Back to one  of  my  favorite  destinations,  Las Vegas!  No,  I  don't gamble, or drink or take one of the "little cards" they pass out on the street! I save my time and energy to see some incredible live shows while visiting. This year was no exception. Three wonderful musical productions, plus a trip to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam (see post below for GC and Hoover Dam)! The first night, I saw the group "Human  Nature"  at the ritzy  Venetian Hotel.  Smoky  Robinson  is backing these  4 Aussie's and they are fabulous entertainers.  They specialize in the Motown era, and sing and dance up a storm. Check them out when you're in Vegas. The next evening, it was the premiere of   "Georgia On My Mind"  the  music  of Ray Charles,  presented by Clint Holmes, Take 6 and Kirk Wallum and the Las Vegas Mass Choir. Wow!  It felt like church no matter what song they sang!  Ray Charles was a true genius, and these pros did a great job in saluting him. The final evening,  one of my all-time favorite  female vocalists,  the iconic Diana Ross performing at Caesar's Palace. She performed with a nine piece band,  3 background  singers  and made 5 wardrobe  changes! Singing hits from the Supreme's,  the disco era, ballads and blues, all in the grace and style of the legend she is! Bravo!  What a blessing to me these shows were!

Last night,  the legendary  Ronnie Milsap  performed live at the Midland Theater in Newark, Ohio. Milsap first hit the country charts over 40 years ago, and has collected an amazing 40 #1 records, mainly from the mid 70s thru late 80s. Now over 70 years old,  this gifted vocalist continues to tour,  release new music on occasion and keeps his fans entertained. Last night, was a great example of the showmanship of this great entertainer.  The curtain opened with Ronnie,  who was blind from birth, seated at the piano and he  and his 5 piece band plus  female background vocalist (pictured here), kicked  off on a memory  filled 80 minutes of music.  Opening with  "Prisoner of the Highway", Ronnie continued through a great set of songs including "There Ain't No Gettin' Over Me,"  "Any Day Now,"  "What a Difference  You've Made In My Life", "Stranger In My House",  and closing with  "Smokey Mountain Rain". Although the voice has weathered through the years, and the high notes aren't there anymore, Milsap still provided a wonderful trip back in time.

Caught 60s and 70s phenom, Engelbert Humperdinck in concert at the Florida Theater in downtown Jacksonville while on vacation. Now 77 years old, Humperdinck can still sing and perform flawlessly. At first I thought he had gone "country" with so many classic country songs in his live performance catalog.  Songs like "Release Me", "Welcome to My World',  "There Goes My Everything"   and  "Am  I That Easy  to Forget" all had a country flair.  Throw in his other hits like  "After the Lovin'",  "This Moment  in  Time",  "A Man Without Love"  "Quando, Quando, Quando" and "The Last Waltz" and the audience was easily won over the whole night.

Two night later, 70s and 80s icon,  Barry Manilow brought his amazing show to the Jacksonville Arena. Manilow along with 10 piece band and 3 vocalists  dazzled fo r over 90 minutes.  Blasting through hit after hit, including "Even Now",  "Looks Like We Made It", "Can't Smile Without You",  "It's  A  Miracle",  "Could  It  Be  Magic"...uh YOU  GET  THE PICTURE!!  Other highlights  included an engaging  segment where a very  young  Barry  was  unsuccessfully  encouraged  to  sing  for  his grandfather  at a  little recording  shop. Glitzy show numbers like "Jump, Shout, Boogie" and a closer featuring three classics, "Mandy", "At the Copa"  and  "I  Write  the  Songs".  Much  has  been  written  about Manilow's  personal  appearance,  however  the  reason  his  mouth doesn't  open  as  wide as normal is due to a couple of jaw surgeries, not  too  many facelifts! LOL  This show was better than the show he did in Las Vegas that I saw 2 years ago.

The big hit movie of the 1980's has found its' way  back to the public conscience, this time in the form  of a  Broadway  Musical. While the story and  dialogue  follow  the movie script pretty accurately, it's the music that has  been  changed. Five of the original songs were kept, including "What A Feeling"  and "Gloria"  but most of the songs were especially written for the stage. It's  the  new  songs,  and  there  are many, where things tend to get bogged down.  In fact, the show runs pretty long at nearly 2 hours 15  minutes plus  intermission. Overall, I enjoyed the show.  The  dancers  were  good,  the  lead  actress was adequate, and gave it her all, and she was pretty worn out by the last scene! Two friends of mine, who attend shows regularly, both dissed it terribly. Is it "The Lion King"  caliber?  Hardly. But, for  a  night  on the town in Columbus. Not bad.

