The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast

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 in Myron’s Cabaret at 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, collaborating 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 Nelson 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.
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Talking With Dalton Hicks – August 11, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with rising country artist Dalton Hicks, performing at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country on August 15. 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.
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Talking With Fielding West – August 4, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes award-winning magician and showbiz veteran Fielding West, fresh from being honored at the inaugural Global Magicians Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas.
In this revealing and entertaining conversation, Fielding shares how his magical journey began at the age of nine—sparked by a life-changing gift from his grandfather to help him overcome learning disabilities. That spark eventually led to a bold decision: dropping out of graduate school after a chance encounter with none other than Steve Martin. After driving the comedy icon to a gig and watching him perform, Fielding knew his true calling was on stage, not in a classroom.
Fielding dives into the art of misdirection, the thrill of discovering magic’s secrets, and the pure joy of an audience's reaction. He shares the hilarious origin of his unique sense of humor—including a childhood prank involving a whoopee cushion—and talks candidly about performing today while managing COPD with an oxygen concentrator, calling it the “bullet catch” for aging magicians.
He also reflects on the legendary “magician’s graveyard,” names his top three magicians in history, and offers heartfelt insights into his decades-long friendship with master magi-cian Lance Burton.
It’s a magical, moving, and memorable episode you won’t want to miss.
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Talking With Rae Radick – July 28, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira is joined by Nashville-based singer-songwriter Rae Radick, performing “Iconic Women of Music” at Backstage Bar & Billiards on September 17.

Rae’s journey is as bold as the voices she honors—from singing and dancing at age three to releasing her first album at fifteen. After a decade of performing in New York, she followed her heart to Nashville, just as the world started reopening post-COVID. Now, she’s living her dream—and inviting us all along for the ride.
In this episode, Rae opens up about:
*How performing keeps her fit (yes, it's her workout)

*Why taking risks is essential—and failure isn't fatal
*The inspiration behind “Iconic Women of Music,” a passion project turned professional tribute
*How she picks and paces the icons she honors—from Dolly to Whitney—and lets audience feedback help shape future shows

*Why she’s not an impersonator, but a performer celebrating the legends

*Why a live band is non-negotiable for her—and how art, for her, is all about community
Plus, Rae shares her dream of landing a Las Vegas residency, what it’s like debuting in Vegas, and how she crafts a high-energy, one-woman show that’s “a party from start to finish.”
It’s an honest, inspiring, and full of heart conversation. Join us!
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