Talk About LasVegas

09/15/2025

IT’S ALL BUSINESS IN VEGAS
AND ‘RICK’ VELOTTA COVERS IT!

Richard N. “Rick” Velotta, Assistant Business Editor at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins me on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/talking-with-richard-n-rick-velotta-september-15-2025/ & all your favorite platforms, including (https://youtu.be/yST21NtwNOQ).

Rick shares his insider’s perspective on the forces reshaping our city—from the explosion of professional sports teams, and the real possibility of an NBA franchise, to how the re-sort community may have pushed pricing a little too far.

We dig into the future of transportation with the underground Loop system and the long-awaited high-speed rail, plus how “speed dating” between airlines and destinations in an upcoming conference helps fuel growth. Rick also breaks down the top stories he’s track-ing this year: rising visitation, commodity markets crossing into sports betting, and the de-velopment of a supplemental airport at Ivanpah.

Along the way, Rick reflects on the resilience of Las Vegas—how we continually reinvent ourselves—and why he’s optimistic about both the city and the future of journalism here. He also talks about Terry Lanni, the late MGM Mirage CEO, as someone who he wishes he’d had more time to interview.

tourism

QUICK CLIP (Rick on the resilience of Las Vegas):

09/12/2025

Metro Police have launched an aggressive new traffic safety plan targeting the 12 most dangerous intersections. Given the decline of visitors, none of those intersections are on the Strip.

09/09/2025

RINGO MAKING VEGAS (AND OTHER) TOUR NEWS
PLUS ART, ALBUM AND BOOK!

Photo by Scott Robert Ritchie


https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/ringo-making-vegas-and-other-tour-news

09/08/2025

Humidity here
Not normal for our
Think we are all wet?

09/08/2025

Las tourism authorities are convinced that more people will come here because the “Fabulous Las Vegas” ad tested well before its airing. They will come if you change “Resort Fee” to “Resort Free.”

09/08/2025

NANCY KELLY JAZZIN’
VIC’S LAS VEGAS SEPT 19-20

Jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly, performing at Vic’s Las Vegas (September 19–20), joins me on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/talking-with-nancy-kelly-september-8-2025/ & all your favorite platforms, including (https://youtu.be/mO3GC6qF84M).

Known for her crystal-clear, no-nonsense style, Nancy shares why music—not showmanship—has always been her true love. She dives into the intimate connection between performer and audience, the humor (and humility) that jazz musicians carry, and why swing and bebop remain at the heart of her artistry.

Nancy also reflects on being groomed for the stage from an early age, the making of her latest album Be Cool, and her belief that jazz must stay rooted in the blues. Beyond perfor-mance, she opens up about her passion for teaching—showing young musicians how to truly back a singer—and why rhythm and the Great American Songbook continue to be her guiding lights.



QUICK CLIP (Nancy on the Great American Songbook):

08/27/2025

WHERE HAVE ALL THE VISITORS GONE?
LONG TIME PASSING

My column on getting our game back…

New day, new problem, and Las Vegas has to figure it out: Where have all the visitors gone?

08/25/2025

ALL THAT ANDY!
ANDY JAMES JAZZ ALBUM

Jazz artist Andy James (“Happy People” (Le Coq Records), joins me on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/talking-with-andy-james-august-25-2025/ & all your favorite platforms, including (https://youtu.be/8547orLlsJU).

Andy began her artistic journey as a flamenco dancer, studying in Australia and Spain be-fore performing worldwide. She talks about her family’s musical roots, the challenges of injuries, and meeting her husband—a classically trained pianist and former ballet dancer—during a rehearsal for Carmen.

Now based in Las Vegas, Andy shares how she draws inspiration from Chick Corea, crafts songs through collaboration, and recorded her new album across several cities over the course of a year. From the unpredictability of live performance to the quiet focus of meditation before a show, Andy brings passion, discipline, and artistry to every stage she steps on.



QUICK CLIP (What Andy wants people to get from her album):

08/18/2025

THE BEAT GOES ON
GREG ADAMS AT SMITH CENTER!

Trumpeter and arranger Greg Adams (with East Bay Soul) performing in Myron’s Cabaret at The Smith Center August 18, joins me on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/talking-with-greg-adams-august-18-2025/ & all your favorite platforms, including (https://youtu.be/nSJmG2ittS8).

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Grammy and Emmy-nominated trumpeter and arranger Greg Adams joins the conversation ahead of his August 22nd performance with East Bay Soul at Myron’s Cabaret in The Smith Center. From picking up the trumpet at an early age to taking over his high school band, Greg shares how his self-taught arranging skills led him to become a founding member of Tower of Power. He takes us behind the scenes of iconic moments—joining Elton John for the legendary Caribou sessions, working in the storied Capitol Records building, arranging with Quincy Jones, collaborat-ing with George Martin, and why Linda Ronstadt holds a special place in his heart.

Greg opens up about his “chameleon” approach to arranging—blending seamlessly with a singer’s voice, knowing when less is more, and drawing inspiration from greats like Nel-son Riddle. He reflects on “Back to Oakland” as his favorite Tower of Power album, his ability to balance the energy of live performance with the precision of studio work, and the joy of creating his latest album, “The Real,” with East Bay Soul,. Plus, he hints at why Las Vegas might just become a regular stop on his musical journey.



QUICK CLIP (Greg on his unique band):

08/11/2025

DALTON HICKS VEGAS DEBUT!
STONEY’S ROCKIN’ COUNTRY

Country artist Dalton Hicks, performing at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country August 15, joins me on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/talking-with-dalton-hicks-august-11-2025/ & all your favorite platforms, including (https://youtu.be/pe7nJyrSqjM).

Dalton opens up about the stories and grit behind his latest single, "Day By Day"—a song shaped by his rough life, self-reliance right after high school, and a “get up and keep moving” philosophy.

He shares how picking up a guitar at 17 turned a dream of becoming a marine biologist into a career as a songwriter and performer—without any studio backing. Raised a self-described “redneck,” Dalton was first inspired by his grandmother’s church music, even though it wasn’t country. In 2020, he released his debut song, and his first online hit, "I’m Still Here" (2024) put him on the map.

In this conversation, Dalton talks about his first-ever Vegas performance, his two-year bond with his band (including the funny tattoo story of how they met), recording in Nashville versus the rush of a live audience, his admiration for Thomas Rhett as a family man, and his ultimate dream—to one day stand on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He’s not chasing fame—he’s chasing the chance to motivate people through his music. And when he’s on stage, this “country boy” pours his whole heart into every note.



QUICK CLIP (Dalton on how I’m Still Here blow up on TikTok):

08/07/2025

There’s a long wait ahead for the next step on a new Las airport. Can’t be as long waiting for a ride at the old airport.

08/06/2025

Tariffs and out-of-control pricing are being blamed for the decline in Las visitation. Couldn’t it be as simple as it’s too damn hot?