Had the rare opportunity  to see comic icon Bill Cosby at the Palace Theater last Friday night.  At  76  years  old,  Mr.  Cosby  is still making   us   laugh,   without   the   use   of obscenities! Drawing on his many years and experiences  of  life,  The  Cos   draws  the audience in,  and  you  feel  like  your  best buds sitting  in his living room!  Wearing an Ohio State t-shirt, Mr. Cosby entertained for over  2  hours.  The  near  capacity  crowd roared  with laughter through out the night!

Caught    Rod   Stewart's   show   at   Caesar's   Palace   on Wednesday night. He and his 14 piece band are magnificent on the concert stage. Although I only have his "Greatest Hits" album in  my collection,  Stewart  has a fine catalog of songs, including  "Have  I  Told  You  Lately  That  I  Love  You" and "Forever  Young".  One  of  the  highlights  of   the acclaimed British-born  star's  act is his  kicking  of soccer  balls into the audience at every show.  I was sitting on the  front row of the first balcony. Got It!!   He's got a great  leg and I got a soccer ball!

Saw comedian George  Wallace  on Tuesday night. He's a genuinely funny man, who manages to keep you in stiches for almost 2 solid hours, and he doesn't drop the "F" bomb like nearly all so called comedians  do today. In addition to his Las Vegas residency at the Flamingo, Mr. Wallace has also done television appearances on Tyler Perry produced shows.

Also  on  Tuesday  evening,  I witnessed  master  illusionist David Copperfield. Most of the performance I sat there with a  dumb  look  on  my  face  wondering how he did that! He made cars appear, people disappear from the stage only to re-emerge in the audience  and   he's doing some high tech stunts  that  are  simply  amazing  and  you  have  to see to believe!  The   language  was  salty  in  places,  and  totally unnecessary,   but   overall   the   illusions   were   pretty incredible!

On  Monday  night,  I went to  see  "Dancing Queen"  a musical featuring the music of Abba and several others from  the disco era.  The cast  was made up  of 2 male singers,  2  female  singers,  6  male  dancers  and  10 female dancers. It was Vegas meets disco! Glam and glitter,  song and dance. The show  is fast paced  and  features   great  songs   like   "Mamma Mia",   "I Will Survive",  "Car Wash"  and  "It's Raining Men".  Fun show!

Tuesday night I arrived for the first of four Broadway shows in New York City.   The first show was "Motown - the Musical" the Berry Gordy Story. Berry Gordy   was the force behind Motown Records in the 60s, 70s and 80s. He brought an amazing array of talented people to the masses, including Diana Ross,    Stevie Wonder,    Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 just to name a few. The story is interspersed   with amazing music tributes to the artists of the time. It's a great show, telling one of America's best musical  rags to riches  to struggles story.

Wednesday afternoon, it was a date with Emmy-award  winning  actress  Cicely Tyson   in  the   drama,   "The Trip  to Bountiful" in a limited engagement. The story   revolves   around   Ms.  Tyson's character who  longs  to  return  to  her home of Bountiful, TX. The cast featured award winning singer Vanessa Williams as the over-bearing daughter-in-law, and "Dukes of Hazard" star,  Tom Wopat in the  role  of   the  kindly  sheriff.  The production was poignant, as anyone who has dealt with eldercare issues can testify to.

Wednesday   night,   it  was  Disney's production of "Newsies". The story was about the newspaper strike around the start of the 20th  century in New York City, by their young newsies (carriers). The music  and  the  energy  of  these young   guys  is  so  heartwarming  to watch. The story is well-written, but it's the singing, dancing  and  tap dancing that steals the show. Don't miss this one when it comes to your town!

