Earl Turner can bring down the house, and bring the house together.
The fab showman was swept up in the moment during his show Friday night at Myron’s. Turner mentioned his keyboard player Giloh Morgan’s son during the performance. Kaeleb Morgan is in his early 20s, and joined the Army in December. He is stationed in North Carolina, and was to be deployed within the week.
Turner said as he spoke of Morgan’s family, “I could feel something change in the room,” and veered from the set list to sing “America the Beautiful.” He pulled the mic down and delivered the song a capella. The crowd slowly rose to sing along.
“I think a lot of us are feeling a little uneasy these days. Maybe even a little on edge,” Turner said in a message to his fans, which included a clip of him singing the song. “We don’t all agree on everything—and we probably never will. But sometimes I think we need to be reminded that we are much more alike than we are different.”
Turner has mastered the stage since he premiered at the Mint Lounge in the late-’80s. His next Myron’s show is Oct. 2. He always brings the passion, whether scripted or not.
Trick or Sweets
On the topic of Myron’s …
Vegas burlesque favorite Melody Sweets is set for Halloween-themed debauchery (tickets are onsale at TheSmithCenter.com). Dance to the séance as Sweets unearths some Screamin’Jay Hawkins and Eartha Kitt. She’s also dressing up some Alice Cooper and Nancy Sinatra (this HAS to be the “boots” song).
Sweets always brings a crackin’ band: Robert John Kley on stand-up bass, Sergio Adame on trumpet, Andrew Weir on guitar, Andrew “The Fury” Friedlander on saxophone, Marshawn Fondren on drums and Michael Spadoni (is fun to say) on piano. Buttercup, Maude Zoleum and Cervena Fox are Sweets’ burlesque “ghoulfriends,” as she says.
This is the first Halloween show at Myron’s for Sweets, who originated the Green Fairy role in“Absinthe,” so dress — and behave — accordingly.
Tease this …
Red, and hot, and even chili is reportedly peppering a Las Vegas venue in the not-so-distant future… Stay tuned …
What not to count on …
David Lee Roth participating at all in Sammy Hagar’s “Best of All Worlds” residency when the show returns Sept. 18-26. Hagar’s invitation for Roth to join this band was a noble gesture. And also totally out of the question.
Cool Hang Alert
“Bolero — The Show,” the Latin-themed, song-and-dance production, is back at Plaza Showroom at6 p.m. (doors) and 7:30 (show) Saturday. The singing, music and (naturally) dancers are all live. The production continues its extended engagement Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Sept. 19, and Oct. 3. Go to plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/bolero/ for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at[email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.