in that TV show 'Roswell' a few years back. Cool looking dude. She looks at me and says, "I think he's nice. Is this what Roy Richards looks like ? " I smiled at her. "He does now." I was deep into the first draft and could see all of my characters so clearly, except Chy Rivers. I mean, the guy was just too perfect. The women of La Mirage come out on their balconies every afternoon just to watch Chy walk to the mailboxes. Like a male (mail?) version of the Girl From Ipanema, ya know? 100% straight but admired by the guys at La Mirage too. Oh, he's not only a hunk, but dude's got a sweet voice. He sings at Cleopatra's Barge at Caesars Palace.

Well, I kept writing and as I did, the story of Las Vegas going high rise just fell into place for me. I mean, many nights I'd write until sunup, trying to keep up with it all until finally, I finished the first draft. Nearly 900 pages and wow, we have a good story.


I set aside 'Condo: The Story of How Las Vegas Got High' and co-wrote some exciting projects including a 'live' stage show. a TV pilot and also a pretty cool thing for my pretty cool friend VALENTINO. Then I created something new for the young actor and magician R.J. CANTU. You see, R.J. had me write some special material for his Magic Castle show and once that was complete, I wrote a piece called 'Vampires in Vegas,' turing the likeable boy next-door into a horrible guy underground. They are going to film 'Vampires in Vegas' later this year. Unlike recent vampire stories, I swear that this one will scare the shit out of you for serious.

Now, I'm back at it, trying to complete the final draft of my novel this year. Man I'm glad I'd set it aside. Here's what happened:

Remember the girl who gave me the magazine with the handsome actor JASON BEHR? I'm lucky to have a friend who likes to hear what I'm writing, someone with taste and, ya know, who'll put up with me. So one night, she puts in a movie, one I just knew was gonna be lame and I say, "Wait. Who is THAT?" She smiled. "His name is JOSH HENDERSON but you'll probably call him 'Chy.' " She was right. Turns out that the cool looking kid from Desperate Housewives can sing. And he's got moves!

Unlike TIGER WOODS, I never watched Desperate Housewives but I saw JOSH HENDERSON work the room at a Las Vegas club a while back and I knew when I watched the crowd that night that Josh had "it."

Now let's be clear: I'm not talking about about how cool and talented JOSH HENDERSON is. No sir. I'm talking about writing. This is about how talented I am. Well, me and also my cool friend who talks to me about what I'm writing. Okay, and a little bit about Josh too, but look, how 'bout a little love tonight okay? The writer never gets much credit, and that's probably fair because most of us are dorks.

I'm re-working the ending of my novel now and in the process I've gotten so involved with each of the characters that they have become real to me. Some of the people are idealized versions of old friends, others are based on new friends. Many of them I totally made up but here's the truth: I dig them.

I dig them all.


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