My last evening, Thursday, I took in the off-beat  production  of   "Kinky Boots."  The music was written by Cindy Lauper and  was  surprisingly  very, very good. The story is one, of two main characters trying to  discover  who  they  really  are down  deep  inside.  In this case, it's the young   newly  minted   president   of   a family  shoe  business  who's  trying   to save the fortunes of the company, while the other is a  young drag queen,  trying to  discover  his/her hidden  talents  and dreams. A great production actually with lots of camp, comedy and of course some oh so fabulous boots!

The  classic  showman,  Mr.  Roy Clark came to  Renfro Valley, Ky. last night for a 90 minute look back over  a  50  year  storied  career! Never lacking for humor, Clark told stories and jokes while dropping in an instrumental favorite or a vocal hit   from   some   years   back. Featured   songs   included, "Yesterday, When I Was Young," "Thank God and Greyhound," and "Come Live with Me."

Saturday  night,  August  3rd,  Hillsong  Live  played  the stage of the Celeste  Center  with  their  anointed   brand  of  worship  music  and Christian  rock.   It  was   amazing   to   see  the  youth  in  particular, expressing  vibrantly  worship  and praise to the Creator and His son, Jesus Christ all at the Ohio State Fair. The band is from Australia and is touring in  support of their  newest CD, "Glorious Ruins."  It was the first time any of them had ever been to a state fair in the USA!

Friday night, August 2nd, it was country music night at the Ohio State Fair with headliners  The Oak Ridge Boys,  along with  Crystal  Gayle and Larry Gatlin  & the Gatlin Brothers.  Gayle and  Gatlin were good, but clearly the night belonged to the Oak's. Their fast-paced 90 minute set,  featured  songs  from  their  40 year  catalog. This was their 16th performance  at the  state fair,  and  surpassed  Bob  Hope whose 15 appearances held the record for years!

Friday   night, July  26th the  little  lady with  the mega  voice,   Martina McBride hit the stage for a nearly 2 hour show. Showcasing her range of vocals and styles, McBride tore it up and gave her all in every song. Singing  her  biggest  hits  from the years,  a few from her latest album "Eleven," and  some  great country  standards,  Martina had the crowd on its' feet several times with standing ovations! Great show!

Hip hop  may rule  the charts,  but there's still some great old school  soul and rhythm 'n blues  to be had in the voice of Eric Benet. Benet charmed  the crowd on  Thursday night , July 25th at the Ohio State fair's  concert   pavilion.  HIs   showmanship   is to  be   seen  to  be appreciated.  His  vocals  are   smooth and  his  music  is fun.  Very enjoyable concert and good time had by all!

Well, time for my annual trip to the mountain of Joyce Meyer, this  time appropriately  nestled in the  Cascades of Portland,  Oregon. She  was "on fire" all four sessions this  week! Preaching  and teaching from  her upcoming book,  "God Is Not  Mad At You,"  on  Thursday night, Joyce taught sin  was  not our  biggest  problem,  unbelief was.  Imploring the audience to simply take God at His word and BELIEVE HIM. Joyce also traced  the  roots  of our  false  belief  that  God is mad  at us.  Angry or demanding  parents, church  rules and  regulations,  and rejection from others all contribute  to our skewed  and flawed belief system.

Friday morning, Joyce expounded more on "What Our Attitude Should Be Toward Sin." A mature believer can face their sin, head on, and not be or feel condemned. A mature  believer understands that sin doesn't hurt God, it hurts us! God gives  us guide lines for our  benefit, not His, so we grow to know that  God's  way for us will only encourage us and benefit us in all areas of life!

Friday night,  Joyce  shared  the message, "A Performance Mentality." Joyce exhorted the  crowd  to "stop counting what you do wrong, stop counting what you do  right...just rest!" Matthew 11:28-30, the familiar passage, "Come unto me (Jesus) all who are weary and I will give you rest...etc" Just knowing  the truth and  love of  Christ, that  even  if you don't do everything right, God will still be there to work with you!"

On Saturday, Joyce  wrapped up  the meeting  with  the  message, "A Cure for the Insecure." Teaching us to move from our own insecurities and failures, into  trusting Christ who  will truly bring us confidence, joy and security. Again,  believing the  Word of God  and acting on it.  We have authority over the devil; God's grace IS sufficient everytime; I am the  righteousness  of God in  Christ and finally Jesus said, "He would never leave us or forsake us."