McBeath has become Vegas’ Cosmopolitan Cowboy
The man who was so instrumental in keeping the National Finals Rodeo in our city sits high in the saddle, overlooking the strip from his office at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Bill McBeath, the hotel’s president and chief executive officer, will mark his two-year anniversary there Dec. 19. But in the winter of 2013, in his role as chairman of the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees, McBeath helped tie down the deal that kept NFR in Las Vegas through 2024.
McBeath well remembers those tight and tense negotiations between Las Vegas officials and members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The NFR honchos were being pursued by a stampede from Osceola County, Florida; only a late push by both factions kept the NFR in Las Vegas for another 10-year run.
“The bottom line is, whether it was a bluff or not, there was a legitimate alternative as a destination,” McBeath says. “I think they were not good options for the long-term vitality of the National Finals Rodeo, not with what Las Vegas can offer.”
McBeath’s affiliation with the NFR dates to his days as an executive at the Golden Nugget in the ’80s, soon after the rodeo moved to Las Vegas from Oklahoma City. His appreciation of rodeo history and tradition is now mixed with his sense of advanced resort design and amenities: Just steps from the Cosmopolitan’s chic and sparkly Chandelier bar is a sports book decked out in a rodeo motif for its nightly NFR viewing parties.
McBeath chuckles at the advent of his Cosmo Cowtown.
“Look, the Cosmopolitan is never going to be country-western, but it’s certainly rodeo-friendly,” he says. “I think that is the great appeal of the Cosmopolitan. With our high quality and consistency in service, you don’t have to have sawdust on the floor for rodeo fans to appreciate the experience.”
OPENING LINES
Journey keyboardist and composer Jonathan Cain headlined an unusual gig Wednesday night: A wine dinner at Double Helix at Town Square. The event was fundraiser for ARTTEC, the Las Vegas-based career training program that pairs high school students with entertainment industry professionals for job experience in film, television` and music. Donations and purchases of Cain’s Finale Wine went to the organization.
Journey is back for a nine-show, extended engagement (we’re weaning ourselves from the term “mini-residency”) at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel next May. The band is being nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, long overdue for its legion of fans and band members. As Cain said, “We were never a favorite of the critics, back in the ’80s, but we’re finally being nominated for the Hall of Fame. It’s about time. All of our opening acts are already in.”
LON GONE
To borrow a phrase from legendary drive-in movie critic Joe Bob Briggs: Communist Alert! The Lon Bronson All-Star Band has ended its run at Club Madrid at Sunset Station. Bronson had been headlining the room on alternate Thursdays for much of this year (and had previously played there monthly), but fans were disappointed to find the room dark last week. Bronson was informed his gig was up at the end of November.
All Thursday entertainment in Club Madrid has also been halted, which would be a positive sign only if you are a bingo fan.
Heading into its 27th year in Las Vegas, the venerable “industrial strength” horn band is back at Cabaret Jazz on Jan. 13 and March 17. Bronson routinely sells out that room. A monthly residency would be a natural progression for the Bronson band.
HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Gotta love the built-in puns … Clint Holmeshas added some Christmas tunes to “Behind The Music” at Palazzo Theater beginning with his 7 p.m. show Sunday. He’s performing such seasonally themed songs as “We Three Kings,” “William the Angel,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Let It Snow.” The run covers a half-dozen shows ending Dec. 26.
Holmes has also been asked to sing on the upcoming 80th anniversary album by the Count Basie Orchestra, and spent Wednesday at Capitol Records recording a new version of his “At The Rendezvous.” Also in the studio: Anni-Frid Lyngstad, an original member of ABBA, who is friends with producer Gregg Field and might well be singing on the album, too.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
