The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, R&B Pioneer Award winner, and original founding member of Sly & the Family Stone, Jerry Martini joins “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira” for a conversation celebrating one of the most influential bands in music history. Jerry, along with Phunne Stone and The Family Stone, will perform in Myron's at The Smith Center August 8, bringing the legendary music of Sly & the Family Stone to a new generation of fans.
Jerry shares what has fueled his remarkable career for more than six decades and why he's determined to "bop till I drop." He reflects on growing up with Sly Stone, watching his childhood friend become a popular Bay Area DJ, and witnessing the birth of a musical revolution when Sly assembled Sly & the Family Stone in December 1965. Jerry recalls believing from the very beginning that Sly was a musical genius, reveals that the band's first performance together was in Las Vegas, and remembers how entertainment legends regularly packed their shows.
The conversation also explores the band's surprising love of country music, the artists who inspired Jerry—including Ray Charles and Billy Preston—and how Sly & the Family Stone forever changed popular music by blending rock, funk, soul, and R&B into a groundbreaking sound. From timeless classics like "Dance to the Music," "Everyday People," and "Hot Fun in the Summertime" to behind-the-scenes stories few fans have ever heard, this episode is a celebration of music, friendship, innovation, and a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
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SAVING A LAS VEGAS TREASURE: THE MISSION TO PRESERVE HOWARD HUGHES' HISTORIC GREEN HOUSE

Some buildings tell stories. Others make history.

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes three of Southern Nevada's foremost historians and preservation advocates—Amber Colbert, Administrator of the Clark County Museum; legendary journalist and broadcaster Bob Stoldal; and Geoff Schumacher, Director of Research, Collections & Programs at The Mob Museum—to discuss one of the most significant historic preservation projects ever undertaken in Las Vegas: relocating Howard Hughes' legendary Green House from the KLAS-TV property to the Clark County Museum.

The Green House is far more than an old building. It represents the moment when one of America's most mysterious billionaires helped transform Las Vegas forever.

Together, Amber, Bob, and Geoff explain how this ambitious preservation effort came together, why Howard Hughes' Green House deserves to be saved, what it will cost to relocate it, and why community support is essential to making the project a reality.

Listeners and viewers will discover why Howard Hughes changed the trajectory of Southern Nevada, how this historic home tells the story of his remarkable influence on the city, and why Bob believes it's the only significant structure Hughes purchased that still survives today. Geoff shares why the Green House offers a unique way to tell the Hughes story—from its origins in the early 1950s. Bob recalls how Hughes witnessed the construction of KLAS-TV nearby—and why preserving it matters for future generations. Amber remembers being approached by KLAS-TV about moving the historic house shortly after taking over as museum administrator, and the benefits of the move for school children to learn about history.

The conversation also explores the emotional experience each guest had walking through the historic home, Howard Hughes' surprising comfort in Las Vegas compared with Los Angeles, his astonishing purchase of six Strip hotels in just 13 months, the Clark County Museum Guild's 50th anniversary fundraising campaign, and the goal of moving the house to its permanent new home by the end of 2028.

If you love Las Vegas history, Howard Hughes, historic preservation, or the stories behind the city's remarkable transformation, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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LAS VEGAS SPORTS, FORMULA 1, THE A'S STADIUM & BICYCLE SAFETY: ALAN SNEL ON THE FUTURE OF SPORTS IN VEGAS

This week on "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira welcomes Alan Snel, founder and publisher of LVSportsBiz.com, for an insightful conversation about the business of sports, transportation, and the rapid evolution of Las Vegas as a global sports destination.
Alan discusses how Governor Joe Lombardo's widely publicized failure to come to a complete stop at a red light unexpectedly sparked a broader conversation about bicycle safety throughout Southern Nevada—a cause that is deeply personal to him after being struck by cars two different times, including a an incident four years ago. He explains why rolling through stop signs has become far too common and why improving awareness benefits everyone who shares the road.
The conversation also dives into the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's major investment in Formula 1, including its newly approved ten-year sponsorship agreement worth $10 million annually. Alan examines both the advantages and concerns surrounding the deal, along with the F1’s road safety campaign tied to Formula 1.
Ira and Alan also discuss the latest progress on the Athletics' future Las Vegas ballpark, why Alan believes the team's biggest challenges are currently on the field rather than at the construction site, and how the stadium project continues to move forward smoothly. Alan also reflects on founding LVSportsBiz.com in 2017 and shares his vision for what's next as Las Vegas continues its remarkable rise as one of the world's premier sports and enter-tainment destinations.
Whether you're a sports fan, Las Vegas enthusiast, cyclist, or interested in the business behind major sporting events, this episode offers an informed look at the forces shaping the city's future.
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FROM COCKTAIL WAITRESS TO FINANCIAL LITERACY CHAMPION: DANA JUNE SHARES THE MONEY LESSONS EVERY SERVICE WORKER NEEDS

What happens when someone who's spent years working in Nevada's hospitality industry realizes that earning good money doesn't always lead to financial security?
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes Dana June, founder of How 2 Cocktale and author of "How 2 Cocktale: A Money Manifesto for the Service Industry." After more than a decade as a cocktail waitress, Dana experienced a life-changing realization during the COVID shutdown: thousands of hardworking service industry pro-fessionals know how to earn money—but few have ever been taught how to keep it, grow it, or build lasting wealth.
Dana shares her personal journey, inspired in part by watching both her own career and her mother's decades in the casino industry. She explains why financial literacy is still missing from many schools, how the casino environment can create an "easy money in, easy money out" mindset, and why too many longtime hospitality employees reach re-tirement age without savings or a 401(k).
The conversation explores practical strategies for living below your means, understanding your true financial needs, and creating long-term stability even when your income fluctuates from tips and shifts. Dana also discusses why employers should provide financial education and how businesses benefit when employees become financially confident.

Whether you work in hospitality, gaming, restaurants, tourism—or simply want to im-prove your relationship with money—this episode offers practical advice, eye-opening insights, and inspiration to take control of your financial future.
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